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| AFC Women’s Asian Cup |
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| Sawa scoops MVP award |
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| Japan midfielder Homare Sawa was named the MVP of the 2008 AFC Women's Asian Cup. |
HO CHI MINH CITY – Japan midfielder Homare Sawa was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2008 AFC Women’s Asian Cup after the 29-year-old helped her side to a third place finish.
Sawa, considered the best female player in Japan, played an invaluable role in her side’s Asian Cup campaign, pulling the strings in the middle of the park whilst contributing with two goals including the third in the 3-0 win over Australia on Sunday.
Japan also claimed the Fair Play award for their sportsmanship throughout the tournament.
DPR Korea secured their third Asian Cup title after defeating China 2-1 in the final and Sawa admitted her award came as something as a surprise to her.
“I am very honoured and proud to win this award,” she said.
“I am a bit surprised though as we finished third in the competition but I believe it is likely due to my attacking and defensive contribution to the team.
“Even though we finished third it has been a good preparation for our side for the Olympics in August.
“We will look to continue battling and getting good results in the future.”
Sawa has had a long and distinguished career for Japan and made her international debut at just 15 years of age in 1993.
It proved a memorable debut for the teenager as she scored four goals in a victory over the Philippines.
Sawa’s scintillating performances at the 1995 FIFA Women’s World Cup ensured she hit the international headlines and she impressed again a year later at the Olympic Women’s Football Tournament in Atlanta.
The diminutive midfielder moved to the United States in 1999 and played for the Colorado Rush before joining Atlanta Beat in the now defunct Women’s United Soccer Association.
In 2004 she was named AFC Women’s Player of the Year before becoming Japan’s leading goal scorer a year later and Sawa is likely to continue playing a key role for her country for many years to come.
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