You might have heard that some of the world's best soccer players had a little match yesterday. Japan won the Women's World Cup 2-2 in penalty kicks, the first time they'd beat the American women's team in 26 tries. The Japanese team includes a player, Karina Maruyama, who'd worked at the Fukushima nuclear power plant.
If you let yourself care about sports, and I do, sooner or later you'll experience a loss that really hurts. For American fans, this is certainly one of those. As Roger Angell wrote about the 1999 Mets' heartbreaking loss to Atlanta (first team I ever cried over!), thank you to the American women's team for giving us something to care about so much.
The wacky, smart J-List guy writes that the Japanese team has picked up a nickname back home, Nadeshiko Japan. Nadeshiko is the classical word for a pure, beautiful Japanese woman, he writes. "It certainly is a ray of happiness for a country who's had a rough time of things so far this year."
And to all the uglies blowing up the Twitter with anti-Japanese racist ranting, please get a grip.
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Taking a look around the bar after game, I was a proud fan in that no one was jeering or mocking the Japan team. They won it, in every sense of the word. Hats off to all the players.
I was never more proud of the community at my local bar then when a toast was raised to both teams... this was a couple of hours after the game had ended, of course. In the moments immediately following the game, there was no oxygen in the room for such activities.
Thank's Japan, Thank's USA... Great game...
I watched the game yesterday. One of the first soccer matches ever for me. VERY exciting. Those women played their hearts out. As they say they "left it all on the field". While I do wish there was a little more scoring in soccer I might catch a game or two in the future because of this.
One thing that struck me was the sportsmanship. All throughout the game I saw players from opposing teams lending a hand to help up other players that had fallen down.
Quit an exciting game all round. It was just not in the cards for the US team.
Yesterday was the first time I ever cried over a sporting match. At first I was crying in disappointment, watching the faces of the US players as they tried to hold back their own tears. And then when the Japanese women got their trophy, and the confetti came down, and I thought about all their country has been through this year, and how much they needed something to celebrate, I started crying all over again.
Both teams were winners, no doubt about it. And the Summer Olympics in London are coming up, so I'm hoping Wambach and Ripone and all the rest have another shot at a world title!
It was a SPECTACULAR match. Really well played. Japan wanted it badly enough to fight their way through. We missed a lot of shots and I think our team knew where they fell short.
Still, an amazing tournament and the USWNT is tops in my book. AMAZING athletes and INSPIRING women.
We love you, TEAM USA.
Congratulations Japan. Your country is very proud of you.
What an unbelievable match!! So many World Cup Finals end up in PK shootouts due to the well matched teams, but this was a game that expressed much more than that....It showed how far women's soccer has developed in technique, tactics and quality...not a shred of difference between the women or the men in strength, stamina, ingenuity and determination. What quality!!
During the Penalty shots, my Mother and I were saying that we would love Japan, simply because of Japan's Totally Awesome goalkeeper.
This was one of those games where the dominant team just could not find a finish...and it cost them. Well done Japan, hard luck USA.
Loved it when Rachel got so excited about having players from the American on her show on Tuesday night. You got a love a person that can debate you on just about anything and also do a cartwheel over a visit from a soccer team. How charming is that?
FANtastic game.... and the thing I'll remember most was the great display of sportsmanship throughout the intensely hard fought match. I'm very proud of Team USA but Japan needed it more than we did.
In 1999 the players names were household words. I didn't know most of these players until the quarter finals.. had the US won, there probably would have been some retirements.. This loss may keep some around a little longer and rejuvenate some enthusiasm for the Olympics and now we know who the players are..
I can't wait for them to be on your show.
And BTW... I LOVED Elizabeth Warren. She's an honorary soccer player..
Abby Wambach is my new favorite athlete! Even in defeat, she proved to be a champion and a true team leader. I am a man and grew up playing American football and rugby, but I would be proud to play for her on any team, in any sport.
Watching the game, with my dad, I was actually rooting for Japan while he cheered for team U.S.A. Don't ask me why; I just think their Tsunami/underdog story appealed immediately to the desire for heroism imbedded in all of us.
After watching, however, what was one of the most exciting sporting events in recent history (an instant classic), it was Abby's tremendous character that shone through. She was the first to shake hands and congratulate the opposing team. It was her successful penalty shot that staved off defeat, if but for a few seconds. (she made it look effortless). It was her natural (easy and ready) smile, like another sports legend, Magic Johnson, during match play that revealed not only confidence, but a purity of heart and love for the game. During her post game interviews, she was un-phased and unpretentious. Where other players would be concerned about how their emotions or reactions would be perceived, Abby had no such concerns, and was just herself. THAT is confidence. THAT is a champion.
And the moment to draw a tear? As the three star players were awarded trophies for their individual successes, Abby put her arm around the Japanese player on her right and pulled her in, closer to herself and Hope Solo, to ensure that she was standing in the correct spot for photos, handshakes, etc. Are you kidding me? That is my captain, I thought.
In my head, I replayed the scene from Braveheart, only this time it was Abby Wambach cast as Robert the Bruce. "You bled wi' Wallace. Now bleed wi' me!"
I will bleed with you any day, Abby Wambach. You are a champion, and my hero, and I thank you.
Hi,I am a Japanese and writing this with receiving very big typhoon here in Tokushima Japan now.A site which introduce world blogs brought me to here.Thank you for a lot of the warm comments about Japanese team. And thank to supports for the disaster 3.11. hope U.S.A and Japan will see in the final of the Olympic.
Good night!
Hi, all. (I ilke Thirteenth posting by the way)
First, thank you for your comments with compassion for both team. The game result is hard luck for USA team, but it was one of the best match to me. They really encouraged me after going through a tough time by the disaster in Japan.
I appreciate that many people also mentioned the damage in Japan. I myself live in Fukushima (33km from the plant), and separated from my family and my dog. It is so nice you guys care...thanks!
Since I separeted from my family (they evacuated and now live 600km away), I put my efforts on my work and volunteer activities. I support cleaning up damaged area and buildings in Minami Soma which you may know the mayer`s messege in You Tube. The members are only 20-30 people including a guy lost whole his family.
We are cleaning the area, but have a plan to seed Rapeseed plant (Nano-hana) which is known to remove Radioactive Cecius same as Sunflower in 20 km area where will be opened sometime. There are many abundant water pad and farm, so we will have a tons of work. One good news is Mercedes Benz donated UNIMOG which is a monster truck can go virtually anywhere. I hope it will work, and this is our fight bak or revenge against nuclear disaster or hard distiney, just like Scots fought against rutheless King Long Shank, huh?
Another one is dogs and cats resucue in 20-30 km area where sometime you can find Hot spot. But nobody in the volunteer group (Just like Humane Society) afraid of it as long as we can save some animals...I have a plan to introduce our activities, and may request donation(sorry, but we need some financial support to continue helping abundant dogs and cats), so I need to make a blog or something in English soon. But your mental support made here is enough for today.
Sorry, this one may not relevant of this news, but I want to say thank Nadeshiko-Japan, I love you and proud of you so much! Also, USA team who showed the best performance and strength in the cup. Both of you guys deffinitely gave us a courage and power to keep going! I will continue my efforts until the day separated family live togather and live in peace. May the God bless us all...
Again, thanks! and see you in Olympic match!
Oops! Wrong posting. Could someone plese delete this? Thanks.