Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Kuala Lumpur: The silver medal-winning feat of Japan at the 2012 London Olympics has earned the Nadeshiko the AFC Team of the Year Award in women’s category.
The Nadeshiko had a memorable Olympics campaign and emerged unbeaten from the group stages with a win over Canada and draws against Sweden and South Africa.
They produced a top quality performance against Brazil in their 2-0 quarter-final win and went on to beat France 2-1 in the semi-final setting up gold medal tie against the US which they lost 2-1 at Wembley.
“I am not surprised that our women's team got this award. We had a productive year and if although we didn't win managing a silver medal in the Olympics speaks the volume of our success,” JFA President Kuniya Dain said after collecting the award on behalf of the Nadeshiko from AFC Vice President Ghanesh Thapa.
“But there are reasons behind our recent succes. We have been working hard over the last 20 years when we started the women’s league in Japan and we have continuously encouraged young girls to take up the sport.
"Now our hard work is paying dividends and winning the World Cup and a silver medal in the Olympics next year are the evidence that we are on the right path."