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© 2023 AFPJapan coach tells team to 'be proud' after World Cup exit
By Andy SCOTT Auckland©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.
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© 2023 AFP
31 Comments
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mtuffizi
japan did a great job, good luck moving forward. sweden not to my liking the way they played the game.
BigP
Hats off to Japan. Played well.
Asiaman7
I was so surprised how uncompetitive Japan appeared in much of the game (especially the first 60 minutes) against Sweden, particularly compared to the U.S.
In its 2-1 loss to Sweden, Japan possessed the ball 51% of the time and had 11 total shots, 3 on target. In its 0-0 draw to Sweden lost 5-4 on penalty shots, the U.S. possessed the ball 58% of the time and had 21 total shots, 11 on target.
Hats off to Sweden!
Japantime
Unfortunately it looks like Sweden were the stronger team, which means they usually win the game. Japan can try their best in the Olympics.
KazukoHarmony
Why would that be “unfortunate.”
In fact, Sweden was the stronger team. Indeed, Sweden was the stronger team.
Mark
Of Course BE PROUD, Congrats on being there and taking part in the event, good luck next time.
falseflagsteve
As long as you give your best effort, that’s the main thing isn’t it.
Yubaru
The samurai women have nothing to be ashamed of, they did the country proud! Well done!
kintsugi
The Japanese team reached the quarter-finals. Well done.
Bob Kunihiro
They played much better than the lack-listened US team.
Fighto!
Nadeshiko Japan absolutely should be proud of how they played on the world stage with such a young team!
Almost no one gave them a hope before the Cup began - but the way they played on the break, their defense was outstanding, and they looked a threat in all games - and had them as many neutrals favorite team to watch.
The first 70 minutes against a superb Sweden team they were well contained and second best - but there is plenty to be hopeful about heading into Paris '24 and the '27 World Cup!
sunfunbun
As the World Cup shows, football results can turn on a dime. A different day, and Japan wins. Who scores first is a big deal. There are so many factors leading to a team winning or losing and sometimes a team that wins a game, perhaps they were outplayed, goes on thru to a championship.
Sweden looked the weaker wide vs. the USA, but won in a shoot out, certainly the Americans had the upper hand and looked very much in control of a win. Things can turn quickly, and the USA was out. Sweden in, and on this day, they played a stronger game than Japan, which was touted as the best team in the WC based on group play and a first round knockout stage win.
Ultimately, it was not a surprised Japan lost. They showed up, played well and were the darlings of the WC. Great for the team and Japan. Sweden goes on. They were good, but anyone who watched the USA game knows how they were not in possession of the ball, and fortunate the USA could not finish. So goes football. Any team left can raise the WC.
Bill Lewis
Nadeshiko-Japan. O-tsukaresama deshita. You'll get 'em next time.
Lindsay
They did really well. They did much better than the men’s Japanese team have ever done.
sunfunbun
No such thing as woke, it's a creation to call all awareness a label. A name call by the Trump types.
They were all upset by Rapinoe's stand against Trump and his followers who have a great deal of bias against her and the US women's team, made up of people who are caring and strong individuals, who refused to go to the White House in his administration because of poor human rights policies.
Trump picks on Rapinoe, but in truth, he dislikes all of Tobin Heath, Cristine Presse, Carli Lloyd, Rose Lavelle, etc. The sad right polarizes against anything fair in human rights issues and shows their pettiness everyday. Megan Kelly, get a life. Wow, what a sorry individual.
Spitfire
While the ladies should all be proud for being such a great team the Japanese media and broadcasters should be extremely ashamed for not airing or covering the team’s matches on terrestrial TV because they weren’t expected to do well.
