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The Japanese people were delivered a sporting achievement to fill their hearts with pride and joy in the early hours of Monday morning. After all of the troubles and woes of the past months, it offered a much needed release and allowed expression of sheer elation, as the women’s national team triumphed at the football World Cup. The country needed a morale booster after months of coming to terms with the tragic tsunami events – its footballing women provided it in the most admirable of fashions.
Although ultimate victory was not totally implausible, the Nadeshiko (pink carnation) as they are nicknamed, overcame the odds in the tournament as underdogs against firstly the footballing powerhouse of Germany, and then the American team. They showed more than just grace and beauty – renowned characteristics of the flower – as they catapulted themselves to the peak of the women’s game with a remarkable victory over the favourites and twice previous winners, the US.
Although not as fervently supported as the Samurai Blue, Japan’s women’s team way surpassed the achievements of their male counterparts last year. They became a focus of positivity and optimism, carrying the hopes of the country for the past weeks and galvanising the true solidarity of the Japanese people in times of adversity.
My Tokyo neighbours more than adequately demonstrated the excitement the Nadeshiko generated – screams of encouragement and vocal sighs of relief with the ebb and flow of the entire match, then squeals and shouts of delight when the final penalty was fired into the roof of the US goal.
People across the country watched deep into the dawn hours – in bars, community halls or from living room cushions – and rejoiced as enormous effort, dedication to the task and teamwork brought the national team the ultimate prize – the label of World Champions.
Sporting achievement brings people together, as does adversity. The victory of the women’s football team was a gleaming example of how the Japanese always rise to overcome the hugest of challenges by being unified and dedicated. Japan is unified and dedicated – the future of Japan is looking rosier, for now, the future of its football is looking distinctly carnation-pink.
Written by IJT tour leader, Steve Parker