:Homare Sawa
{{Short description|Japanese footballer (born 1978)}}
{{Redirect|Homare|the World War II aircraft engine|Nakajima Homare}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2022}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Homare Sawa
{{nobold|澤 穂希}}
| image = Homare Sawa 2015 (cropped).jpg
| upright = 0.9
| caption = Sawa at the 2015 World Cup
| fullname = Homare Sawa{{cite web |url=https://www.fifadata.com/document/FWWC/2011/pdf/FWWC_2011_SquadLists.pdf |title=FIFA Women's World Cup Germany 2011 – List of Players: Japan |work=FIFA |page=9 |date=28 July 2014 |access-date=11 November 2021 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191122041659/https://www.fifadata.com/document/FWWC/2011/pdf/FWWC_2011_SquadLists.pdf |archive-date=22 November 2019}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1978|9|6|df=y}}
| birth_place = Fuchū, Tokyo, Japan
| death_date =
| death_place =
| position = Midfielder
| currentclub =
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 =
| years1 = 1991–1999
| clubs1 = NTV Beleza
| caps1 = 136
| goals1 = 79
| years2 = 1999–2000
| clubs2 = Denver Diamonds
| caps2 =
| goals2 =
| years3 = 2001–2003
| clubs3 = Atlanta Beat
| caps3 = 55
| goals3 = 13
| years4 = 2004–2008
| clubs4 = Nippon TV Beleza
| caps4 = 85
| goals4 = 47
| years5 = 2009–2010
| clubs5 = Washington Freedom
| caps5 = 41
| goals5 = 6
| years6 = 2009
| clubs6 = → Nippon TV Beleza (loan)
| caps6 = 4
| goals6 = 2
| years7 = 2010
| clubs7 = Nippon TV Beleza
| caps7 = 0
| goals7 = 0
| years8 = 2011–2015
| clubs8 = INAC Kobe Leonessa
| caps8 = 94
| goals8 = 12
| totalcaps = 415
| totalgoals = 159
| nationalyears1 = 1993–2015
| nationalteam1 = Japan
| nationalcaps1 = 205
| nationalgoals1 = 83
| manageryears1 =
| managerclubs1 =
| medaltemplates = {{MedalSport|Women's football}}
{{Medal|Country|{{fbw|JPN}}}}
{{Medal|Competition|Olympic Games}}
{{Medal|S|2012 London|Team}}
{{Medal|Competition|FIFA Women's World Cup}}
{{Medal|W|2011 Germany|}}
{{Medal|RU|2015 Canada|}}
{{Medal|Competition|AFC Women's Asian Cup}}
{{Medal|W|2014 Vietnam|}}
{{Medal|RU|1995 Malaysia|}}
{{Medal|RU|2001 Chinese Taipei|}}
{{Medal|B|1993 Malaysia|}}
{{Medal|B|1997 China|}}
{{Medal|B|2008 Vietnam|}}
{{Medal|B|2010 China|}}
{{Medal|Competition|Asian Games}}
{{Medal|G|2010 Guangzhou|Team}}
{{Medal|S|1994 Hiroshima|Team}}
{{Medal|B|1998 Bangkok|Team}}
{{Medal|B|2002 Busan|Team}}
}}
{{Nihongo|Homare Sawa|澤 穂希|Sawa Homare|born 6 September 1978}} is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a forward or a midfielder. Regarded by many as one of the greatest female footballers of all time,{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/aug/03/the-20-greatest-female-football-players-soccer |title=The 20 greatest female football players of all time |first=Michael |last=Lewis |website=The Guardian |date=3 August 2016 |access-date=23 October 2021}}{{cite web |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1694044-ranking-the-10-greatest-female-soccer-players-in-history |title=Ranking the 10 Greatest Female Soccer Players in History |first=Jerrad |last=Peters |website=bleacherreport.com |publisher=Bleacher Report |date=4 July 2013 |access-date=23 October 2021}}{{cite web |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2290304-20-greatest-women-footballers-of-all-time |title=20 Greatest Women Footballers of All Time |first=Karl |last=Matchett |website=bleacherreport.com |publisher=Bleacher Report |date=5 December 2014 |access-date=23 October 2021}} Sawa had a professional club career spanning 24 seasons, mostly with Nippon TV Beleza and INAC Kobe Leonessa. She also spent 22 years with the Japan national team, most notably captaining them to a FIFA Women's World Cup win in 2011 and an Olympic silver medal finish in 2012.
Sawa made her club debut in 1991 at the age of 12, and went on to win five titles with Nippon TV Beleza between 1991 and 1999 before departing to the United States to play football in the Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA). She played for two WUSA clubs, the Atlanta Beat and the Denver Diamonds, before returning to the Japanese league in 2004. Sawa won another nine titles with Nippon TV Beleza in four years, but left the club again in 2008. That year, Japan reached their first Olympic medal match at the Summer Olympics, and Sawa was Japan's top scorer of the tournament.
In 2011, Sawa captained the Japan national team at the 2011 World Cup. In Germany, Japan advanced to their first final of a major international tournament, where Sawa scored Japan's match-tying goal in extra time, allowing Japan to win the match on penalties. She finished the tournament with the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player and the Golden Boot as the tournament's top scorer. Later in the year, Sawa was named the 2011 FIFA Women's World Player of the Year, the first Asian person regardless of gender to receive a major year-end individual award. She later captained Japan to a silver medal finish at the 2012 Summer Olympics and then retired from international football for the first time immediately after the completion of the tournament.
Sawa returned to her role in the Japan national team to play in the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, her sixth World Cup and the final major international tournament of her career. Japan reached their second-ever Women's World Cup final that year, and after a runner-up finish, she retired from international football for the second and final time. At the end of the year, after winning the 2015 Empress's Cup with INAC Kobe Leonessa, she retired from football completely. She retired from club football with 11 league titles and 8 domestic cup titles in the Japanese League, and was also named to the league's Best XI for 11 seasons.
Sawa remains the leader in both caps and goals for Japan, with 205 and 83 respectively.
Early life
Sawa was born in Fuchū, Tokyo on 6 September 1978. She began playing football at the age of six. While watching her older brother train, she was invited by his coach to join the boys' team on the pitch.{{cite web|title=Homare Sawa|url=http://www.london2012.com/athlete/sawa-homare-1019517/|publisher=2012 London Olympics Committee|access-date=1 May 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130502014639/http://www.london2012.com/athlete/sawa-homare-1019517/|archive-date=2 May 2013}}
Club career
=NTV Beleza=
In 1991, long considered Japan's finest female footballer, Sawa was promoted to Yomiuri Beleza (later NTV Beleza) from youth team by manager Kazuhiko Takemoto. She made her debut in L.League, Japan's highest domestic league, at the young age of 12.{{cite web|title=Star bio: Japan's Homare Sawa|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/star-bio-japan-s-homare-sawa-1.1070138|publisher=CBC Sports|access-date=1 May 2013}} She played as forward and played 136 matches and scored 79 goals in League. She was also selected Best Eleven 5 times (1993, 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998).
In 1999, NTV Beleza cancelled Sawa's contract, forcing her to move abroad to the United States.{{cite web |url=https://www.todofutbol.cl/2021/07/26/54137/ |title=La historia de las "Nadeshiko Japan", que se preparan así para enfrentar este martes, de madrugada, a Chile |website=todofutbol.cl |publisher=Todofútbol.cl |date=26 July 2021 |access-date=23 October 2021}}
=Atlanta Beat=
With the birth of the Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) in 2001, Sawa found herself playing in the highest-level professional women's league in the United States, for the Atlanta Beat. With Asian compatriot Sun Wen in the team, she scored the first goal in the club's history, and was a centerpiece of the Beat's three seasons in the league, helping them into the playoffs each year. Despite her diminutive stature at {{convert|5|ft|5|in|cm|abbr=on}} tall and {{convert|121|lb|kg}}, she held her own with the mostly larger and more physical players, and was regularly among the team and league leaders in fouls taken.{{citation needed|date=April 2013}}
=Nippon TV Beleza=
Following the WUSA's demise in 2003, Sawa returned to Japan, where she played with powerhouse Nippon TV Beleza. In 2004, she was named Women's Player of the Year for the Asian Football Confederation.{{Cite web |title=Olympedia – Homare Sawa |url=https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/26160 |access-date=2024-11-06 |website=www.olympedia.org}} She played the club until 2008. The club won L.League championship for four years in a row (2005–2008). She also was selected L.League MVP awards in 2006 and 2008.
=Washington Freedom=
On 24 September 2008, Sawa was selected by the Washington Freedom in the first round of the 2008 WPS International Draft. She was a fixture in the Freedom midfield through the league's first two seasons in 2009 and 2010.
