Homare Sawa

Homare Sawa 2011

Homare Sawa (Japanese泽 穂 希, Sawa Homare, born September 6, 1978 in Fuchū, Tokyo Prefecture) is a Japanese football player. The midfielder is considered the best soccer player of their country. It was in 2011 with its selection of world champion and received, inter alia, the Awards Golden Ball as the best player of the World Cup as well as Player of the Year 2011. First time in 2012, it reached at the Summer Olympic Games in London with Japan the final, but lost to the United States with 1:2.

Club career

At the age of 12 years old Sawa was her debut in 1991 in Japanese Women's League JLSL. In her first season she scored five goals in 13 games for their club Yomiuri Beleza ( NTV Beleza later ) and helped her team thus the title. In the years 1992 and 1993, followed by other championships. In 1999, she joined the American professional league WUSA, where she played for Colorado Rush and Atlanta Beat. After setting the WUSA in 2003 Sawa returned to Beleza; there it was 2005-2008 four times in a row, a Japanese master. In 2009 she went again to the United States to play at Washington Freedom.

National

In the Japanese national soccer team of women Sawa was first appointed at the age of 15, on December 6, 1993, she made ​​her international debut and contributed four goals in the 15-0 victory for the Japanese women about the Philippines. At the World Cup in 1995 it belonged to the squad of Japan, reaching the quarter-finals of their team. They also took part in the World Championships in 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011 and the 1996 Olympic Games, 2004 and 2008 in part. In 2012, she was also participant of the Summer Olympic Games.

The first title win with the team succeeded Sawa of Japan in 2008, when you could decide to be held in China East championship. In the same year, Japan reached the fourth place in the Olympic Games in Beijing, its largest to the 2011 World Cup success on the international stage.

2011 you get in the World Cup three goals against Mexico during the second round match; she secured her crew being taken ahead of the next round. In the finals, she scored in the 117th minute of extra time with a spectacular hack hit the 2-2 draw against the team of the United States. In the ensuing penalty shootout, Japan prevailed 3-1 and was first world champion. Sawa was charged with five goals scored top scorer of the tournament and was also awarded the golden trophy of the best player of the tournament. They also participated as a captain of the Japanese team against the golden trophy for the fairest team and was voted Player of the Year 2011.

Sawa also belonged to the Japanese squad for the Olympic Games in London and took part with it for the fourth time in the games. She came in five of six games for use, including in the 1:2 lost against the USA finals and won the silver medal with her team. After the final defeat she announced her departure from the national team.

Overall, they played 18 World Cup matches and 17 games in the Olympics and World Cup scored 8 goals and 3 goals in the Olympics.

On February 18, 2005, she wore from her 100th international game for Japan. With 188 caps and 81 goals it is today both record national as well as top scorer of the Japanese women's team. 2004 and 2008 Sawa was voted Asia's Player of the Year. After 186 caps and 81 international goals, Sawa announced on August 11, 2012 her career end in the national team. On 13 June 2013, it was called forth for the game against New Zealand in June and also used. No further appeal was made for the friendly against Nigeria on September 22, 2013, in which it was also used.

Achievements

  • Japanese champion 2005-2008
  • East Asia Champion 2008 and 2010
  • Gold medal at the Asian Games 2010 in Guangzhuo
  • World Champion at the World Cup 2011 Women in Germany
  • Silver medal at the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London

Awards

  • 2004 and 2008: Asia's Player of the Year
  • 2011: Golden Shoe as top scorer of the World Cup
  • 2011: Golden Ball as the best player of the World Cup
  • 2011: FIFA Ballon d' Or ( World Player of the Year)
  • 2012: Nominated for the Laureus World Sports Awards / World Sportswoman of the Year
Atlanta Beat (WPS) Tokyo Verdy 2010 Asian Games Laureus World Sports Award for Sportswoman of the Year Abby Wambach
397348
de