Women's World Cup was more than a game for Japan

[Bonobo]

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-japan-soccer-20110718,0,5867295.story

The dramatic final kick, defeating a taller and stronger U.S. team in a nail-biting seesaw contest, established Japan as the first Asian country to win the women's World Cup. But it also allowed a beaten-down nation to declare to the world that it was no longer just a victim.

"This is a big psychological lift for all of us," said Ai Asada, 26, tears in her eyes, as she celebrated the final penalty kick at the Footnik sports bar in central Tokyo.

To motivate them, coach Norio Sasaki had shown photos of devastated towns along Japan's northeastern coast that were washed away by the tsunami. The players knew that each goal, each victory — over such soccer powerhouses as Sweden, Germany and, finally, the U.S., which it had not defeated in 25 previous contests — would give people back home more hope, a dash more courage.

Along with the superstars, there also were the players who served as emotional reminders of the national rebuilding task that remains: Team member Aya Sameshima worked at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant that was crippled by the tsunami.

[Arctic Dave]

1. Japan played very well, plain and simple.

Congrats.

[Ichingcarpenter]

2. .I blame DU for our loss

LOL.....


Japan needed this much more, Congratulations Japan

[Arctic Dave]

3. DAMN YOU DU!!1!1!!

LOL.