=Nippon TV Beleza and INAC Kobe Leonessa=
Sawa returned to Japan temporarily at the end of the 2009 Women's Professional Soccer season, and joined Nippon TV Beleza on loan.[http://www.nikkansports.com/soccer/news/f-sc-tp0-20090821-533832.html nikkansports.com]{{in lang|ja}} At the end of 2010 Women's Professional Soccer season, she returned to Nippon TV Beleza.
In January 2011, Sawa moved to INAC Kobe Leonessa due to financial strain at Nippon TV Beleza, with international players; Shinobu Ohno, Yukari Kinga, and Chiaki Minamiyama. The club won the L.League championship three years in a row (2011–2013). On 16 December 2015, she announced her intent to retire at the end of the 2015 season. At the 2015 Empress's Cup, Sawa's final tournament as a player, INAC Kobe Leonessa reached the final. In the final against Albirex Niigata on 27 December, she scored the lone goal of the match in the 78th minute to secure the championship for her side.[http://www.jfa.jp/match/empressscup_2015/schedule_result/pdf/m47.pdf Match Report at Japan Football Association]{{in lang|ja}}
International career
On 6 December 1993, at age 15, Sawa made her Japanese international debut, scoring four goals in her first ever match, a win against the Philippines. Sawa debuted in her first Women's World Cup tournament in 1995, making her first start at 16 years old against Germany.{{cite web |url=https://equalizersoccer.com/2015/06/09/homare-sawa-formiga-record-sixth-world-cup/ |title=Sawa, Formiga set record with 6th World Cups |website=equalizersoccer.com |publisher=Equalizer Soccer |first=Jeff |last=Kassouf |date=9 June 2015 |access-date=21 October 2021}}
On 12 July 2003, Sawa scored the tie-winning goal against Mexico in 2003 Women's World Cup qualification play-offs to secure Japan's participation in the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup.{{cite web |url=http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/03/en/t/p/mr/mr33541.html |title=2003 FIFA World Cup (™) Match Report |website=fifaworldcup.yahoo.com |publisher=Yahoo |date=12 July 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050831215107/http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/03/en/t/p/mr/mr33541.html |access-date=23 October 2021|archive-date=31 August 2005 }}
Sawa played in all of Japan's matches at the 2004 Olympics, leading them to the knockout round of a major international tournament for the first time in Japan's history.
Sawa scored a hat trick in a 2011 World Cup group stage match against Mexico, becoming the then-oldest player in World Cup history to score a hat trick.{{cite web |url=https://equalizersoccer.com/2011/07/01/japan-throttles-mexico-4-0-sawa-nets-hat-trick/ |title=Japan throttles Mexico 4-0, Sawa nets hat trick |website=equalizersoccer.com |publisher=Equalizer Soccer |first=Jeff |last=Kassouf |date=1 July 2011 |access-date=21 October 2021}}{{cite web |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2011/07/03/soccer/international-soccer/sawas-hat-trick-powers-japan-in-rout-of-mexico/ |title=Sawa's hat trick powers Japan in rout of Mexico |website=japantimes.co.jp |publisher=The Japan Times |date=3 July 2011 |access-date=23 October 2021}} Sawa led the Japanese national team as captain to a world championship victory at the 2011 World Cup . After a 2–2 tie in front of a sellout crowd in Frankfurt, Germany (with one goal by Sawa in the 117th minute), Japan won the penalty shootout 3–1, defeating the United States to win their first ever World Cup.{{Cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/jul/17/usa-japan-live-world-cup-final |title=USA v Japan - as it happened |date=17 July 2011 |publisher=Guardian |access-date=13 April 2020}} Sawa was awarded the Golden Boot for being the tournament's leading scorer with five goals and the Golden Ball for being the tournament's MVP.{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/womens/womensworldcup/germany2011/news/sawa-could-never-imagine-this-1476580 |title=Sawa: I could never imagine this |website=fifa.com |publisher=FIFA |date=18 July 2011 |access-date=23 October 2021}}
On 9 January 2012, Sawa was awarded the FIFA Women's World Player of the Year in Zurich, Switzerland.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/16480923|title=Japan's Homare Sawa is FIFA women's player of the year|date=9 January 2012|work=BBC News |access-date=10 January 2012}} She broke Marta’s streak of 5 consecutive FIFA Women's World Player of the Year awards, and also became the first Asian person regardless of gender to receive a major individual year-end award.{{cite web |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2012/01/11/soccer/sawa-messi-named-players-of-year/ |title=Sawa, Messi named Players of Year |website=japantimes.co.jp |publisher=The Japan Times |date=11 January 2012 |access-date=23 October 2021}}
In February of that year, Aya Miyama took over captaincy of Japan from Sawa.{{cite web |url=https://www.womenssoccerunited.com/aya-miyama-announced-as-new-nadeshiko-japans-captain-homare-sawa-steps-down/ |title=Aya Miyama announced as new Nadeshiko Japan's captain, Homare Sawa steps down |website=womenssoccerunited.com |publisher=Women’s Soccer United |date=27 February 2012 |access-date=21 October 2021 |archive-date=24 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024014938/https://www.womenssoccerunited.com/aya-miyama-announced-as-new-nadeshiko-japans-captain-homare-sawa-steps-down/ |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=https://equalizersoccer.com/2015/05/01/homare-sawa-named-japan-womens-world-cup-roster-record-6th-world-cup/ |title=Sawa makes Japan roster for record 6th World Cup |website=equalizersoccer.com |publisher=Equalizer Soccer |first=Jeff |last=Kassouf |date=1 May 2015 |access-date=21 October 2021}}
File:Ogimi scores vs USA, 2012 Olympic gold medal match.jpg (17) scores for Japan against the United States off a pass from Homare Sawa (10) as Kelley O'Hara (5) defends and Hope Solo (1) attempts to save.]]
At the 2012 London Olympics, Japan met the United States in the gold medal match where they were defeated 2–1.{{cite web |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2012/08/10/olympics/u-s-defeats-nadeshiko-japan-2-1-in-womens-olympic-soccer-final/ |title=U.S. defeats Nadeshiko Japan 2-1 in women's Olympic soccer final |website=japantimes.co.jp |publisher=The Japan Times |date=10 August 2012 |access-date=23 October 2021 |archive-date=24 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024064458/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2012/08/10/olympics/u-s-defeats-nadeshiko-japan-2-1-in-womens-olympic-soccer-final/ |url-status=dead }} She announced her immediate retirement from international football in August 2012.{{cite web|url=http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/japans-sawa-set-quit-international-football-065436399.html|title=Japan's Sawa set to quit international football|date=11 August 2012|publisher=Reuters|access-date=11 August 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150528140836/https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/japans-sawa-set-quit-international-football-065436399.html|archive-date=28 May 2015}} In October 2012, she was shortlisted for the 2012 FIFA Women's World Player of the Year, where she finished 4th place in the voting.{{cite web |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2012/10/27/soccer/international-soccer/japan-trio-in-running-for-fifa-award/ |title=Japan trio in running for FIFA award |website=japantimes.co.jp |publisher=The Japan Times |date=27 October 2012 |access-date=23 October 2021 |archive-date=27 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627065249/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2012/10/27/soccer/international-soccer/japan-trio-in-running-for-fifa-award/ |url-status=dead }}
Sawa returned to international competition in 2014 at the 2014 AFC Women's Asian Cup, which served as qualifiers to the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup. Sawa scored Japan's opening goal in the semifinal against China, helping Japan win 2–1 to send them to the final.{{cite web |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/05/22/soccer/international-soccer/japan-secures-spot-womens-asian-cup-final/ |title=Japan secures spot in Women's Asian Cup final |website=japantimes.co.jp |publisher=The Japan Times |date=22 May 2014 |access-date=23 October 2021}} Japan went on to win the final 1–0 against Australia, claiming their first ever Asian Cup title.{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/news/newsid=2338016//story-fni2fopz-1226930152147|title=Lesser lights eye share of the spotlight|date=13 May 2014|publisher=FIFA|access-date=25 May 2014}}{{dead link|date=October 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/may/26/matildas-japan-womens-asian-cup-final|title=Matildas fall short in Women's Asian Cup final|date=25 May 2014|work=The Guardian |access-date=25 May 2014}}
