Japan won the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup by defeating three quality sides in the knockout stages, including hosts Germany in the quarterfinals. Now the Japanese go from the hunters to the hunted with the “world champions” tag attached to their name this summer.
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Roster
Goalkeepers: Miho Fukumoto, Ayumi Kaihori and Erina Yamane
Defenders: Yukari Kinga, Azusa Iwashimizu, Saki Kumagai, Aya Sameshima, Megumi Kamionobe, Saori Ariyoshi, Yuri Kawamura and Kana Kitahara
Midfielders: Mizuho Sakaguchi; Kozue Ando, Aya Miyama, Nahomi Kawasumi, Homare Sawa, Rumi Utsugi, Asuna Tanaka and Asano Nagasato
Forwards: Shinobu Ohno, Yuika Sugasawa, Mana Iwabuchi and Yūki Ōgimi
Coach
Norio Sasaki took over the national team in 2008 and has turned Japan into one of the top nations in the world. Since winning the World Cup in 2011, Sasaki has guided the Japanese to a silver medal at the 2012 Olympics and earned the country’s first AFC Women’s Asian Cup title.
Group C schedule
June 8: vs. Switzerland in Vancouver
June 12: vs. Cameroon in Vancouver
June 16: vs. Ecuador in Winnipeg
How they qualified
By qualifying for the semifinals of the Asian Cup, Japan booked its spot in the 2015 Women’s World Cup.
Team strengths
Japan bases its system around short passing and technique. The team isn’t full of big names like the United States and Germany, but the philosophy is clearly effective. The Japanese also have depth in quality in midfield and attack, which will be important with games coming thick and fast.
Team weaknesses
Much like the Spanish men’s team during its historic run from 2008-2012, the Japanese sacrifice size for technique, which makes it difficult for them to compete against bigger, stronger teams. However, because the passing is so quick, they haven’t had to worry too much about the lack of physicality in the squad.
Player to watch
Homare Sawa. She will appear at a record-sixth World Cup this summer, something no man or woman has ever done. Despite her limited playing time and age (36), Sawa will be a calming presence in a team that has undergone some significant changes since 2011. She’s also the nation’s all-time leading scorer and appearance leader.
Burning question
How will the youngsters perform? Japan added several young players to the squad in its Asian Cup triumph in 2014. Sasaki stuck with those youngsters and included them in the World Cup team. Now the question that remains is if they can execute on the big stage. The coach thinks they can, calling the 2015 outfit better than the 2011 side that won the World Cup.
Prospects
Japan should advance to the knockout stage with Switzerland, Cameroon, and Ecuador in Group C. The quarterfinals might be tough if the Japanese face China or the Netherlands, but they should win the group and meet the minimum expectation of a semifinal appearance.
World Cup history
1991 – Group stage
1995 – Quarterfinals
1999 – Group stage
2003 – Group stage
2007 – Group stage
2011 – Champions