Norio Sasaki, the Japan coach, is banking on experience to lead the Nadeshiko to another Women’s World Cup triumph, but the trusted troops have shown weakness in the lead-up to their title defence.
A ninth-placed finish at the 12-team Algarve Cup in March was not ideal preparation and Sasaki reacted by recalling 36-year-old Homare Sawa for the tournament in Canada, which starts on Saturday.
Sawa scored the equaliser in the closing stages of extra time in the 2011 final against the United States, which forced the penalty shootout they won to take the prize, but Sawa’s chances of making a record sixth finals looked over after being left on the sidelines for 12 months by Sasaki.
Injuries and a loss of form after a brief retirement in 2012 looked to have taken their toll before some domestic goals for her club side led to a recall.
Sasaki said their was no sentiment in bringing back Japan’s most capped international and record goal scorer for the tournament, with the holders in Group C where they will begin their campaign against Switzerland on Monday in Vancouver.
“Let me stress that experience is not all she brings. I’m selecting her on her present form and fitness,” he said upon naming the squad last month.
Sawa, player of the tournament and top scorer in 2011, is one of 17 players in the 23-woman squad that were victorious in Germany.
Sasaki said the Algarve Cup performances, where they lost to Denmark and France, led to him opting against naming too many new names in the squad.
“Ideally, we would’ve liked more fresh, young faces in the squad but when you look at what we’re trying to achieve – to win another title – we need players with consistency and experience.”
Despite Sawa’s return, twice Asian Player of the Year Aya Miyama will continue to lead the side who will again employ a short sharp passing style to navigate their taller opponents.
Topping Group C, with Cameroon and Ecuador the other two sides in the group, would ensure a last-16 clash against a third-ranked side and then a probable quarter-final against Brazil.
The ingredients are all there for another Japanese triumph and the favourable draw also helps in the mind of Sasaki.
“Because of the experience, we will be able to gel quickly and it shouldn’t take time to get everyone on the same wavelength,” Sasaki said, “and every player on the squad is a fighter.”
The tournament begins on Saturday with hosts Canada facing China in Edmonton in Group A, while New Zealand take on the Netherlands.
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