Japan is the "sentimental favorite" heading into Women's World Cup final

While the U.S. women's team has captured the attention of fans around the world during its memorable run to the World Cup final, Japan is certainly the sentimental favorite to beat the Americans this weekend. And rightfully so.

It’s been just four months since the Asian nation was devastated by an earthquake and tsunami that killed thousands, but for at least 90 minutes it will have something to cheer for. Japan, making its first World Cup final appearance, is one win away from knocking off the top-ranked team and being named world champion.

"We said before the start of the Women’s World Cup that we want to win a medal,” Japan midfielder Kozue Ando said. “Now we can win the World Cup. It is fantastic. We play for all the people in Japan. We hope they can forget for some hours the follows of the earthquake."

Just like the nation, the Japanese women’s team has been fighting an uphill battle. Ranked fourth in the world and coming off a third-place finish in year's Women's Asian Cup, Japan has been an underdog throughout the tournament.

But a dramatic extra-time win over host Germany in the quarterfinals and an easy victory over Sweden in the semifinals proved Japan is a different team than people thought. It could be the direct passing and possession-style soccer that has Japan where it is today, but it’s clear the players are playing for more than themselves.

"They are the sentimental favorites of this tournament and it's pretty clear to us that we're not going to see the same Japan team that we saw in most of the friendlies,” U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo said. “They're playing for something bigger and better than the game, and when you're playing with so much emotion and so much heart that's hard to play against.”

The team is known as 'Nadeshiko Japan' where 'Nadeshiko' literally means 'wild pink', a reference to the Japanese soccer women as wild flowers. It is led by Horare Sawa, the most-capped and top-scoring Japanese international of either gender. UEFA Women's Champions League finalist forward Yuki Nagasato and center Saki Kumagai are also key pieces to Japan’s recent success.

“They have some good players regardless of how tall or short they are and they do it together,” U.S. coach Pia Sundhage said. “Everybody praises them for the way they attack. They keep possession and that’s a pretty good way to defend.”

The U.S. is quite familiar with Japan, having met the team three times already in 2011 and twice in Women’s World Cup history.

“They're now much better than when we played them,” Sundhage said. “By saying that, I mean they're more sophisticated going in to attacking players. They're still very good up on the ball between boxes but now they'll look a little more dangerous.”

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