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Open Image ModalJapan\'s forward Mana Iwabuchi stretches in the air to reach the ball during their Group C football match of the 2015 FIFA Women\'s World Cup against Ecuador in Winnipeg, Manitoba on June 16, 2015. Japan defeated Ecuador 1-0. AFP PHOTO/JEWEL SAMAD (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JEWEL SAMAD via Getty Images)
Netherlands v Japan Round of 16 - FIFA Women's World Cup 2015(02 of34)
Open Image ModalVANCOUVER, BC - JUNE 23: Mizuho Sakaguchi #6 and Rumi Utsugi #13 of Japan celebrate at the final whistle after defeating the Netherlands 2-1 during the FIFA Women\'s World Cup Canada 2015 Round of 16 match between the Netherlands and Japan June, 23, 2015 at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images) (credit:Rich Lam via Getty Images)
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Open Image ModalMembers of the Japan team celebrate after defeating the Netherlands 2-1 in ther round of 16 football match at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver during the FIFA Women\'s World Cup Canada 2015 on June 23, 2015. AFP PHOTO/ANDY CLARK (Photo credit should read ANDY CLARK/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ANDY CLARK via Getty Images)
Netherlands v Japan Round of 16 - FIFA Women's World Cup 2015(04 of34)
Open Image ModalVANCOUVER, BC - JUNE 23: Goalkeeper Ayumi Kaihori #18 of Japana celebrates with Mana Iwabuchi #16 and Yuki Ogimi #17 after defeating the Netherlands 2-1 during the FIFA Women\'s World Cup Canada 2015 Round of 16 match between the Netherlands and Japan June, 23, 2015 at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images) (credit:Rich Lam via Getty Images)
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Open Image ModalJapan\'s midfielder Mizuho Sakaguchi celebrates her goal against Netherlands with teammates during the round of 16 football match between Japan and the Netherlands at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver during the FIFA Women\'s World Cup Canada 2015 on June 23, 2015. AFP PHOTO/ANDY CLARK (Photo credit should read ANDY CLARK/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ANDY CLARK via Getty Images)
Netherlands v Japan Round of 16 - FIFA Women's World Cup 2015(06 of34)
Open Image ModalVANCOUVER, BC - JUNE 23: Mizuho Sakaguchi #6 of Japan celebrates with teammate Nahomi Kawasumi #9 after scoring a goal as Lieke Martens #11 of the Netherlands looks on during the FIFA Women\'s World Cup Canada 2015 Round of 16 match between the Netherlands and Japan June, 23, 2015 at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Stefanie van der Gragt #3 of the Netherlands walk past the celebrations. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images) (credit:Rich Lam via Getty Images)
Netherlands v Japan Round of 16 - FIFA Women's World Cup 2015(07 of34)
Open Image ModalVANCOUVER, BC - JUNE 23: Stefanie van der Gragt #3 of the Netherlands battles with Yuki Ogimi #17 and Saki Kumagai #4 of Japan for the ball during the FIFA Women\'s World Cup Canada 2015 Round of 16 match between the Netherlands and Japan June, 23, 2015 at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images) (credit:Rich Lam via Getty Images)
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Open Image ModalJapan midfielder Mizuho Sakaguchi (C) is congratulated by teammates after scoring as Netherlands midfielder Anouk Dekker (L) walks away during the round of 16 football match between Japan and the Netherlands at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver during the FIFA Women\'s World Cup Canada 2015 on June 23, 2015. AFP PHOTO/ANDY CLARK (Photo credit should read ANDY CLARK/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ANDY CLARK via Getty Images)
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Open Image ModalJapan fans cheer as the team comes on the pitch prior to their game against Netherlands during the round of 16 football match between Japan and the Netherlands at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver during the FIFA Women\'s World Cup Canada 2015 on June 23, 2015. AFP PHOTO/ANDY CLARK (Photo credit should read ANDY CLARK/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ANDY CLARK via Getty Images)
Netherlands v Japan Round of 16 - FIFA Women's World Cup 2015(10 of34)
Open Image ModalVANCOUVER, BC - JUNE 23: The starting eleven of Japan prior to the start of the FIFA Women\'s World Cup Canada 2015 Round of 16 match between the Netherlands and Japan June, 23, 2015 at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images) (credit:Rich Lam via Getty Images)
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Open Image ModalJapan defender Saori Ariyoshi waves to teammates after scoring against the Netherlands during the round of 16 football match between Japan and the Netherlands at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver during the FIFA Women\'s World Cup Canada 2015 on June 23, 2015. AFP PHOTO/ANDY CLARK (Photo credit should read ANDY CLARK/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ANDY CLARK via Getty Images)