Sawa was absent for many months after Japan's Asian Cup win, coinciding with multiple injuries.{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/10/sports/soccer/homare-sawa-mainstay-of-japanese-womens-national-team-is-left-off-roster-at-algarve-cup.html |title=Japanese Women Play Without Their Superstar |website=The New York Times |first=Sam |last=Borden |date=9 March 2015 |access-date=21 October 2021}}{{cite web |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2015/05/01/soccer/womens-world-cup/one-year-absence-sawa-named-nadeshiko-japan-squad-womens-world-cup/ |title=After one-year absence, Sawa named to Nadeshiko Japan squad for Women's World Cup |website=thejapantimes.co.jp |publisher=The Japan Times |date=1 May 2015 |access-date=23 October 2021}} In November 2014, Sawa was a member of the first round of inductees into the Asian Football Hall of Fame.{{cite web |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/11/21/soccer/international-soccer/okudera-sawa-inducted-into-afc-hall-of-fame/ |title=Okudera, Sawa inducted into AFC Hall of Fame |website=thejapantimes.co.jp |publisher=The Japan Times |date=21 November 2014 |access-date=23 October 2021 |archive-date=17 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180617165225/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/11/21/soccer/international-soccer/okudera-sawa-inducted-into-afc-hall-of-fame/ |url-status=dead }} In March 2015, Norio Sasaki left Sawa out of Japan's squad for the 2015 Algarve Cup despite her being injury-free. Her exclusion from the Algarve Cup squad presented speculation that she would not be named to Japan's World Cup roster, as the Algarve Cup was typically used as warm-up matches for major international competitions.{{cite web |url=https://equalizersoccer.com/2015/06/23/round-of-16-game-preview-japan-vs-netherlands/ |title=Round of 16 game preview – Japan vs Netherlands |website=equalizersoccer.com |publisher=Equalizer Soccer |first=Ray |last=Curren |date=23 June 2015 |access-date=21 October 2021}}
To some surprise, Sawa was called into Japan's 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup squad after not featuring for Japan for the second half of 2014 or the early months of 2015. She did not regain her captaincy, however, which was still held by Aya Miyama. She returned to the national team from injury after a one-year absence, marking the occasion by scoring Japan's match-winning goal in a friendly against New Zealand.{{cite web|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2015/05/24/soccer/international-soccer/sawa-returns-winning-goal-nadeshiko-beat-new-zealand/|title=Sawa returns with winning goal as Nadeshiko beat New Zealand|publisher=The Japan Times|date=28 May 2015|access-date=28 May 2015}} On 8 June, she started Japan's first match of the 2015 Women's World Cup, achieving her 200th cap with 57 minutes against Switzerland.{{cite web |url=https://equalizersoccer.com/2015/06/08/japan-opens-title-defense-by-edging-switzerland-1-0/ |title=Japan opens title defense by edging Switzerland, 1-0 |website=equalizersoccer.com |publisher=Equalizer Soccer |first=Dan |last=Lauletta |date=8 June 2015 |access-date=21 October 2021}} Sawa and Brazil's Formiga became the first footballers to appear for a record sixth World Cup.This record was held until Formiga participated in her seventh World Cup in 2019. Sawa had an off-the-bench role for the remainder of the tournament, starting just twice in seven games. Japan went on to advance to the final against the United States, where Sawa was subbed into the match in the 33rd minute after Japan had already conceded four goals. Japan went on to lose 5–2 to the U.S. in the final in what would end up being Sawa's last ever match with the Nadeshiko.{{cite web|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-women-japan-idUKKBN0NM3D120150501|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821094856/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-women-japan-idUKKBN0NM3D120150501|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 August 2016|title=Japan legend Sawa makes cut for sixth World Cup|publisher=Reuters|date=1 May 2015|access-date=28 May 2015}}
On 16 December 2015, Sawa announced her retirement from football after the completion of the 2015 Nadeshiko League season. Sawa's retirement was met with tributes from people across Japanese football, including coach Norio Sasaki, teammates Yuki Nagasato, Eriko Arakawa, and Azusa Iwashimizu, and male footballing compatriot Shunsuke Nakamura.{{cite web |url=https://thewomensgame.com/news/japan-legend-homare-sawa-announces-retirement-483647 |title=Japan legend Homare Sawa announces retirement |website=thewomensgame.com |publisher=The Women’s Game |first=Ann |last=Odong |date=17 December 2015 |access-date=21 October 2021}}
{{clear}}
Career statistics
=Club=
{{updated|11 November 2012}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | |||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="2"|League !colspan="2"|National cup !colspan="2"|League cup !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps
!Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals | |||||||||
| rowspan="10"|Yomiuri Beleza
|1991 |13 | 5 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | ||||||
| 1992
|20 | 3 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | ||||||
| 1993
|17 | 5 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | ||||||
| 1994
|17 | 11 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | ||||||
| 1995
|18 | 16 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | ||||||
| 1996
|17 | 14 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | ||||||
| 1997
|18 | 14 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | ||||||
| 1998
|16 | 11 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | ||||||
| 1999
|0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | ||||||
| colspan="1"|Total
!136 | 79 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| rowspan="3"|Denver Diamonds
|1999 | |colspan="2"|— | ||||||||
| 2000 | |colspan="2"|— | ||||||||
| colspan="1"|Total | ! | ||||||||
| rowspan="4"|Atlanta Beat
|2001 |19 | 3 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 19 | 3 | |||
| 2002
|21 | 7 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 21 | 7 | |||
| 2003
|15 | 3 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 15 | 3 | |||
| colspan="1"|Total
!55 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 55 | 13 |
| rowspan="6"|Nippon TV Beleza
|2004 |6 | 5 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | ||||||
| 2005
|21 | 16 | 5 | 3 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 26 | 19 | ||
| 2006
|17 | 13 | 3 | 2 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 20 | 15 | ||
| 2007
|20 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 26 | 11 | |
| 2008
|21 | 7 | 4 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 25 | 8 | ||
| colspan="1"|Total
!85 | 47 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| rowspan="3"|Washington Freedom
|2009 |20 | 3 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 1{{efn|Appearance in play-offs}} | 0 | 20 | 3 | ||
| 2010
|21 | 3 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 21 | 3 | |||
| colspan="1"|Total
!41 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 41 | 6 |
| Nippon TV Beleza (loan)
|2009 |4 | 2 | 4 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 8 | 3 | ||
| Nippon TV Beleza
|2010 |colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | |||
| rowspan="4"|INAC Kobe Leonessa
|2011 |16 | 4 | 4 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 20 | 4 | ||
| 2012
|17 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 24 | 2 | |
| 2013 | |6 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | ||||||
| colspan="1"|Total
!33 | 6 | 7 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 50 | 6 |
| colspan="2"|Career total | ! |
{{notelist}}
=International=
:Scores and results list Japan's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Sawa goal.
| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Homare Sawa | ||||||
| scope="col"|No.
