Sawa urged to stay

Coach Norio Sasaki has urged Japan captain Homare Sawa to keep on playing and help the newly-crowned women’s World Cup winners qualify for the 2012 London Olympic Games.

Homare Sawa, 32, scored the crucial 117th-minute equaliser in the final against the US which tied the scores at 2-2 after extra time as Japan won the penalty shoot-out 3-1 to claim the title, despite being reduced to 10 players.

It was Sawa’s fifth goal of Germany 2011 and the star midfielder scooped two awards as she was voted player of the tournament and also won the Golden Boot as the top-scorer.

She has hinted she may retire after leading her side to victory in her fifth World Cup, having made her tournament debut in 1995, but Sasaki is urging her to continue playing.

“I know the foreign media focus on Homare Sawa, some people believe she is burned out because of her extraordinary performances here,” he said.

“Some people wonder if Sawa is going to continue playing, she is a genuine all-rounder. It would make sense for her to retire at this point, she said she has achieved a lot, but I told her – ‘look, you must continue’.

“She has said she will retire, but that was just a joke.

“We are looking forward now to the Olympic qualification games which start in September and there will be more opportunities to see Homare Sawa.”

The Japanese had defender Azusa Iwashimizu sent off late in extra time for a foul on US striker Alex Morgan, but in the dramatic penalty shoot-out, Japan goalkeeper Ayumi Kaihori was the hero of the hour as she saved two US spot-kicks.

Defender Saki Kumagai then hit the winning penalty to trigger scenes of delight among the Japanese.

Sasaki has said his team has litthe players are expected to play for their clubs this weekend in the league matches.

After the devastating earthquake and tsunami which killed tens of thousands in northeast Japan on March 11, coach Norio Sasaki said messages of support and encouragement from back home had played their part in the World Cup final victory.

“We had lots of support and messages from our relatives in Japan and that was one of the keys for success,” he said.