Frilly pink flower powers disaster-hit Japan

Named after a frilly pink flower, Japan's World Cup-winning women's soccer team embodied the iron-willed spirit of a nation united in its battle to recover from disaster.

Named after a frilly pink flower, Japan's World Cup-winning women's soccer team embodied the iron-willed spirit of a nation united in its battle to recover from disaster.

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When Saki Kumagai smashed the ball high into the net to complete a nail-biting penalty shootout victory over the United States in Frankfurt, bars and clubs across Tokyo exploded with cheers as fans celebrated a first world title for an Asian side. "They just demonstrated Japan's tenacity," 41-year-old soccer fan Kazuhiro Teramoto told Reuters with the sun already peeping over the rooftops on a holiday Monday.

"Fighting back again and again. They were fantastic."

Japan's 'Nadeshiko' — named after a delicate pink carnation — twice came from behind against the more powerful Americans to take the final to penalties.

"My girls played their hearts out," Japan coach Norio Sasaki told Japanese morning television, fighting back tears.

"We could really feel the power from everyone in Japan watching on TV. I'm stunned." Japan's astonishing run in Germany has given the country a real lift after the devastating earthquake and tsunami which struck the north-east on March 11.

Amid fears of radiation after the giant tsunami wave triggered a nuclear meltdown at a power plant 150 miles north of Tokyo, and with thousands still living in shelters, Japan's victory was as emotional as it was unexpected.