!scope="col"|Date !scope="col"|Venue !scope="col"|Opponent !scope="col"|Score !scope="col"|Result !scope="col"|Competition | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| align="center"|1 | rowspan="4"|6 December 1993 | rowspan="4"|Sarawak State Stadium, Kuching, Malaysia | rowspan="4"|{{fbw|PHI}} | rowspan="4"|Unknown | rowspan="4" style="text-align:center"|15–0 | rowspan="4"|1993 AFC Women's Championship |
| align="center"|2 | ||||||
| align="center"|3 | ||||||
| align="center"|4 | ||||||
| align="center"|5 | 20 August 1994 | Slovakia | {{fbw|SVK}} | Unknown | align="center"|2–2 | Slovakia international Women's Cup |
| align="center"|6 | rowspan="2"|10 July 1996 | rowspan="2"|Fort Lauderdale, United States | rowspan="2"|{{fbw|AUS}} | rowspan="2"|Unknown | rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|2–2 | rowspan="2"|Friendly |
| align="center"|7 | ||||||
| align="center"|8 | 15 July 1996 | Fort Lauderdale, United States | {{fbw|SWE}} | Unknown | align="center"|1–3 | Friendly |
| align="center"|9 | rowspan="7"|5 December 1997 | rowspan="7"|Guangzhou, China | rowspan="7"|{{fbw|GUM}} | rowspan="7"|Unknown | rowspan="7" style="text-align:center"|21–0 | rowspan="7"|1997 AFC Women's Championship |
| align="center"|10 | ||||||
| align="center"|11 | ||||||
| align="center"|12 | ||||||
| align="center"|13 | ||||||
| align="center"|14 | ||||||
| align="center"|15 | ||||||
| align="center"|16 | 7 December 1997 | Guangzhou, China | {{fbw|IND}} | align="center"|1–0 | align="center"|1–0 | 1997 AFC Women's Championship |
| align="center"|17 | rowspan="3"|9 December 1997 | rowspan="3"|Guangzhou, China | rowspan="3"|{{fbw|HKG}} | rowspan="3"|Unknown | rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|9–0 | rowspan="3"| 1997 AFC Women's Championship |
| align="center"|18 | ||||||
| align="center"|19 | ||||||
| align="center"|20 | rowspan="2"|14 December 1997 | rowspan="2"|Guangzhou, China | rowspan="2"|{{fbw|TPE}} | align="center"|1–0 | rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|2–0 | rowspan="2"| 1997 AFC Women's Championship |
| align="center"|21 | align="center"|2–0 | |||||
| align="center"|22 | 8 December 1998 | Bangkok, Thailand | {{fbw|THA}} | Unknown | align="center"|6–0 | Football at the 1998 Asian Games |
| align="center"|23 | rowspan="3"|12 December 1998 | rowspan="3"|Bangkok, Thailand | rowspan="3"|{{fbw|VIE}} | rowspan="3"|Unknown | rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|8–0 | rowspan="3"| Football at the 1998 Asian Games |
| align="center"|24 | ||||||
| align="center"|25 | ||||||
| align="center"|26 | 17 December 2000 | Phoenix, United States | {{fbw|USA}} | align="center"|1–1 | align="center"|1–1 | Friendly |
| align="center"|27 | rowspan="4"|4 December 2001 | rowspan="4"|Taipei, Taiwan | rowspan="4"|{{fbw|SGP}} | rowspan="4"|Unknown | rowspan="4" style="text-align:center"|14–0 | rowspan="4"|2001 AFC Women's Championship |
| align="center"|28 | ||||||
| align="center"|29 | ||||||
| align="center"|30 | ||||||
| align="center"|31 | rowspan="2"|8 December 2001 | rowspan="2"|Taipei, Taiwan | rowspan="2"|{{fbw|GUM}} | rowspan="2"|Unknown | rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|11–0 | rowspan="2"|2001 AFC Women's Championship |
| align="center"|32 | ||||||
| align="center"|33 | rowspan="2"|9 April 2002 | rowspan="2"|Poitiers, France | rowspan="2"|{{fbw|CAN}} | align="center"|2–1 | rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|3–2 | rowspan="2"|Friendly |
| align="center"|34 | align="center"|3–1 | |||||
| align="center"|35 | 4 October 2002 | Changwon, South Korea | {{fbw|VIE}} | align="center"|3–0 | align="center"|3–0 | Football at the 2002 Asian Games |
| align="center"|36 | 7 October 2002 | Masan, South Korea | {{fbw|KOR}} | align="center"|1–0 | align="center"|1–0 | Football at the 2002 Asian Games |
| align="center"|37 | 9 October 2002 | Changwon, South Korea | {{fbw|CHN}} | align="center"|2–0 | align="center"|2–2 | Football at the 2002 Asian Games |
| align="center"|38 | 9 June 2003 | Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand | {{fbw|PHI}} | align="center"|7–0 | align="center"|15–0 | 2003 AFC Women's Championship |
| align="center"|39 | rowspan="2"|11 June 2003 | rowspan="2"|Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand | rowspan="2"|{{fbw|GUM}} | rowspan="2"|Unknown | rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|7–0 | rowspan="2"|2003 AFC Women's Championship |
| align="center"|40 | ||||||
| align="center"|41 | 13 June 2003 | Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand | {{fbw|MMR}} | Unknown | align="center"|7–0 | 2003 AFC Women's Championship |
| align="center"|42 | rowspan="2"|15 June 2003 | rowspan="2"|Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand | rowspan="2"|{{fbw|TPE}} | rowspan="2"|Unknown | rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|5–0 | rowspan="2"|2003 AFC Women's Championship |
| align="center"|43 | ||||||
| align="center"|44 | 12 July 2003 | National Stadium, Tokyo, Japan | {{fbw|MEX}} | align="center"|1–0 | align="center"|2–0 | 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification Play-offs |
| align="center"|45 | rowspan="2"|20 September 2003 | rowspan="2"|Columbus Crew Stadium, Columbus, United States | rowspan="2"|{{fbw|ARG}} | align="center"|1–0 | rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|6–0 | rowspan="2"|2003 FIFA Women's World Cup |
| align="center"|46 | align="center"|2–0 | |||||
| align="center"|47 | 27 September 2003 | Gillette Stadium, Boston, United States | {{fbw|CAN}} | align="center"|1–0 | align="center"|1–3 | 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup |
| align="center"|48 | 18 April 2004 | National Stadium, Tokyo, Japan | {{fbw|VIE}} | Unknown | align="center"|7–0 | Football at the 2004 Summer Olympics qualification |
| align="center"|49 | 18 December 2004 | Nishigaoka Stadium, Tokyo, Japan | {{fbw|TPE}} | align="center"|6–0 | align="center"|11–0 | Kirin Challenge Cup |
| align="center"|50 | rowspan="2"|21 May 2005 | rowspan="2"|Nishigaoka Stadium, Tokyo, Japan | rowspan="2"|{{fbw|NZL}} | align="center"|1–0 | rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|6–0 | rowspan="2"|Kirin Challenge Cup |
| align="center"|51 | align="center"|3–0 | |||||
| align="center"|52 | 28 May 2005 | Russia | {{fbw|RUS}} | Unknown | align="center"|2–0 | Friendly |
| align="center"|53 | 10 March 2006 | Italy | {{fbw|SCO}} | Unknown | align="center"|4–0 | Friendly |
| align="center"|54 | rowspan="2"|19 July 2006 | rowspan="2"|Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide, Australia | rowspan="2"|{{fbw|VIE}} | align="center"|1–0 | rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|5–0 | rowspan="2"|2006 AFC Women's Asian Cup |
| align="center"|55 | align="center"|2–0 | |||||
| align="center"|56 | rowspan="2"|19 July 2006 | rowspan="2"|Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide, Australia | rowspan="2"|{{fbw|TPE}} | align="center"|4–1 | rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|11–1 | rowspan="2"|2006 AFC Women's Asian Cup |
| align="center"|57 | align="center"|9–1 | |||||
| align="center"|58 | rowspan="2"|30 November 2006 | rowspan="2"|Grand Hamad Stadium, Doha, Qatar | rowspan="2"|{{fbw|JOR}} | align="center"|10–0 | rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|13–0 | rowspan="2"|Football at the 2006 Asian Games |
| align="center"|59 | align="center"|13–0 | |||||
| align="center"|60 | 10 March 2007 | National Stadium, Tokyo, Japan | {{fbw|MEX}} | align="center"|1–0 | align="center"|2–0 | 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification Play-off |
| align="center"|61 | 7 April 2007 | Tokyo, Japan | {{fbw|VNM}} | align="center"|1–0 | align="center"|2–0 | Football at the 2008 Summer Olympics qualification |
| align="center"|62 | 15 April 2007 | Thailand | {{fbw|THA}} | align="center"|1–0 | align="center"|4–0 | Football at the 2008 Summer Olympics qualification |
| align="center"|63 | 3 June 2007 | Tokyo, Japan | {{fbw|KOR}} | align="center"|6–0 | align="center"|6–1 | Football at the 2008 Summer Olympics qualification |
| align="center"|64 | 4 August 2007 | Vietnam | {{fbw|VNM}} | align="center"|7–0 | align="center"|8–0 | Football at the 2008 Summer Olympics qualification |
| align="center"|65 | 12 August 2007 | Tokyo, Japan | {{fbw|THA}} | align="center"|1–0 | align="center"|5–0 | Football at the 2008 Summer Olympics qualification |
| align="center"|66 | 18 February 2008 | Chongqing, China | {{fbw|PRK}} | align="center"|3–2 | align="center"|3–2 | 2008 EAFF Women's Football Championship |
| align="center"|67 | 5 July 2008 | Thống Nhất Stadium, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam | {{fbw|CHN}} | align="center"|1–0 | align="center"|1–3 | 2008 AFC Women's Asian Cup |
| align="center"|68 | 8 July 2008 | Thống Nhất Stadium, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam | {{fbw|AUS}} | align="center"|3–0 | align="center"|3–0 | 2008 AFC Women's Asian Cup |
| align="center"|69 | 24 July 2008 | Kobe, Japan | {{fbw|AUS}} | Unknown | align="center"|3–0 | Friendly |
| align="center"|70 | 6 August 2008 | Qinhuangdao Olympic Sports Center Stadium, Qinhuangdao, China | {{fbw|NZL}} | align="center"|2–2 | align="center"|2–2 | 2008 Summer Olympics |
| align="center"|71 | 12 August 2008 | Shanghai Stadium, Shanghai, China | {{fbw|NOR}} | align="center"|4–1 | align="center"|5–1 | 2008 Summer Olympics |
| align="center"|72 | 15 August 2008 | Qinhuangdao Olympic Sports Center Stadium, Qinhuangdao, China | {{fbw|CHN}} | align="center"|1–0 | align="center"|2–0 | 2008 Summer Olympics |
| align="center"|73 | rowspan="2"|20 May 2010 | rowspan="2"|Chengdu Sports Centre, Chengdu, China | rowspan="2"|{{fbw|MYA}} | align="center"|2–0 | rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|8–0 | rowspan="2"|2010 AFC Women's Asian Cup |
| align="center"|74 | align="center"|7–0 | |||||
| align="center"|75 | 30 May 2010 | Chengdu Sports Centre, Chengdu, China | {{fbw|CHN}} | align="center"|2–0 | align="center"|2–0 | 2010 AFC Women's Asian Cup |
| align="center"|76 | rowspan="3"|1 July 2011 | rowspan="3"|BayArena, Leverkusen, Germany | rowspan="3"|{{fbw|MEX}} | align="center"|1–0 | rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|4–0 | rowspan="3"|2011 FIFA Women's World Cup |
| align="center"|77 | align="center"|3–0 | |||||
| align="center"|78 | align="center"|4–0 | |||||
| align="center"|79 | 13 July 2011 | Commerzbank-Arena, Frankfurt, Germany | {{fbw|SWE}} | align="center"|2–1 | align="center"|3–1 | 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup |
