Sports Nadeshiko Japan reaches quarterfinals

[thomas]

Nadeshiko Japan deserves mention for their powerful display at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup! They demolished four successive opponents and reached the quarterfinals for the first time since 2015:

• Japan 5 - 0 Zambia
• Japan 2 - 0 Costa Rica
• Japan 4 - 0 Spain
• Japan 3 - 1 Norway

(UPDATE 5) Nadeshiko Japan Beats Norway 3-1, Advance to Quarterfinals

Nadeshiko Japan continued their dominant display at the 2023 Women’s World Cup with a 3-1 win against 12th-ranked Norway in the round of 16 at Wellington Regional Stadium in Wellington, New Zealand, on Saturday.

japannews.yomiuri.co.jp

As Sweden knocked out the US team after Megan Rapinoe missed a penalty kick, Japan will play the Swedes on 11 August.

SOCCER/ Japan looking to maintain level in World Cup knockout stage | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis

Sadly, Nadeshiko hasn't received much attention in the Japanese media.

Nadeshiko Japan is back, but is Japan paying attention?

The team’s lack of media exposure and name recognition is a symptom of the Japan Football Association’s failure to capitalize on its 2011 world title.

www.japantimes.co.jp

 

[Mikawa Ossan]

Sweden just booted out the Americans. It's always tough when Sweden and Japan are matched against each other for me...I'm so torn as to which team to root for.

 

[thomas]

As much as I love Volvo, H&M, and IKEA (and their meatballs), we'll be rooting for N-A-D-E-S-H-I-K-O!

Whoever will win, this promises to be an exciting game.

 

[mdchachi]

As much as I love Volvo, H&M, and IKEA (and their meatballs), we'll be rooting for N-A-D-E-S-H-I-K-O!

Whoever will win, this promises to be an exciting game.

Is that really their name or just a nickname?

 

[thomas]

Is that really their name or just a nickname?

All quoted from Wikipedia:

The Japan women's national football team (サッカー日本女子代表, Hepburn: Sakkā Nippon Joshi Daihyō), or nicknamed Nadeshiko Japan (なでしこジャパン), represents Japan in women's association football and is run by the Japan Football Association (JFA). The only country to win every FIFA competition and the most successful women's national team in the Asian Football Confederation. Its highest ranking in the FIFA Women's World Rankings is 3rd, achieved in December 2011.

Yamato nadeshiko (やまとなでしこ or 大和撫子) is a Japanese term meaning the "personification of an idealized Japanese woman", or "the epitome of pure, feminine beauty"; poised, decorous, kind, gentle, graceful, humble, patient, virtuous, respectful, benevolent, honest, charitable, faithful. It is a floral metaphor, combining the words Yamato, an ancient name for Japan, and nadeshiko, a delicate frilled pink carnation called Dianthus superbus, whose kanji translate into English as "caressable child". The term "Yamato nadeshiko" is often used to describe a demure young woman and, in a contemporary context, nostalgically of women with good traits which are perceived as being increasingly rare.

 

[Lothor]

I watched the game against Norway, and the Japanese team were playing very well.

 

[thomas]

Unfortunately, they were knocked out by the Swedes 2 - 1. Still, an outstanding performance!

Impressive Sweden stun Japan to secure World Cup semi-final against Spain

Sweden advanced to a second consecutive World Cup semi-final after goals from Amanda Ilestedt and Filippa Angeldahl saw off Japan 2-1

www.theguardian.com