Nadeshiko Soccer Legend Retires

In a week that saw American Women's Soccer Star Abby Wambach retire, Japan's greatest Women's Soccer Star Homare Sawa also announced her retirement from professional sports this week at Age 37. Like her good American friend and rival Abby Wambach, Miss Sawa has had an incredible run representing Nadeshiko Japan with 205 international caps with 83 goals. In 2011, she helped Japan win the FIFA Women's World Cup over the United States and was named MVP.The following year she would lead Japan in the 2012 London Olympics where she would help Japan win the Silver Medal. We at American Mishima would like to wish Miss Sawa much success in her future endeavors. She will be missed on the world stage but like all good players including our own Abby Wambach, there comes a time when we must hang up our boots and and call it a game well played. 

As a fan of Women's Soccer, this has been a hard week to see two great players leave the pitch but we are happy to say they both leave on a high note. We thank Homare Sawa and Abby Wambach both for all their spectacular plays and their continued friendship. To Miss Sawa we at American Mishima would like to say ども ありがとう ございまして! Thank you and Good luck!

USWNT Defeats Nadeshiko Japan in Women's World Cup

In what was billed as an epic rematch between the 2011 Women's World Cup defending champions Nadeshiko Japan and the United States Women's National Team ended in a spectacular battle for the cup! Right off the bat, Carli Lloyd scored a hat trick and before the 30th minute the USA was up by 4-0.

But before the US could wrap this in the bag, Japan came back with a wicked score by Ogimi saving face goal for Japan and putting them back into the match. At this point the Japanese coach decided to bring in his supersub and his veteran Homare Sawa in her 6th and final world cup appearance. For a moment, Japan seemed to have their mojo back after their earlier sense of disarray.

But before dreams of a second back to back win seemed possible, the US scored again despite accidentally giving up a goal by US defender Julie Johnston. In the end it was 5-2 USA before a crowd of over 52,000 in attendance who didn't need FIFA's indicted president Sepp Blatter's condescending recommendation that female players wear tighter shorts to make the sport more popular. For the record he did not attend the match for fear of being arrested by American officials.

This would be the US's 3rd Gold Star and the first World Cup Won since 1999. Japan goes home with the silver medal. They have nothing to be ashamed of. They fought hard and they fought honorably but this year it was our turn.

In closing, US Goal Keeper Hope Solo got the Golden Glove. This was also Abby Wambach's 4th and final WWC. Talk about going out on top! Great Job Ladies and Thank you USWNT! You are the best!

なでしこ日本: Sportsmanship Nadeshiko Japan Style

The Age of the Samurai may be gone but not it's most endearing virtues of fighting with honor. This is most exemplified with the dignified play of Nadeshiko Japan during the London 2012 Olympics. Similar to what took place during the Women's World Cup of 2011(where players of Nadeshiko could not celebrate and bowed before members of our USWNT until our players told them it was OK, please enjoy your victory), Japan's players showed a level of class and respect to their defeated opponents you will not see from any other team. This is what true sportsmanship is all about. At the end of the day you have to go shake the other teams hands and walk out of there with your head held up high win or lose, a concept lost to many of this generation but hopefully not for the future generations that learn from Japan's example. We at American Mishima admire Nadeshiko Japan who we know will be gracious in victory or defeat come this Thursday in the fight for the Gold Medal in the Final Match of Women's Football (Soccer). As Americans we are obligated to support our home team, but know that this match will be between friends. It will be tough. But regardless of how it turns out, we'd like to share these images following the defeat of the French Team. You'll just never see such consolation and respect given to a defeated opponent as seen from these pictures. Enjoy!

なでしこ日本

なでしこ日本 Nadeshiko Defeats Barzil 2-0!

Nadeshiko Japan did again with a 2-0 win over powerful Brazil in a win or go home quarter final. They will next take on France. おめでとうなでしこ日本!

日本 がんばれ! Japan's Olympic Team Support

We naturally support our home US National Teams when they play but when they don't we support Japan. 日本 がんばれ!

日本 がんばれ! Japan's Olympic Teams Impressive Start

In the span of 24 hours, the Japanese Men's & Women's Teams have opened up the 2012 London Olympics with twin victories. Starting July 25th at City of Coventry Stadium, Nadeshiko Japan took on the Canadian Women's team scoring twice first by Nahomi Kawasumi in the 33rd minute and later by Aya Miyama in the 44th minute. The final score was Japan 2-1 Canada putting the defending Women's World Cup Champions up on the leader board early for medal contention

And now for the men. Today in Glasgow Scotland, Japan's Samurai Blue once again showed the world the prowess and play of the up and coming skills of the Japanese J-League defeating odds on favorite Spain in an exhilarating fast paced game that no one could predict it's end. Spain suffering a red card and playing with ten men could not let their guard down. The battle for possession kept everyone on their toes. And then it came. Striker Yuki Otsu scored in the first half and maintained the attack until the bitter end. Japan opened up numerous chances but ended with a 1-0 win over the 10-man Spanish squad. If you were betting on Spanish gold, today's defeat at the hand of the Samurai Blue puts this confidence shaker in a psychological place no Spaniard wants to be hurting their chances for the gold medal and the Olympics have only just started. To both Nadeshiko Japan and their male counterparts Samurai Blue, we at American Mishima say  がんばれ!

一日の画像 - Imperial Audience

Emperor Akihito meets with the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup Winning Champion Homare Sawa (seen in kimono), Captain of Nadeshiko Japan last Thursday during an autum garden party. すごいい!

なでしこジャパン Japan's Stunning Victory over Mexico in the 2011 Women's World Cup

Japan Women's National Football team "Nadeshiko" pulled a stunning victory over Mexico's "Las Gatas" in a crushing 4-0 score qualifying Japan for the 2011 FIFA World Cup Quarter Finals in Germany for the first time in 16 years. We at American Mishima would like to offer a special  おめでとう ございます to Captain Homare Sawa for her amazing three goal hat trick the first ever in this years 2011 FIFA World Cup. This was truly an exciting match to watch and we are very happy for Japan! We wish Nadeshiko Japan continued success and for the success of women's football in Japan. がんばれ 日本!

ばんざい! ばんざい! ばんざい!