| align="center"|80 | 17 July 2011 | Commerzbank-Arena, Frankfurt, Germany | {{fbw|USA}} | align="center"|2–2 | align="center"|2–2 (3–1 p.s.o) | 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup |
| align="center"|81 | 11 July 2012 | National Stadium, Tokyo, Japan | {{fbw|AUS}} | align="center"|3–0 | align="center"|3–0 | Friendly (Kirin Challenge Cup 2012) |
| align="center"|82 | 22 May 2014 | Thống Nhất Stadium, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam | {{fbw|CHN}} | align="center"|1–0 | align="center"|2–1 | 2014 AFC Women's Asian Cup |
| align="center"|83 | 24 May 2015 | Kagawa Marugame Stadium, Kagawa, Japan | {{fbw|NZL}} | align="center"|1–0 | align="center"|1–0 | Friendly (MS&AD Nadeshiko Cup 2015) |
=Matches and goals scored at World Cup and Olympic tournaments=
Sawa has competed in six FIFA Women's World Cups (Sweden 1995, USA 1999, USA 2003, China 2007, Germany 2011, and Canada 2015); she and Brazil's Formiga, who competed at the same Women's World Cups, are the only players of either sex to appear in six World Cup final tournaments. Sawa has also represented Japan in four Olympics: Atlanta 1996, Athens 2004, Beijing 2008 and London 2012. In all, she played 41 matches and scored 11 goals at those ten global tournaments.{{Cite web
|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/statisticsandrecords/players/player=169/index.html
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071022052447/http://fifa.com/worldfootball/statisticsandrecords/players/player=169/index.html
|url-status=dead
|archive-date=22 October 2007
|title=FIFA Player Statistics: Homare SAWA
|publisher=FIFA}} Sawa was a member of the Japanese teams that won the 2011 Women's World Cup, and were runners-up at the 2012 Summer Olympics and 2015 Women's World Cup.
{{football international goals keys|olympic world cup final=y}}
| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" style="font-size:90%;" | ||
| Goal
!Match !Date !Location !Opponent !Lineup !Min !Score !Result !Competition | ||
|---|---|---|
| colspan=10 align="center" {{fb bg world cup final tournament}}|{{flagicon|Sweden}} Sweden 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup | ||
| style="background:white;"|
|align="center"|1 |1995-06-05{{Cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensworldcup/sweden1995/matches/round=4655/match=21903/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130318122712/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensworldcup/sweden1995/matches/round=4655/match=21903/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 March 2013 |title=FIFA Women's World Cup: Sweden 1995: MATCH Report: Germany – Japan |publisher=FIFA}} |{{fbw|Germany}} |Start |style="background:white;"| |style="background:white;"| |{{sortfbs|0|1 | r}}
|{{fb bg world cup final tournament}}|Group stage | |
| style="background:white;"|
|align="center"|2 |1995-06-07{{Cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensworldcup/sweden1995/matches/round=4655/match=21905/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130318105622/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensworldcup/sweden1995/matches/round=4655/match=21905/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 March 2013 |title=FIFA Women's World Cup: Sweden 1995: MATCH Report: Brazil – Japan |publisher=FIFA}} |{{fbw|Brazil}} |Start |style="background:white;"| |style="background:white;"| |{{sortfbs|2|1 | r}}
|{{fb bg world cup final tournament}}|Group stage | |
| style="background:white;"|
|align="center"|3 |1995-06-09{{Cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensworldcup/sweden1995/matches/round=4655/match=21906/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130318125046/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensworldcup/sweden1995/matches/round=4655/match=21906/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 March 2013 |title=FIFA Women's World Cup: Sweden 1995: MATCH Report: Sweden – Japan |publisher=FIFA}} |{{fbw|Sweden}} |{{subout|76|Etsuko Handa}} |style="background:white;"| |style="background:white;"| |{{sortfbs|0|2 | r}}
|{{fb bg world cup final tournament}}|Group stage | |
| colspan=10 align="center" {{fb bg olympic tournament}}|{{flagicon|USA}} Atlanta 1996 Women's Olympic Football Tournament | ||
| style="background:white;"|
|align="center"|4 |1996-07-21{{Cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensolympic/atlanta1996/matches/round=4716/match=22085/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140226054627/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensolympic/atlanta1996/matches/round=4716/match=22085/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 February 2014 |title=Women's Olympic Football Tournament Atlanta 1996: Match Report: Germany – Japan |publisher=FIFA}} |{{fbw|Germany}} |Start |style="background:white;"| |style="background:white;"| |{{sortfbs|2|3 | r}}
|{{fb bg olympic tournament}}|Group stage | |
| style="background:white;"|
|align="center"|5 |1996-07-23{{Cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensolympic/atlanta1996/matches/round=4716/match=22087/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102011939/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensolympic/atlanta1996/matches/round=4716/match=22087/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 November 2013 |title=Women's Olympic Football Tournament Atlanta 1996: Match Report: Brazil – Japan |publisher=FIFA}} |{{fbw|Brazil}} |Start |style="background:white;"| |style="background:white;"| |{{sortfbs|0|2 | r}}
|{{fb bg olympic tournament}}|Group stage | |
| style="background:white;"|
|align="center"|6 |1996-07-25{{Cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensolympic/atlanta1996/matches/round=4716/match=22088/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101201006/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensolympic/atlanta1996/matches/round=4716/match=22088/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 November 2013 |title=Women's Olympic Football Tournament Atlanta 1996: Match Report: Norway – Japan |publisher=FIFA}} |Washington, D.C. |{{fbw|Norway}} |Start |style="background:white;"| |style="background:white;"| |{{sortfbs|0|4 | r}}
|{{fb bg olympic tournament}}|Group stage | |
| colspan=10 align="center" {{fb bg world cup final tournament}}|{{flagicon|USA}} USA 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup | ||
| style="background:white;"|
|align="center"|7 |1999-06-19{{Cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensworldcup/usa1999/matches/round=4645/match=22159/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121228182104/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensworldcup/usa1999/matches/round=4645/match=22159/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 December 2012 |title=FIFA Women's World Cup: USA 1999: MATCH Report: Japan – Canada |publisher=FIFA}} |{{fbw|Canada}} |Start |style="background:white;"| |style="background:white;"| |{{sortfbs|1|1 | r}}
|{{fb bg world cup final tournament}}|Group stage | |
| style="background:white;"|
|align="center"|8 |1999-06-23{{Cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensworldcup/usa1999/matches/round=4645/match=22163/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121228181039/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensworldcup/usa1999/matches/round=4645/match=22163/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 December 2012 |title=FIFA Women's World Cup: USA 1999: MATCH Report: Japan – Russia |publisher=FIFA}} |{{fbw|Russia}} |Start |style="background:white;"| |style="background:white;"| |{{sortfbs|0|5 | r}}
|{{fb bg world cup final tournament}}|Group stage | |
| style="background:white;"|
|align="center"|9 |1999-06-26{{Cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensworldcup/usa1999/matches/round=4645/match=22162/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121228180638/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensworldcup/usa1999/matches/round=4645/match=22162/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 December 2012 |title=FIFA Women's World Cup: USA 1999: MATCH Report: Norway – Japan |publisher=FIFA}} |Chicago |{{fbw|Norway}} |Start |style="background:white;"| |style="background:white;"| |{{sortfbs|0|4 | r}}
|{{fb bg world cup final tournament}}|Group stage | |
| colspan=10 align="center" {{fb bg world cup final tournament}}|{{flagicon|USA}} USA 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup | ||
| align="center"|1
|rowspan=2 align="center"|10 |rowspan=2|2003-09-20{{Cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensworldcup/usa2003/matches/round=69290100/match=69290004/index.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140624221851/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensworldcup/usa2003/matches/round=69290100/match=69290004/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 June 2014 |title=FIFA Women's World Cup: USA 2003: MATCH Report: Japan – Argentina |publisher=FIFA}} |rowspan=2|Columbus, OH |rowspan=2|{{fbw|Argentina}} |rowspan=2|{{subout|80|Karina|Maruyama}} |13 |1–0 |rowspan=2|{{sortfbs|6|0 | r}}
|rowspan=2 {{fb bg world cup final tournament}}|Group stage | |
| align="center"|2
|39 |2–0 | ||
| style="background:white;"|
|align="center"|11 |2003-09-24{{Cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensworldcup/usa2003/matches/round=69290100/match=69290011/index.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140624221846/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensworldcup/usa2003/matches/round=69290100/match=69290011/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 June 2014 |title=FIFA Women's World Cup: USA 2003: MATCH Report: Germany – Japan |publisher=FIFA}} |{{fbw|Germany}} |Start |style="background:white;"| |style="background:white;"| |{{sortfbs|0|3 | r}}
|{{fb bg world cup final tournament}}|Group stage | |
| align="center"|3
|align="center"|12 |2003-09-27{{Cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensworldcup/usa2003/matches/round=69290100/match=69290018/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131007040824/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensworldcup/usa2003/matches/round=69290100/match=69290018/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 October 2013 |title=FIFA Women's World Cup: USA 2003: MATCH Report: Canada – Japan |publisher=FIFA}} |{{fbw|Canada}} |Start |20 |1–0 |{{sortfbs|1|3 | r}}
|{{fb bg world cup final tournament}}|Group stage | |
| colspan=10 align="center" {{fb bg olympic tournament}}|{{flagicon|Greece}} Athens 2004 Women's Olympic Football Tournament | ||
| style="background:white;"|