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Open Image ModalJapan\'s defender Saori Ariyoshi (R) is embraced by teammate Yuki Ogimi after scoring against the Netherlands during the round of 16 football match between Japan and the Netherlands at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver during the FIFA Women\'s World Cup Canada 2015 on June 23, 2015. AFP PHOTO/ANDY CLARK (Photo credit should read ANDY CLARK/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ANDY CLARK via Getty Images)
Ecuador v Japan: Group C - FIFA Women's World Cup 2015(13 of34)
Open Image ModalWINNIPEG, MB - JUNE 16: Homare Sawa #10 of Japan battles Monica Quinteros #11 of Ecuador for a header during the FIFA Women\'s World Cup Canada 2015 Group C match between Ecuador and Japan at Winnipeg Stadium on June 16, 2015 in Winnipeg, Canada. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) (credit:Kevin C. Cox via Getty Images)
Ecuador v Japan: Group C - FIFA Women's World Cup 2015(14 of34)
Open Image ModalWINNIPEG, MB - JUNE 16: Homare Sawa #10 of Japan against Ecuador during the FIFA Women\'s World Cup Canada 2015 Group C match between Ecuador and Japan at Winnipeg Stadium on June 16, 2015 in Winnipeg, Canada. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) (credit:Kevin C. Cox via Getty Images)
Ecuador v Japan: Group C - FIFA Women's World Cup 2015(15 of34)
Open Image ModalWINNIPEG, MB - JUNE 16: Yuki Ogimi #17 of Japan against Ecuador during the FIFA Women\'s World Cup Canada 2015 Group C match between Ecuador and Japan at Winnipeg Stadium on June 16, 2015 in Winnipeg, Canada. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) (credit:Kevin C. Cox via Getty Images)
Ecuador v Japan: Group C - FIFA Women's World Cup 2015(16 of34)
Open Image ModalWINNIPEG, MB - JUNE 16: Homare Sawa #10 of Japan in action against Ecuador during the FIFA Women\'s World Cup Canada 2015 Group C match between Ecuador and Japan at Winnipeg Stadium on June 16, 2015 in Winnipeg, Canada. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) (credit:Kevin C. Cox via Getty Images)
Ecuador v Japan: Group C - FIFA Women's World Cup 2015(17 of34)
Open Image ModalWINNIPEG, MB - JUNE 16: Goalkeeper Miho Fukumoto #1 of Japan yells to her teammates against Ecuador during the FIFA Women\'s World Cup Canada 2015 Group C match between Ecuador and Japan at Winnipeg Stadium on June 16, 2015 in Winnipeg, Canada. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) (credit:Kevin C. Cox via Getty Images)
Ecuador v Japan: Group C - FIFA Women's World Cup 2015(18 of34)
Open Image ModalWINNIPEG, MB - JUNE 16: Japan celebrates their 1-0 win over Ecuador during the FIFA Women\'s World Cup Canada 2015 Group C match between Ecuador and Japan at Winnipeg Stadium on June 16, 2015 in Winnipeg, Canada. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) (credit:Kevin C. Cox via Getty Images)
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Open Image ModalEcuador\'s midfielder Erika Vasquez (back) and Japan\'s defender Saori Ariyoshi vie for the ball during their Group C football match of the 2015 FIFA Women\'s World Cup in Winnipeg, Manitoba on June 16, 2015. Japan defeated Ecuador 1-0. AFP PHOTO/JEWEL SAMAD (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JEWEL SAMAD via Getty Images)
Ecuador v Japan: Group C - FIFA Women's World Cup 2015(20 of34)
Open Image ModalWINNIPEG, MB - JUNE 16: Homare Sawa #10 of Japan against Ecuador during the FIFA Women\'s World Cup Canada 2015 Group C match between Ecuador and Japan at Winnipeg Stadium on June 16, 2015 in Winnipeg, Canada. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) (credit:Kevin C. Cox via Getty Images)
Ecuador v Japan: Group C - FIFA Women's World Cup 2015(21 of34)
Open Image ModalWINNIPEG, MB - JUNE 16: Shinobu Ohno #11 of Japan against Ecuador during the FIFA Women\'s World Cup Canada 2015 Group C match between Ecuador and Japan at Winnipeg Stadium on June 16, 2015 in Winnipeg, Canada. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) (credit:Kevin C. Cox via Getty Images)
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Open Image ModalJapan\'s midfielder Homare Sawa (C) is challenged by Ecuador\'s players during their Group C football match of the 2015 FIFA Women\'s World Cup in Winnipeg, Manitoba on June 16, 2015. Japan defeated Ecuador 1-0. AFP PHOTO/JEWEL SAMAD (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JEWEL SAMAD via Getty Images)
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Open Image ModalEcuador\'s forward Giannina Lattanzio (R) and Japan\'s forward Yuki Ogimi vie for the ball during their Group C football match of the 2015 FIFA Women\'s World Cup in Winnipeg, Manitoba on June 16, 2015. AFP PHOTO/JEWEL SAMAD (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JEWEL SAMAD via Getty Images)
