Nadeshiko Japan beats Canada 2-1 in Olympic soccer opener

Way to go Japan!

@yubaru

How about "super samurai soccer chicks" then.............No? ;)

Just because the media and everyone uses the term does not make it right. Using that argument is childish at best.

I was there. It was great.

The Olympics are going to make work days pure hell if you want to stay up and watch the events, but I just can't stop myself. Hope the men can live up to the example the women are setting -- they have a MUCH harder match up for now, but if they could do it that would pull off a major upset.

Anyway, I suppose I could find this out for myself, but will ask -- is it sudden elimination? My guess is it works as with other soccer championships and despite Canada losing they still have a chance to qualify?

The name Nadeshiko for the women's soccer team is fine. It is neither condescending nor discriminatory, and is used by all media in Japan.

There was a time when all the US media used the "N" word for blacks as well. Just because "everyone" uses it doesnt make it right!

Thank you, Harry Gato.

T'was a good game. As the Japanese soccer gals have the team-to-beat tag, they will probably face some tough games in the Olympics. Hope they go all the way to the gold ... Tonight we see how well the Japanese men can do ... if they can beat Spain ... it's like Wow!

Keep going girls!

The name Nadeshiko for the women's soccer team is fine. It is neither condescending nor discriminatory, and is used by all media in Japan.

Yubaru, it's just a nickname, why are you so upset?

It's not just a nickname it infers something weaker a flower no less and it bothers me that people let it pass. No other country in the world refer's to their women's teams as "flowers", it's condescending and discriminatory to them.

Sweden next, a good team and will be difficult to beat.

So no surprises in the first round. Who's up next for Japan?

My only problem is with the name 'nadeshiko' -- the women who wait dutifully for their samurai/soldier husbands to return from war.

Apparently, that has absolutely nothing to do with the original meaning and intent of the expression, but just the way it was used as war-time propaganda.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamato_nadeshiko

Ganbarre Nippon! Ganbarre NADESHIKO! Somebody ought to ask the players themselves what they think of their nickname! I may be mistaken, but I would venture to say they love it!

I watched a good deal of the game but eventually chose to crash. Yeah, that second goal Japan scored was a flub up by the Canadian GK, but on the whole I would say it was a pretty even match, and both teams had moments where they dominated ball control and came on strong. Hopefully Canada gets another chance to progress and does better next time, but for now Japan deserves the pat on the back for a good win.

My only problem is with the name 'nadeshiko' -- the women who wait dutifully for their samurai/soldier husbands to return from war. But, it was chosen, then they won the Women's WC with the moniker, so it'll stick regardless of how un PC it is. Ah well.

Yubaru, it's just a nickname, why are you so upset?

We do respect them, and Nadeshiko is a beautiful strong flower that even survived the Tsunami in Rikuzen-takata.

The Japanese WOMEN'S (not girls)(not nadeshiko) Soccer team won their opening match and looked pretty good while doing it too.

Folks let's show these women a little respect and quit using the word nadeshiko when talking about them. They aren't little flowers, and they are not little girls either, they are strong, athletic, competitive, WOMEN who deserve to been seen as such as well.

Nadeshiko was great! Now is the timing to take that poll for Tokyo 2020.

On other matches, the North Korea game was delayed because they refuse to play when the the South Korean flag was displayed next to their players name during the introduction.

Yes, that was a really bad mistake. I wonder how this went unnoticed until they actually done it!

Nadeshiko Japan has worked hard to get here and they deserve few wins!! It will be fun to see what Japanese mens soccer team can produce!!

Why does London need to use pitches in Scotland?? Plenty in and around London itself.

My guess is that they want to share the burden, or bring a little happiness (or misery) to all parts of the country. In other events, it may not be practical to have them in the designated city. I remember, for 2008, they had rowing in Shangdong and horse-jumping (or whatever it's called) in Hong Kong.

Good win for the girls. I watched this game on NHK this morning, ended around 3AM.

On other matches, the North Korea game was delayed because they refuse to play when the the South Korean flag was displayed next to their players name during the introduction.

There are sports that need a sea, a mountain, a terrain, all sort of arenas you can't find around London. Not to mention different sports using the same arena, e.g., soccer and athletism. Back on topic, great start girls, but the US coming from behind was more thrilling. Is it only me who is watching women playing soccer more than their male counterparts? It's more exciting, no doubt.

Yahoo news:

A major diplomatic incident marred the first day of competition when the North Korea women's football team walked off after the South Korea flag was mistakenly displayed before their match against Colombia. The North Koreans went on to win 2-0 after kick-off was delayed for more than an hour.

Oh dearie me. I have a feeling there'll be more blunders to come.

Great win for Japan. Hoping for another rematch between Japan and US in the finals.

Go girls.

someone please explain to me how games in London are using pitches all over the place.

It's called mass transportation, they use trains and buses and flying machines called "planes" to transport people to events.

Great team to watch. Very talented, very mature. Perfect example of how a strong team is first and foremost made up of great teamwork, under great leaders on and off the field.

Tokyo, agreed. My husband did the whole "Who are you going to support?" and I said I didn't really expect Canada to win so... go Japan.

Serrano, I think they have to start early because of the number of games and locations of the pitches - someone please explain to me how games in London are using pitches all over the place.

Nice one, Japan!

Good to see more soccer!

Couldn't they wait for the opening ceremony?

hmm, love the Nadeshiko, but from Canada, dilemna on this one oh well, Canada ain't gonna win, so gambarre nippon