|align="center"|13 |2004-08-11{{Cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensolympic/athens2004/matches/round=8681/match=37164/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130318124109/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensolympic/athens2004/matches/round=8681/match=37164/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 March 2013 |title=Women's Olympic Football Tournament Athens 2004: Match Report: Sweden – Japan |publisher=FIFA}} |{{fbw|Sweden}} |Start |style="background:white;"| |style="background:white;"| |{{sortfbs|1|0 | r}}
|{{fb bg olympic tournament}}|Group stage | |
| style="background:white;"|
|align="center"|14 |2004-08-14{{Cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensolympic/athens2004/matches/round=8681/match=37165/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130318102513/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensolympic/athens2004/matches/round=8681/match=37165/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 March 2013 |title=Women's Olympic Football Tournament Athens 2004: Match Report: Japan – Nigeria |publisher=FIFA}} |{{fbw|Nigeria}} |Start |style="background:white;"| |style="background:white;"| |{{sortfbs|0|1 | r}}
|{{fb bg olympic tournament}}|Group stage | |
| style="background:white;"|
|align="center"|15 |2004-08-20{{Cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensolympic/athens2004/matches/round=8686/match=37178/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130318115150/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensolympic/athens2004/matches/round=8686/match=37178/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 March 2013 |title=Women's Olympic Football Tournament Athens 2004: Match Report: USA – Japan |publisher=FIFA}} |{{fbw|USA}} |Start |style="background:white;"| |style="background:white;"| |{{sortfbs|1|2 | r}}
|{{fb bg olympic tournament}}|Quarter-final | |
| colspan=10 align="center" {{fb bg world cup final tournament}}|{{flagicon|China}} China 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup | ||
| style="background:white;"|
|align="center"|16 |2007-09-11{{Cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensworldcup/china2007/matches/round=248549/match=56312/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130318130404/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensworldcup/china2007/matches/round=248549/match=56312/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 March 2013 |title=FIFA Women's World Cup: China PR 2007: MATCH Report: Japan – England |publisher=FIFA}} |Shanghai |{{fbw|England}} |Start |style="background:white;"| |style="background:white;"| |{{sortfbs|2|2 | r}}
|{{fb bg world cup final tournament}}|Group stage | |
| style="background:white;"|
|align="center"|17 |2007-09-14{{Cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensworldcup/china2007/matches/round=248549/match=56311/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130318115905/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensworldcup/china2007/matches/round=248549/match=56311/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 March 2013 |title=FIFA Women's World Cup: China PR 2007: MATCH Report: Argentina – Japan |publisher=FIFA}} |Shanghai |{{fbw|Argentina}} |Start |style="background:white;"| |style="background:white;"| |{{sortfbs|1|0 | r}}
|{{fb bg world cup final tournament}}|Group stage | |
| style="background:white;"|
|align="center"|18 |2007-09-17{{Cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensworldcup/china2007/matches/round=248549/match=56309/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130318125036/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensworldcup/china2007/matches/round=248549/match=56309/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 March 2013 |title=FIFA Women's World Cup: China PR 2007: MATCH Report: Germany – Japan |publisher=FIFA}} |{{fbw|Germany}} |Start |style="background:white;"| |style="background:white;"| |{{sortfbs|0|2 | r}}
|{{fb bg world cup final tournament}}|Group stage | |
| colspan=10 align="center" {{fb bg olympic tournament}}|{{flagicon|China}} Beijing 2008 Women's Olympic Football Tournament | ||
| align="center"|4
|align="center"|19 |2008-08-06{{Cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensolympic/beijing2008/matches/round=250027/match=300051833/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130402040728/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensolympic/beijing2008/matches/round=250027/match=300051833/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 April 2013 |title=Women's Olympic Football Tournament Beijing 2008: Match Report: Japan – New Zealand |publisher=FIFA}} |{{fbw|New Zealand}} |Start; (c) |86 |2–2 |{{sortfbs|2|2 | r}}
|{{fb bg olympic tournament}}|Group stage | |
| style="background:white;"|
|{{center|20}} |2008-08-09{{Cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensolympic/beijing2008/matches/round=250027/match=300051831/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130402040914/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensolympic/beijing2008/matches/round=250027/match=300051831/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 April 2013 |title=Women's Olympic Football Tournament Beijing 2008: Match Report: USA – Japan |publisher=FIFA}} |{{fbw|USA}} |Start |style="background:white;"| |style="background:white;"| |{{sortfbs|0|1 | r}}
|{{fb bg olympic tournament}}|Group stage | |
| align="center"|5
|align="center"|21 |2008-08-12{{Cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensolympic/beijing2008/matches/round=250027/match=300051829/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130402040742/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensolympic/beijing2008/matches/round=250027/match=300051829/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 April 2013 |title=Women's Olympic Football Tournament Beijing 2008: Match Report: Norway – Japan |publisher=FIFA}} |Shanghai |{{fbw|Norway}} |Start |70 |4–1 |{{sortfbs|5|1 | r}}
|{{fb bg olympic tournament}}|Group stage | |
| align="center"|6
|align="center"|22 |2008-08-15{{Cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensolympic/beijing2008/matches/round=250032/match=300051834/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130402040714/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensolympic/beijing2008/matches/round=250032/match=300051834/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 April 2013 |title=Women's Olympic Football Tournament Beijing 2008: Match Report: China PR – Japan |publisher=FIFA}} |{{fbw|China PR}} |Start |15 |1–0 |{{sortfbs|2|0 | r}}
|{{fb bg olympic tournament}}|Quarter-final | |
| style="background:white;"|
|align="center"|23 |2008-08-18{{Cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensolympic/beijing2008/matches/round=250033/match=300051840/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130402040856/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensolympic/beijing2008/matches/round=250033/match=300051840/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 April 2013 |title=Women's Olympic Football Tournament Beijing 2008: Match Report: Japan – USA |publisher=FIFA}} |Beijing |{{fbw|USA}} |Start |style="background:white;"| |style="background:white;"| |{{sortfbs|2|4 | r}}
|{{fb bg olympic tournament}}|Semifinal | |
| style="background:white;"|
|align="center"|24 |2008-08-21{{Cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensolympic/beijing2008/matches/round=250034/match=300051839/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130402040816/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensolympic/beijing2008/matches/round=250034/match=300051839/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 April 2013 |title=Women's Olympic Football Tournament Beijing 2008: Match Report: Germany – Japan |publisher=FIFA}} |Beijing |{{fbw|Germany}} |Start |style="background:white;"| |style="background:white;"| |{{sortfbs|0|2 | r}}
|{{fb bg olympic tournament}}|Bronze medal match | |
| colspan=10 align="center" {{fb bg world cup final tournament}}|{{flagicon|Germany}} Germany 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup | ||
| style="background:white;"|
|align="center"|25 |2011-06-27{{Cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensworldcup/germany2011/matches/round=255997/match=300144442/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130401023809/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensworldcup/germany2011/matches/round=255997/match=300144442/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 April 2013 |title=FIFA Women's World Cup: Germany 2011: MATCH Report: Japan – New Zealand |publisher=FIFA}} |{{fbw|New Zealand}} |Start; (c) |style="background:white;"| |style="background:white;"| |{{sortfbs|2|1 | r}}
|{{fb bg world cup final tournament}}|Group stage | |
| align="center"|7
|rowspan=3 align="center"|26 |rowspan=3|2011-07-01{{Cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensworldcup/germany2011/matches/round=255997/match=300144426/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130401023043/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensworldcup/germany2011/matches/round=255997/match=300144426/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 April 2013 |title=FIFA Women's World Cup: Germany 2011: MATCH Report: Japan – Mexico |publisher=FIFA}} |rowspan=3|Leverkusen |rowspan=3|{{fbw|Mexico}} |rowspan=3|{{subout|83|Rumi|Utsugi}}; (c) |13 |1–0 |rowspan=3|{{sortfbs|4|0 | r}}
|rowspan=3 {{fb bg world cup final tournament}}|Group stage | |
| align="center"|8
|39 |3–0 | ||
| align="center"|9
|80 |4–0 | ||
| style="background:white;"|
|align="center"|27 |2011-07-05{{Cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensworldcup/germany2011/matches/round=255997/match=300144438/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130401023039/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensworldcup/germany2011/matches/round=255997/match=300144438/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 April 2013 |title=FIFA Women's World Cup: Germany 2011: MATCH Report: England – Japan |publisher=FIFA}} |{{fbw|England}} |Start; (c) |style="background:white;"| |style="background:white;"| |{{sortfbs|0|2 | r}}
|{{fb bg world cup final tournament}}|Group stage | |
| style="background:white;"|
|align="center"|28 |2011-07-09{{Cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensworldcup/germany2011/matches/round=255995/match=300144431/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130401023031/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensworldcup/germany2011/matches/round=255995/match=300144431/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 April 2013 |title=FIFA Women's World Cup: Germany 2011: MATCH Report: Germany – Japan |publisher=FIFA}} |{{fbw|Germany}} |Start; (c) |style="background:white;"| |style="background:white;"| |{{sortfbs|1|0 | a | r}}
