Japan women's national football team
Shirt badge/Association crest | |||
Nickname(s) | なでしこジャパン (Nadeshiko Japan)[1] | ||
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Association | Japan Football Association | ||
Confederation | AFC (Asia) | ||
Sub-confederation | EAFF (East Asia) | ||
Head coach | Norio Sasaki | ||
Captain | Homare Sawa | ||
Most caps | Homare Sawa (200) | ||
Top scorer | Homare Sawa (83) | ||
FIFA code | JPN | ||
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FIFA ranking | |||
Current | 4 (27 March 2015)[2] | ||
Highest | 3 (23 December 2011) | ||
Lowest | 14 (July 2003) | ||
First international | |||
India 1–0 Japan (Jakarta, Indonesia; 21 January 1986) | |||
Biggest win | |||
Japan 21–0 Guam (Guangzhou, China; 5 December 1997) | |||
Biggest defeat | |||
United States 9–0 Japan (Charlotte, United States; 29 April 1999) | |||
World Cup | |||
Appearances | 7 (first in 1991) | ||
Best result | Winners (2011) | ||
Asian Cup | |||
Appearances | 15 (first in 1981) | ||
Best result | Winners (2014) | ||
The Japan women's national football team, or Nadeshiko Japan (なでしこジャパン), is a selection of the best female players in Japan and is run by the Japan Football Association (JFA). Japan defeated the United States in the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup Final in a penalty shootout, becoming the first Asian team to win the FIFA Women's World Cup.
History
70s and 80s
During the 1970s, the number of women football players and teams increased in Japan, and teams made up regional leagues in various parts of Japan. In 1980, "All-Japan Women's Football Championship" was held, and in 1981 the Japan women's national football team played its first international match in Hong Kong. The team continued playing matches in Japan or in other countries, but it was not an "All Japan" national team but a temporarily organized team selected from the regional leagues.[3]
In 1986, Ryohei Suzuki was selected as the coach of the Japan women's national football team, the first "All Japan" team. In 1989, the "Japan Women's Football League" (abbreviated to "L. League") was established, and the women’s national team qualified for the "1991 FIFA Women's World Cup" in China.
Crisis years
Japan women's national football team attended various championship tournaments such as the 1996 Summer Olympics and the 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup which had made the national team and the L. League very popular. However, in 1999, Japan failed to qualify for the 2000 Summer Olympics, and this helped to cause the withdrawal of a series of teams from the L. League. Japanese women’s football was on the verge of decline.
Regeneration
In August 2002, the Japan Football Association appointed Eiji Ueda, who had been coach for the Macau national football team, as the new head coach. Officials expected a revitalization of women's football and planned a team reorganization, aiming for the 2004 Summer Olympics. The team at first went through a losing streak, but Ueda gradually improved the team, and it eventually gained wide support in Japan. In particular, a game against Korea DPR, which decided who would participate in the 2004 Olympics, not only made fans rush to the National Stadium but also was widely watched on TV.
Following the increase in public interest in women's football in Japan, the JFA organized a public contest to select a nickname for the team. "Nadeshiko Japan" was chosen from among about 2,700 entries and was announced on 7 July 2004. "Nadeshiko", a kind of dianthus, comes from the phrase "Yamato Nadeshiko" (大和撫子, "ideal Japanese woman").
2003 and 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup
Japan was dropped with Germany, Canada and Argentina during 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup. Beginning by a 6-0 thrash to newcomer Argentina, but later Japan fell on 0-3 loss to later champion Germany, and 1-3 to Canada, who later won 4th place.
Again, in 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup held in China, they again faced Germany, Argentina and England. They started with a 2-2 draw over England, before beating Argentina 1-0 after 90'. But a 0-2 loss over reigning champion Germany again eliminated Japan from the group stage. Japan's disappointing campaign through two decisive Women's World Cup would not have expected to lead to a 2011 triumph.
Golden Period
2011 FIFA Women's World Cup
Japan qualified for the finals by finishing third in the 2010 AFC Women's Asian Cup. After finishing second in their group behind England, Nadeshiko Japan beat two-time defending champion and host nation Germany 1–0 in the quarterfinals, before easily defeating Sweden 3–1 to reach the final.
After the final game finished 2–2 after extra time, Japan beat the United States 3–1 in a penalty shootout, becoming the first Asian team to win the FIFA Women's World Cup, and the first Asian team to win a senior FIFA title.[4][5] It came right after men's team won the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, marked their most successful year in Japanese football.
2012 Summer Olympics
Japan qualified for the 2012 Summer Olympics by finishing first in the Asian qualifier in September 2011, only 6 weeks after winning the Women's World Cup. At the World Cup, after finishing second in their group behind Sweden, Nadeshiko Japan defeated Brazil 2–0 in the quarterfinals, followed by a 2–1 victory over France, whom Nadeshiko had lost to in a friendly match right before the Olympics, to reach the final.
In a rematch of the World Cup final, Japan was defeated in the Olympic final by a score of 1-2 against the United States, allowing two goals to Carli Lloyd in the 8th and 54th minutes. Yūki Ōgimi scored the lone goal for Japan.
