Japan women aim to bloom again at World Cup

Holders Japan set their sights firmly on retaining their Women's World Cup after being handed a dream draw for the 2015 tournament in Canada.
Japan's 'Nadeshiko' -- named after a frilly pink carnation -- will be expected to brush aside Switzerland, Cameroon and Ecuador in Group C games their coach, Norio Sasaki, said would serve as useful practice as they look to blossom at the business end of the competition, which begins on June 6.
"If you see the teams on paper, yes they do look like easy opponents," Sasaki told local media after Saturday's draw, which pitted the Japanese against three first-time qualifiers.
"But we certainly won't be disrespecting any side. It will be important to finish top of the group in style and for everyone to be focused on going on to win the title again."
Japan famously stunned the United States in a penalty shootout in 2011 to become the first Asian world title winners at any level, embodying the iron-willed spirit of a nation battling to recover from a deadly tsunami and resulting nuclear crisis earlier that year.
Sasaki's side added the Asian Cup earlier this year, having been pipped to the gold by the Americans at the 2012 London Olympics, and will be strong contenders again, especially after their fierce rivals were drawn alongside Australia, Nigeria and European powerhouse Sweden in a tough Group D.
"We can't wait to play the number one team in the world in the first game," Australia coach Alen Stajcic said of his side's crunch game against twice champions the United States in Winnipeg on June 8.
- 'Sharp focus' -
"You come to a World Cup and expect to play the best teams and we certainly got that in our group.
"All four teams are of a similar quality. It definitely gives us a sharp focus now heading into the World Cup and the players know now it's no holds barred playing possibly the toughest teams in each pot."
South Korea will be making their first appearance in the Women's World Cup since 2003 and face a Brazil side spearheaded by five-time women's world player of the year Marta in a daunting Group E opener.
But coach Yoon Duk-Yeo insisted the Koreans could reach the knockout phase despite also being drawn against fast-improving Spain and Costa Rica.
"We will do everything we can to achieve our goal of making it to the last 16," Yoon told Yonhap news agency.
"Costa Rica and Spain are competing at the World Cup for the first time but we won't let our guard down. I trust in the ability of our players."
New Zealand coach Tony Readings backed the 19th-ranked Football Ferns to cause a shock after being drawn in Group A alongside hosts Canada, China and the Netherlands.
"We're the lowest ranked team in our group against three teams that we know pretty well," he said.
"There was never going to be an easy game at the World Cup. But they are three games we're going to be looking to win because we've got ambitions to go all the way in this tournament."
Source: AFP