|{{fb bg world cup final tournament}}|Quarter-final |
| align="center"|10
|align="center"|29 |2011-07-13{{Cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensworldcup/germany2011/matches/round=255993/match=300144455/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130401021726/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensworldcup/germany2011/matches/round=255993/match=300144455/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 April 2013 |title=FIFA Women's World Cup: Germany 2011: MATCH Report: Japan – Sweden |publisher=FIFA}} |{{fbw|Sweden}} |Start; (c) |60 |2–1 |{{sortfbs|3|1 | r}}
|{{fb bg world cup final tournament}}|Semifinal | |
| align="center"|11
|align="center"|30 |2011-07-17{{Cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensworldcup/germany2011/matches/round=255989/match=300144437/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130119080917/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensworldcup/germany2011/matches/round=255989/match=300144437/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 January 2013 |title=FIFA Women's World Cup: Germany 2011: MATCH Report: Japan – USA |publisher=FIFA}} |{{fbw|USA}} |Start; (c) |117 |2–2 |{{sortfbs|2|2|3|1 | r}}
|{{fb bg world cup final tournament}}|Final | |
| colspan=10 align="center" {{fb bg olympic tournament}}|{{flagicon|GBR}} London 2012 Women's Olympic Football Tournament | ||
| style="background:white;"|
|align="center"|31 |2012-07-25{{Cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensworldcup/germany2011/matches/round=255989/match=300144437/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130119080917/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensworldcup/germany2011/matches/round=255989/match=300144437/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 January 2013 |title=Women's Olympic Football Tournament London 2012: Match Report: Japan – Canada |publisher=FIFA}} |{{fbw|Canada}} |Start |style="background:white;"| |style="background:white;"| |{{sortfbs|2|1 | r}}
|{{fb bg olympic tournament}}|Group stage | |
| style="background:white;"|
|align="center"|32 |2012-07-28{{Cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/womensolympic/matches/round=256031/match=300197642/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120730224445/http://www.fifa.com/womensolympic/matches/round=256031/match=300197642/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 July 2012 |title=Women's Olympic Football Tournament London 2012: Match Report: Japan – Sweden |publisher=FIFA}} |{{fbw|Sweden}} |{{subout|59|Asuna|Tanaka}} |style="background:white;"| |style="background:white;"| |{{sortfbs|0|0 | r}}
|{{fb bg olympic tournament}}|Group stage | |
| style="background:white;"|
|align="center"|33 |2012-08-03{{Cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/womensolympic/matches/round=256041/match=300197656/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120806044117/http://www.fifa.com/womensolympic/matches/round=256041/match=300197656/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 August 2012 |title=Women's Olympic Football Tournament London 2012: Match Report: Brazil – Japan |publisher=FIFA}} |{{fbw|Brazil}} |Start |style="background:white;"| |style="background:white;"| |{{sortfbs|2|0 | r}}
|{{fb bg olympic tournament}}|Quarter-final | |
| style="background:white;"|
|align="center"|34 |2012-08-06{{Cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/womensolympic/matches/round=256043/match=300197652/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120808032748/http://www.fifa.com/womensolympic/matches/round=256043/match=300197652/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 August 2012 |title=Women's Olympic Football Tournament London 2012: Match Report: France – Japan |publisher=FIFA}} |London |{{fbw|France}} |Start |style="background:white;"| |style="background:white;"| |{{sortfbs|2|1 | r}}
|{{fb bg olympic tournament}}|Semifinal | |
| style="background:white;"|
|align="center"|35 |2012-08-09{{Cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/womensolympic/matches/round=256047/match=300197657/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120810153253/http://www.fifa.com/womensolympic/matches/round=256047/match=300197657/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 August 2012 |title=Women's Olympic Football Tournament London 2012: Match Report: USA – Japan |publisher=FIFA}} |London |{{fbw|USA}} |Start |style="background:white;"| |style="background:white;"| |{{sortfbs|1|2 | r}}
|{{fb bg olympic tournament}}|Gold medal match | |
| colspan=10 align="center" {{fb bg world cup final tournament}}|{{flagicon|Canada}} Canada 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup | ||
| style="background:white;"|
|align="center"|36 |2015-06-08{{Cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/matches/round=268020/match=300269509/report.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150611203139/http://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/matches/round=268020/match=300269509/report.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 June 2015 |title=FIFA Women's World Cup: Canada 2015: MATCH Report: Japan – Switzerland |publisher=FIFA}} |{{fbw|Switzerland}} |{{subout|57|Yuri|Kawamura}} |style="background:white;"| |style="background:white;"| |{{sortfbs|1|0 | r}}
|{{fb bg world cup final tournament}}|Group stage | |
| style="background:white;"|
|align="center"|37 |2015-06-12{{Cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/matches/round=268020/match=300269476/report.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150614224543/http://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/matches/round=268020/match=300269476/report.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 June 2015 |title=FIFA Women's World Cup: Canada 2015: MATCH Report: Japan – Cameroon |publisher=FIFA}} |{{fbw|Cameroon}} |{{subin|64|Mizuho|Sakaguchi}} |style="background:white;"| |style="background:white;"| |{{sortfbs|2|1 | r}}
|{{fb bg world cup final tournament}}|Group stage | |
| style="background:white;"|
|align="center"|38 |2015-06-16{{Cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/matches/round=268020/match=300269507/report.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150617040522/http://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/matches/round=268020/match=300269507/report.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 June 2015 |title=FIFA Women's World Cup: Canada 2015: MATCH Report: Ecuador – Japan |publisher=FIFA}} |{{fbw|Ecuador}} |Start |style="background:white;"| |style="background:white;"| |{{sortfbs|2|1 | r}}
|{{fb bg world cup final tournament}}|Group stage | |
| style="background:white;"|
|align="center"|39 |2015-06-16{{Cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/matches/round=268032/match=300269485/report.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150618091843/http://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/matches/round=268032/match=300269485/report.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 June 2015 |title=FIFA Women's World Cup: Canada 2015: MATCH Report: Japan – Netherlands |publisher=FIFA}} |{{fbw|Netherlands}} |{{subin|80|Nahomi|Kawasumi}} |style="background:white;"| |style="background:white;"| |{{sortfbs|1|0 | r}}
|{{fb bg world cup final tournament}}|Round of 16 | |
| style="background:white;"|
|align="center"|40 |2015-06-27{{Cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/matches/round=268018/match=300269496/report.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150624113640/http://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/matches/round=268018/match=300269496/report.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 June 2015 |title=FIFA Women's World Cup: Canada 2015: MATCH Report: Australia – Japan |publisher=FIFA}} |{{fbw|Australia}} |{{subin|90|Mizuho|Sakaguchi}} |style="background:white;"| |style="background:white;"| |{{sortfbs|2|1 | r}}
|{{fb bg world cup final tournament}}|Quarter-final | |
| style="background:white;"|
|align="center"|41 |2015-07-05{{Cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/matches/round=268012/match=300269506/report.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702160733/http://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/matches/round=268012/match=300269506/report.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 July 2015 |title=FIFA Women's World Cup: Canada 2015: MATCH Report: USA – Japan |publisher=FIFA}} |{{fbw|USA}} |{{subin|33|Azusa|Iwashimizu}} |style="background:white;"| |style="background:white;"| |{{sortfbs|2|5 | r}}
|{{fb bg world cup final tournament}}|Final |
Honors
Yomiuri/Nippon TV Beleza
- Nadeshiko.League (8): 1991, 1992, 1993, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010
- Empress's Cup All-Japan Women's Football Tournament (7): 1993, 1997, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009
- Nadeshiko League Cup: 2007
INAC Kobe Leonessa
- Nadeshiko.League: 2011, 2012, 2013
- Empress's Cup All-Japan Women's Football Tournament: 2011
- International Women's Club Championship: 2013
- Nadeshiko League Cup: 2013
Japan
- East Asian Football Championship: 2008, 2010
- Asian Games Gold Medal: 2010
- FIFA Women's World Cup: 2011
- Olympic Silver Medal: 2012
- AFC Women's Asian Cup: 2014
Individual
- Nadeshiko League Best Eleven (11): 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2012
- AFC Women's Player of the Year: 2004, 2008
- Nadeshiko League MVP: 2006, 2008
- EAFF Women's Football Championship Best Player: 2008, 2010
- FIFA Women's World Cup Golden Ball: 2011
- FIFA Women's World Cup Golden Shoe: 2011
- FIFA Women's World Cup All-Star Team: 2011
- FIFA World Player of the Year: 2011
- Asian Football Hall of Fame: 2014
- IFFHS AFC Best Woman Player of the Decade 2011–2020{{cite web |url=https://www.iffhs.com/index.php/posts/942 |title=IFFHS BEST WOMAN PLAYER - AFC - OF THE DECADE 2011-2020 |work=IFFHS |date=3 February 2021 }}
- IFFHS AFC Woman Team of the Decade 2011–2020{{cite web |url=https://www.iffhs.com/index.php/posts/929 |title=IFFHS WOMAN TEAM - AFC - OF THE DECADE 2011-2020 |work=IFFHS |date=30 January 2021 }}
Personal life
Sawa attended Teikyo University in 1999 until her club team, Nippon TV Beleza, ended her club contract, forcing her to drop out to go play club football in the United States.