2014 AFC Women's Asian Cup
Despite having won a FIFA Women's World Cup in 2011, Japan entered the 2014 Asian Cup having never previously won the tournament.[citation needed] They were drawn with Asia's Queen Australia, host Vietnam and newcomer Jordan.[citation needed] Their first match in the group stage of the tournament resulted in a 2-2 draw against the defending champion Australia.[6] Also in the group stage, Japan upset host Vietnam by a 4-0 win before defeating Jordan with a 7-0 win to finish first with a higher goal difference.[citation needed]
In the semi-final, Japan beat seven-time champions China 2-1 after 120'. In the final, they met Australia once again and successfully earned a 1-0 win with Azusa Iwashimizu's goal. This marked the first time Japan become "Queen of Asia". They became the first Asian team to subsequently win both the FIFA Women's World Cup and AFC Women's Asian Cup.[citation needed] Because of their top placement in the tournament, Japan, Australia, China, South Korea and newcomer Thailand secured their spot at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup to be played in Canada the following year.[7]
Records
World Cup
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Olympic Games
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AFC Asian Cup
Hosts / Year | Result | GP | W | D* | L | GS | GA | GD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1975 | Did not enter | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
1977 | Group Stage | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
1979 | Did not enter | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
1981 | Group stage | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | -2 |
1983 | Did not enter | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
1986 | Runners-up | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 14 | 4 | +10 |
1989 | Third place | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 37 | 1 | +36 |
1991 | Runners-up | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 27 | 6 | +21 |
1993 | Third place | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 29 | 4 | +25 |
1995 | Runners-up | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 27 | 3 | +24 |
1997 | Third place | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 33 | 1 | +32 |
1999 | Fourth place | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 36 | 6 | +30 |
2001 | Runners-up | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 30 | 5 | +25 |
2003 | Fourth place | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 34 | 4 | +30 |
2006 | Fourth place | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 19 | 6 | +13 |
2008 | Third place | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 19 | 7 | +12 |
2010 | Third place | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 16 | 2 | +14 |
2014 | Winners | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 3 | +13 |
Total | 13/18 | 71 | 49 | 2 | 20 | 338 | 55 | +283 |
- *Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
EAFF Women's Football Championship
Hosts / Year | Result | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | GD |
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2005 | Third place | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 |
2008 | Champions | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 2 | +6 |
2010 | Champions | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | +6 |
2013 | Runners-up | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | +1 |
Total | 4/4 | 12 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 18 | 6 | +12 |
- *Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
Asian Games
Hosts / Year | Result | GP | W | D* | L | GS | GA | GD |
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1990 | Runners-up | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 17 | 8 | +9 |
1994 | Runners-up | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 3 | +6 |
1998 | Third place | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 18 | 7 | +11 |
2002 | Third place | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 3 | +5 |
2006 | Runners-up | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 21 | 1 | +20 |
2010 | Champions | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 | +6 |
2014 | Runners-up | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 28 | 3 | +25 |
Total | 7/7 | 34 | 22 | 6 | 6 | 107 | 25 | +82 |
- *Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
Schedule and results
* Japan score always listed first
Coaches
- Ryōhei Suzuki (1986–1989)
- Tamotsu Suzuki (1989–1996, 1999)
- Satoshi Miyauchi (1997–1999)
- Shinobu Ikeda (2000–2001)
- Eiji Ueda (2002–2004)
- Hiroshi Ōhashi (2004–2008)
- Norio Sasaki (2008– )
Current squad
The squad selected for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.[11][12]
Caps and goals as of 11 March 2015.
Players
- As of 11 March 2015
Top appearances
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Top goalscorers
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FIFA Rankings
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Honors
International
- Champions: 2011
- Runners-up: 2012
Continental
- Gold Medal: 2010
Regional
Overall official record
Youth national teams
Under-20 team
Under-17 team
References
- ^ "Taking the Measure of the Year's Victors". The New York Times. Retrieved 2012-09-02.
- ^ "Japan: FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". Retrieved 19 December 2014.
- ^ Hongo, Jun, "Nadeshiko Japan eyes London Olympic gold", Japan Times, 24 January 2012, p. 3.
- ^ "Japan edge USA for maiden title". FIFA. 17 July 2011. Retrieved 17 July 2011.
- ^ "Women's World Cup final: Japan beat USA on penalties". BBC Sport. 17 July 2011. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
- ^ "Nadeshiko Japan beats Australia to win Women's Asian Cup". The Japan Times. May 26, 2014. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
- ^ "Japan lift 2014 AFC Women's Asian Cup". Goal.com. May 26, 2014. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
- ^ "なでしこジャパン 第17回アジア競技大会 (2014/仁川)マッチスケジュール". JFA. 2014-08-22. Retrieved 2014-08-24.
- ^ "Nadeshiko to play Canada in October friendlies". JFA. 2014-02-06. Retrieved 2014-02-12.
- ^ "Group C: World champions to face debutant trio". FIFA. 2014-12-07. Retrieved 2014-12-12.
- ^ "Nadeshiko Japan (Japan Women's National Team) squad, schedule - FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015, International Friendlies against New Zealand, Italy". JFA. 2015-05-01. Retrieved 2015-05-01.
- ^ 2015 World cup roster