Japan's joy over FIFA awards
Source: Agencies |
January 11, 2012, Wednesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
JAPAN captain Homare Sawa's FIFA women's Player of the Year award triggered a fresh wave of delight in her homeland after a big night for the team in Zurich.
Sawa, who led Japan's women to an astonishing World Cup triumph in Germany last year, posed for photos with triple men's winner Lionel Messi while dressed in a traditional kimono.
"My first thought was that the trophy felt so heavy," Sawa told NHK television yesterday. "It's humbling to write a new page in Japanese soccer history.
"It still hasn't sunk in."
"Just for making it among the nominees, I wanted to say 'Well done!' to myself. When I went up to get the award my heart was pounding and I was sweating. It was a surprise to win."
Japan coach Norio Sasaki won the women's coach of the year.
The Japan Football Association capped a special night for Japan by picking up the Fair Play award. "I feel blessed," said JFP president Junji Ogura.
Sawa, who led Japan's women to an astonishing World Cup triumph in Germany last year, posed for photos with triple men's winner Lionel Messi while dressed in a traditional kimono.
"My first thought was that the trophy felt so heavy," Sawa told NHK television yesterday. "It's humbling to write a new page in Japanese soccer history.
"It still hasn't sunk in."
"Just for making it among the nominees, I wanted to say 'Well done!' to myself. When I went up to get the award my heart was pounding and I was sweating. It was a surprise to win."
Japan coach Norio Sasaki won the women's coach of the year.
The Japan Football Association capped a special night for Japan by picking up the Fair Play award. "I feel blessed," said JFP president Junji Ogura.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
