Japan's triumphant women's World Cup team arrives home to heroes' welcome

[AsahinaKimi]

Members of Japan's national women's soccer team including captain Homare Sawa, second from right, head toward immigration after landing at Narita International Airport on the morning of July 19. (Mainichi)

The Japan women's soccer team returned home to a heroes' welcome on July 19, as fans gathered at Narita International Airport shouted "Thank you!" and "Congratulations!" after the side's stunning victory in the final against the United States on July 17 in Germany.




Triumphant return: Japanese women's soccer coach Norio Sasaki (center) holds the Women's World Cup trophy as he poses for a photograph with the team during a news conference in Tokyo on Tuesday. AP



More than 400 fans came to greet the "Nadeshiko Japan" squad -- named for a mountain flower meant to symbolize grace and beauty -- despite the early hour and rain brought by an approaching typhoon. The crowd had only a few moments to see the champions as they walked from the arrivals gate to a waiting bus, but they made the most of it.

"I felt invigorated," one of the players said of the fans' enthusiastic welcome.

The team's plane was scheduled to land at around 8 a.m., and by 6.a.m. there were already about 30 well-wishers waiting in the arrivals lobby of Narita's Terminal 1, equipped with a congratulatory banner and national flags.

more..
http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20110719p2a00m0na012000c.html


'Nadeshiko' Japan feted upon return
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/sw20110720a1.html

Win energizes disaster victims / Evacuees cheered by Nadeshiko's never-say-die spirit at World Cup
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T110719005278.htm



Japan captain Homare Sawa vowed Tuesday to go for gold at next year’s London Olympics as her squad returned home to a hero’s welcome following their historic triumph at the women’s World Cup.

Japan women eye World Cup/Olympics double
http://www.japantoday.com/category/sports/view/japan-women-eye-world-cupolympics-double

[MerryBlooms]

1. Beaut. pic

It was such a great game - we were on the edge of our seats and then late for a party when it went into OT. We were rooting for the US team, but cheered when Japan won. Amazing talent and really good to see the match get such great coverage and support.

[AsahinaKimi]

3. I think how wonderful it is to boost the spirits

of people who are still in the Shelters, or have had to be evacuated, or having to deal with the hardships of the previous disaster. The team played for them, to pick up Japan's spirit. You know those people have had one big day for smiles.

[MadMaddie]

9. It really was a great game

They all played honorably, no cheesy fake dives, no real griping to the refs. The U.S had 15 shots on goal and couldn't put them in....I have played in plenty of soccer games when it just wasn't going to happen....that's soccer...

[malaise]

2. I predicted your pics

Nice

:rofl:

[AsahinaKimi]

4. Yes.. thank you for your

wonderful support. :hug:

[malaise]

5. Back at you sis

I'm happy for you and the team :grouphug:

[AsahinaKimi]

6. Kicking for more

photo exposure!

Japan's World Cup triumph an inspiration for now and the future

The morning of July 18 was a happy one in Japan, energizing the entire country. The Japanese people, faced with so much sorrow over recent months, were able to rejoice at the news that the national women's soccer team had defeated the top-ranked United States in the Women's Soccer World Cup final, bringing the championship to Japan for the first time.

The match, held in Germany, started at 3:45 a.m. Japan time, when most people are still in bed. However, for such a great event, there were many here that gave up sleep to stake out a place in front of the TV and cheer Japan's ladies on.

The odds were not in Japan's favor. The U.S. had won 21 of the two teams' 24 previous contests, with the remaining three matches ending in draws. In the World Cup final, too, Japan gave the lead to the U.S. not once but twice, fighting back to tie the score both times with tenacity and steadfast determination, finally forcing the game into a penalty shootout. At this do-or-die moment, Japan goalkeeper Ayumi Kaihori proved her mettle with a truly spectacular save, giving her side the chance to seal a worthy victory against a team called the best in the world.

more..
http://mdn.mainichi.jp/perspectives/news/20110719p2a00m0na008000c.html

[Lucinda]

7. Great to see good news for Japan. Thanks for the pics!

[AsahinaKimi]

8. most welcome!

and thank you! どうもありがとうございます！

[Scurrilous]

10. K & R

:thumbsup:

[rabs]

11. Late night kick

to give more DUers an opportunity to look at these wonderful photos.

AsahinaKimi, there are four trophies in the center photo. Coach is hold the World Cup, to his right is player with what appears to be most goal scorer trophey, to coach's left a player holding a golden shoe (MVP?) and to her left another trophey for what I don't know. Maybe sportsmanship trophy?

Anyway, congrats to "Nadeshiko Japan."

[miyazaki]

12. The Nadeshiko's secret training video leaked,

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNpjL8nJvYw>

B-)

[AsahinaKimi]

13. omoshiroi !

Sore wa yoi omoitsuki deshita! それはよいおもいつきでした！ Good idea!　

[Lithos]

14. they did good...

:thumbsup: