Football Women’s World Cup: 'Nadeshiko' look to rekindle Japan's love
Vancouver
Japan captain Aya Miyama said that the 'Nadeshiko' were looking to rekindle the nation's love on the eve of their Women's World Cup title defence against the United States in Vancouver.
In 2011 Japan became the first Asian team to win a world title overcoming the United States in a triumph that embodied the spirit of a nation struggling to recover from a devastating earthquake and tsunami.
But four years on Miyama admitted it was sometimes hard to maintain interest in women's football in Asia.
"When we won the World Cup, people began to take notice of soccer in Asia but just before the World Cup this time the popularity had began to decline in Japan as well as in Asia," said Miyama.
"We hope that by winning the World Cup again we can make soccer a part of the culture of Japan and not just a fad."
Coach Norio Sasaki said his team no longer needed such powerful motivators to fire their title ambitions.
"In 2011 Japan suffered a terrible earthquake and tsunami and people really got interested in the World Cup," he told a press conference at Vancouver's BC Place Stadium.
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