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Open Image ModalEcuador\'s forward Monica Quinteros (C) is challenged by Japan\'s midfielders Aya Miyama (L) and Homare Sawa (R) during their Group C football match of the 2015 FIFA Women\'s World Cup in Winnipeg, Manitoba on June 16, 2015. AFP PHOTO/JEWEL SAMAD (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JEWEL SAMAD via Getty Images)
Ecuador v Japan: Group C - FIFA Women's World Cup 2015(25 of34)
Open Image ModalWINNIPEG, MB - JUNE 16: Yuki Ogimi #17 of Japan reacts after scoring the first goal against Angie Ponce #6 of Ecuador during the FIFA Women\'s World Cup Canada 2015 Group C match between Ecuador and Japan at Winnipeg Stadium on June 16, 2015 in Winnipeg, Canada. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) (credit:Kevin C. Cox via Getty Images)
Ecuador v Japan: Group C - FIFA Women's World Cup 2015(26 of34)
Open Image ModalWINNIPEG, MB - JUNE 16: Japan poses for a team photo prior to the FIFA Women\'s World Cup Canada 2015 Group C match between Ecuador and Japan at Winnipeg Stadium on June 16, 2015 in Winnipeg, Canada. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) (credit:Kevin C. Cox via Getty Images)
Ecuador v Japan: Group C - FIFA Women's World Cup 2015(27 of34)
Open Image ModalWINNIPEG, MB - JUNE 16: Yuki Ogimi #17 of Japan celebrates her goal against Ecuador with Yuika Sugasawa #15 during the FIFA Women\'s World Cup Canada 2015 Group C match between Ecuador and Japan at Winnipeg Stadium on June 16, 2015 in Winnipeg, Canada. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) (credit:Kevin C. Cox via Getty Images)
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Open Image ModalJapan\'s defender Kana Kitahara (R) and Eucador\'s forward Monica Quinteros vie for the ball at the Winnipeg Stadium during their Group C football match of the 2015 FIFA Women\'s World Cup in Winnipeg, Manitoba on June 16, 2015. AFP PHOTO/JEWEL SAMAD (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JEWEL SAMAD via Getty Images)
Japan v Switzerland: Group C - FIFA Women's World Cup 2015(29 of34)
Open Image ModalVANCOUVER, BC - MAY 8: Yuki Ogimi of #17 Japan reacts after getting fouled by Cinzia Zehnder #8 of Switzerland during the FIFA Women\'s World Cup Canada 2015 Group C match between Japan and Switzerland June, 8, 2015 at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images) (credit:Rich Lam via Getty Images)
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Open Image ModalJapan defender Saori Ariyosho (C) embraces Azusa Iwashimizu as teammates Nahomi Kawasumi (L) and Yuri Kawamuraas celebrate their win over Switzerland during a Group C football at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver during the FIFA Women\'s World Cup Canada 2015 on June 8, 2015. AFP PHOTO/ANDY CLARK (Photo credit should read ANDY CLARK/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ANDY CLARK via Getty Images)
Japan v Switzerland: Group C - FIFA Women's World Cup 2015(31 of34)
Open Image ModalVANCOUVER, BC - MAY 8: Mizuho Sakaguchi #6 of Japan shoots on net after getting past Cinzia Zehnder #8 of Switzerland during the FIFA Women\'s World Cup Canada 2015 Group C match between Japan and Switzerland June, 8, 2015 at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images) (credit:Rich Lam via Getty Images)
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Open Image ModalSwitzerland forward Lara Dickenmann (L) and Japan defender Azusa Iwashimizu head the ball during a Group C football match between Switzerland and Japan at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver during the FIFA Women\'s World Cup Canada 2015 on June 8, 2015. AFP PHOTO/ANDY CLARK (Photo credit should read ANDY CLARK/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ANDY CLARK via Getty Images)
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Open Image ModalJapan defender Saori heads the ball as Switzerland forward Ramona Bachmann (R) looks on during a Group C football match between Switzerland and Japan at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver during the FIFA Women\'s World Cup Canada 2015 on June 8, 2015. AFP PHOTO/ANDY CLARK (Photo credit should read ANDY CLARK/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ANDY CLARK via Getty Images)
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Open Image ModalJapanese women\'s football team coach Norio Sasaki announces new national team members for the FIFA Women\'s World Cup in Tokyo on May 1, 2015. Japan\'s defence of the women\'s World Cup received a boost when superstar Homare Sawa returned to the fold for the tournament, which begins in Canada next month. The 36-year-old, whose goals fired Japan to glory in 2011, had been hampered by injuries over the past year, but Japan coach Sasaki insisted that Sawa\'s inclusion in the 23-player squad for her sixth World Cup was not on sentimental grounds. AFP PHOTO / JIJI PRESS JAPAN OUT (Photo credit should read JIJI PRESS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JIJI PRESS via Getty Images)