After almost a month of action in Australia and New Zealand, the FIFA Women's World Cup™ has come to an end with Spain claiming the title.

The Nadeshiko Japan (Japan Women's National Team) were among the favourites to win the tournament after an excellent run to the Round of 16 but were unable to repeat their success in 2011 after being knocked out in the quarterfinals. However, the way they changed tactics depending on the game and the circumstances, the way they handled strong opponents such as Spain and Norway, and the way all the registered players contributed on the pitch and fought as a unit were truly impressive.

But what pleased me the most was that, while playing at a high enough level to compete in the rapidly evolving and changing world of women's football, the Nadeshiko Japan have retained their greatest virtues: dedication and team spirit.

The world of women's football is going through a period of great change, and Europe is at the heart of it. This is because many of the world's leading clubs are now making a serious effort to strengthen their women's teams in order to broaden their fan base, not only by improving the playing environment but also by applying the same cutting-edge football tactics to their women's teams as they do to their men's teams.

Unfortunately, this trend has also brought some of the negative aspects of the men's game to the women's game. It was shocking to see an up-and-coming young striker from England getting sent off for deliberately stamping on an opponent. We see it from time to time in the men's game, but it was something I had never seen in women's football at any level.

Many of the familiar goal celebrations from the men's game, such as the “knee slide,” “airplane pose,” and other crowd-pleasing performances, were on display throughout the tournament, but the approach taken by the players of Nadeshiko Japan was very different.

The Nadeshiko Japan scored 15 goals in five matches, and MIYAZAWA Hinata's five strikes earned her the Golden Boot. While the young midfielder's prodigious performance grabbed the headlines, it is worth noting that all but one of Nadeshiko’s goals - an own goal - had one thing in common: they were all celebrated with smiles and the teammates.

Whenever they scored a goal, the players of Nadeshiko Japan would always turn to their teammates with big smiles on their faces. The desire to share the joy of scoring with your teammates is one of the most beautiful aspects of the game of football.

I was particularly struck by the smile on Miyazawa's face after scoring the third goal against Spain. After running more than 60 metres from her own half to score, she stumbled onto the pitch and although she could not get up immediately, she looked up and smiled broadly at her teammates.

In football, a goal belongs to the team, regardless of how it was scored by a solo brillince. In modern football, however, cheap heroism is being legitimised, with goal scorers making it all about themselves and celebrating their goals as individual achievements. One of the negative aspects of this tournament was that this is becoming increasingly common in women's football.

The way Nadeshiko Japan celebrated their goal with “smiles and the teammates” was the epitome of how a goal in football is the culmination of a total team effort. It was a scene reminiscent of their 2011 campaign that took the world by storm. I am very proud of the Nadeshiko Japan. They may have come a long way in football terms, but their hearts have not changed.

It didn't get much publicity, but the tournament's Fair Play Award went to the Nadeshiko Japan after the team received just one yellow card in five matches and, of course, no red cards. This is the second time the Nadeshiko Japan have won the Fair Play Award at the World Cup.

Nadeshiko Japan at this World Cup have really managed to display brilliant football without losing the “Nadeshiko Spirit.”

Written by OSUMI Yoshiyuki (Football Journalist)

*This article was originally posted on the Japan Football Association Newsletter, “JFAnews,” September 2023 edition.

Japan Football Association Newsletter “JFAnews”

The Japan Football Association Newsletter “JFAnews” contains all the information on the Japan National Team, events hosted by JFA, tournament results, and team information throughout the nation. The official monthly magazine is a must read for coaches, referees, and all members of the football family.

For information on the newest edition (Japanese website)