On 11 August 2015, Sawa announced her marriage without naming her husband. The next day, when asked, she said that her husband was former Vegalta Sendai player Hiroaki Tsujikami.{{cite news |title=Sawa breaks silence about husband |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2015/08/12/soccer/sawa-breaks-silence-husband/ |access-date=11 November 2018 |work=The Japan Times |agency=Kyodo}} On 10 January 2017, it was announced that she had given birth to a baby girl.{{cite news |title=Ex-Nadeshiko star Sawa gives birth to girl |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2017/01/10/soccer/ex-nadeshiko-star-sawa-gives-birth-girl/ |access-date=11 November 2018 |work=The Japan Times |agency=Kyodo}}
In 2013, Sawa was made an ambassador for Japan's bid for the 2020 Olympics, which was later chosen to be hosted in Tokyo.{{cite web |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2013/01/07/olympics/summer-olympics/tokyo-2020-officials-head-to-europe/ |title=Tokyo 2020 officials head to Europe |website=japantimes.co.jp |publisher=The Japan Times |date=7 January 2013 |access-date=23 October 2021}}{{cite web |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/01/09/national/inose-pitches-tokyo-20-games-bid/ |title=Inose pitches Tokyo '20 Games bid |website=japantimes.co.jp |publisher=The Japan Times |date=9 January 2013 |access-date=23 October 2021}} In 2021, she pulled out of the 2020 Summer Olympics torch relay due to a chronic inner-ear condition.{{cite web |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2021/03/24/olympics/summer-olympics/nadeshiko-japan-hero-homare-sawa-miss-tokyo-olympic-torch-relay/ |title=Nadeshiko Japan hero Homare Sawa to miss Tokyo Olympic torch relay |website=japantimes.co.jp |publisher=The Japan Times |date=24 March 2021 |access-date=22 October 2021}}
She also works as a TV host and commentator in TV Tokyo as well as being an ambassador of the Japan Football Association.
See also
Notes
References
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}
;Match reports
{{reflist|group=m|colwidth=35em}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{FIFA player|169}}
- {{Soccerway}}
- {{WorldFootball.net}}
- {{Olympedia|26160}}
- {{Olympics.com|homare-sawa}}
- [http://www.jfa.jp/eng/nadeshikojapan/member/sawa_homare.html JFA players' Information]
- {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070824032225/http://www.fifa.com/womenworldcup/playertowatch/newsid%3D123884.html |title=FIFA 2007 Women's World Cup bio page |date=dmy}}
- {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130502014639/http://www.london2012.com/athlete/sawa-homare-1019517/ |title=2012 London Olympics player profile |date=dmy}}
- {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090303043357/http://www.womensprosoccer.com/newsitem_ektid5106.aspx |title=WPS Press Release |date=dmy}}
{{Navboxes
|title= Awards
|bg= gold
|fg= navy
|list1=
{{FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year winners}}
{{Asian Women's Footballer of the Year}}
{{Asian Football Hall of Fame}}
{{FIFA Women's World Cup Golden Ball}}
{{FIFA Women's World Cup Golden Shoe}}
{{FIFA Women's World Cup Winning Captain}}
{{Japanese Footballer of the Year}}
{{AFC Women's Asian Cup top scorers}}
{{Nadeshiko League MVP}}
}}
{{Navboxes
|title= Japan squads
|bg= #0202FF
|fg= #FFFFFF
|list1=
{{Japan squad 1993 AFC Women's Championship}}
{{Japan squad 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup}}
{{Japan squad 1995 AFC Women's Championship}}
{{Japan women's football squad 1996 Summer Olympics}}
{{Japan squad 1997 AFC Women's Championship}}
{{Japan squad 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup}}
{{Japan squad 2001 AFC Women's Championship}}
{{Japan squad 2003 AFC Women's Championship}}
{{Japan squad 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup}}
{{Japan women's football squad 2004 Summer Olympics}}
{{Japan squad 2006 AFC Women's Asian Cup}}
{{Japan squad 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup}}
{{Japan squad 2008 AFC Women's Asian Cup}}
{{Japan women's football squad 2008 Summer Olympics}}
{{Japan squad 2010 AFC Women's Asian Cup}}
{{Japan squad 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup}}
{{Japan women's football squad 2012 Summer Olympics}}
{{Japan squad 2014 AFC Women's Asian Cup}}
{{Japan squad 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup}}
}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sawa, Homare}}
Category:1995 FIFA Women's World Cup players
Category:1999 FIFA Women's World Cup players
Category:2003 FIFA Women's World Cup players
Category:2007 FIFA Women's World Cup players
Category:2011 FIFA Women's World Cup players
Category:2015 FIFA Women's World Cup players
Category:Asian Games gold medalists for Japan
Category:Asian Games silver medalists for Japan
Category:Asian Games bronze medalists for Japan
Category:Asian Games medalists in football
Category:Association football people from Tokyo Metropolis
Category:Atlanta Beat (WUSA) players
Category:Denver Diamonds players
Category:Expatriate women's soccer players in the United States
Category:FIFA Women's Century Club
Category:FIFA Women's World Cup–winning players
Category:FIFA World Player of the Year winners
Category:Footballers at the 1994 Asian Games
Category:Footballers at the 1996 Summer Olympics
Category:Footballers at the 1998 Asian Games
Category:Footballers at the 2002 Asian Games
Category:Footballers at the 2004 Summer Olympics
Category:Footballers at the 2006 Asian Games
Category:Footballers at the 2008 Summer Olympics
Category:Footballers at the 2010 Asian Games
Category:Footballers at the 2012 Summer Olympics
Category:INAC Kobe Leonessa players
Category:Japanese expatriate sportspeople in the United States
Category:Japanese women's footballers
Category:Japan women's international footballers
Category:Medalists at the 1994 Asian Games
Category:Medalists at the 1998 Asian Games
Category:Medalists at the 2002 Asian Games
Category:Medalists at the 2006 Asian Games
Category:Medalists at the 2010 Asian Games
Category:Medalists at the 2012 Summer Olympics
Category:Nadeshiko League players
Category:Nippon TV Tokyo Verdy Beleza players
Category:Olympic footballers for Japan
Category:Olympic medalists in football
Category:Olympic silver medalists for Japan
Category:People from Fuchū, Tokyo
Category:USL W-League (1995–2015) players
Category:Washington Freedom (soccer) players
Category:Women's association football midfielders
Category:Women's Professional Soccer players