The Nameless One has spoken, this time through a team of oracles at the German sea-life aquarium, and the cephalopod cabal predicted a win by Japan in the Women’s Soccer World Cup. The closeness of the decision within the tentacled tribunal led some to question whether the final match might be a closely-fought event, and indeed it was; but in the end Nadeshico Japan won! Ganbare Nippon! I wanted to watch this final match but sadly it was only available on pay TV, so I missed it. But I’m happy that Japan won a well-deserved victory after beating some tough teams (Germany and Sweden!) to get there.
Incidentally, Nadeshico in Japanese is a name taken to refer to a classical Japanese vision of feminity. To say someone is “a Nadeshico” is to compliment their feminity as both beautiful and traditional. I think this is an excellent name for a women’s national soccer team. Well done Nadeshico!
Compromise and Conceit 
July 23, 2011 at 6:15 am
I really enjoyed this tournament, and I really enjoyed this final. Apparently before this game the US and Japan had played 25 times, with the US winning 22 and three draws. So for the underdog to get up was delightful.
Women’s football is really going places. It’s a different game to the men’s game, with different tactics and different problems. Japan’s success in solving the specific tactical problems they faced was really impressive and shows what can be done by applying brain power to sporting problems. And as a spectacle, football is so much better when it’s played with grace, sportsmanship and no diving.
July 24, 2011 at 9:41 am
I couldn’t watch it (it’s only on pay TV) but I’ve read hints in the newspapers here that there is some kind of women’s league in Japan. The Japan Times had a description of how hard it is to be a professional women’s soccer player in Japan, but I can’t find it now – most of the players worked part time and casual work and lived on the poverty line while they were achieving this historic win, and only two or three made enough money to live on. Apparently one of these players worked for the Tokyo Electric Power Company girls’ soccer team – sadly, in Fukushima. It’s been disbanded and she had to move to Kobe. But maybe this victory will see an injection of life into the league sufficient to draw attention to it. Once Japanese women’s purchasing power is roused, it cannot be stopped.