It was exactly the same as 12 years ago,the earlier games were virtually ignored because Japan wasn’t”t reckoned to have a chance,however the media jumped on the bandwagon when the team got to the final and won it.
eric_japan
Japan was a quality respectful team. Sad to see them ousted. Unlike the most of the U.S. women’s team who were and have been disrespectful, unappreciative for the opportunities that living in the US has given them. They could easily could have stood on a platform of “ look how great America is and we’ve been given this great opportunity to reach this potential because America is so tolerant and gives equal rights to women straight or other. There are so many countries that women are afforded such luxuries and we must unite to help them reach their potential” there are some countries you can be jailed, murdered for being gay, etc. But NO they chose the easy route of yelling racist, misogyny, etc. Thus started the people saying, hey just play the game and let us support your effort like we did in the past. NOPE they doubled down and therefore lost half of the base fans. They also complained/lied about money wages that aren’t fair. Well, news for you is you don’t bring in the same amount of revenue. Just like the WNBA they would have been defunct years ago if not for the NBA giving them money to exist. They have constantly operated in the red since inception. Us sports fans just want to escape in our team’s performance and leave politics behind. So as long as the players want to hurl their opinions and politics at us, when we want to escape real life for a few hours and enjoy, they will have to endure not being loved by all as it used to be in yesteryears
Rodney
My partner cried. She usually doesn’t do that.
eric_japan
Correction
“There are so many countries that women AREN’T afforded …….“
Yubaru
Here! Here! As with so many other sporting events here in Japan this happens far too often, and seeing as how some of the "so-called" networks do not have stations in all prefectures, this happens far too often.
Not to mention NHK, the supposed NATIONAL broadcaster, only had matches on their BS (Quite literally the perfectly "named" Bull Snit) channel, not everyone could watch!
therougou
Took way too long for Japan to wake up, which is a shame because the Swedish defenders and keeper looked pretty shaky when they did. The coach not starting Endo makes me wonder if he was playing for 120 minutes from the start. It seemed to backfire because Japan got pinned back on their left side with Sweden putting in dangerous crosses. You know the saying "the best defense is a good offense", and that seemed to apply to Japan in this match.
Sweden's second goal is questionable, as the rules say there is no PK if the ball deflects off a teammate and then hits a hand, but FIFA keep going back and forth on that.. Either way, it seemed inevitable Sweden would score a 2nd goal.
Paustovsky
It seems that American men who don't like football, don't like American women who do like football. Especially the American women who are very good at football.
What is the source of their ire ? Is it because they are American women who are good at football ? Or is it just because the American women who do like football have achieved far more than the American men who don't like football ?
Jimizo
You often find the types who were glad the US lost are the same types who tell us nobody watches or cares about the women’s game.
Anyway, decent tournament from Japan although I’m sure the manager would have given them a kick up the arse at half-time v Sweden.
Still, a young side. Definitely room for optimism.
kintsugi
Women's football brings inspiration to millions of girls across the globe.
therougou
Well I was visiting home when the USA lost, and my father's reason was quite simple: They didn't sing the national anthem. Rapinoe smiling after she missed a decisive penalty didn't help, either.
William77
Glad that Sweden made it but Japan played a honourable tournament.
Dr.Cajetan Coelho
Tremendous impact for the liberation, emancipation, and empowerment of the girl child. Parents and grandparents in Asia are entertaining positive dreams for their girls. Nadeshiko Japan footballers are inspiring the girl child across Asia to aim high.
Peter14
In other news the other Asian confederation team still in the world cup is now through to the semi finals after Australia defeated France on penalties!!!!
Go Aussies!!!
I am shaking after that tense shootout, it was an awesome game ending 0-0 after chances on both sides but in the end Australia came out of the penalties after 10 penalties each, victorious!
The Matilda's could go all the way.
England or Colombia are next up in a semi final.
For Japan, it can be very proud of their girls who played with determination and confidence throughout the tournament, making a example for the next generation of Japanese women players to follow. A great team who are always welcome in Australia and New Zealand for friendlies or any other game. It has been a pleasure to watch their professional skill's and demeanor.