The winners of the 2011 World Cup are back and stronger than ever, says Japan head coach Norio Sasaki:

“The players gained some excellent experience during the 2011 World Cup and the 2012 London Olympics, and I believe that individually they have really developed over the past four years,” Sasaki said. “I think I have a better team now than I did in 2011. But the truth is that many other international teams have also greatly improved the level of their football.”

“Furthermore, in 2011, our team aimed to win the World Cup, but since we triumphed in that tournament, the whole of Japan is watching us and there is a feeling of expectation that we should win this time. With this extra motivation, this tournament will be a major opportunity for further growth of the team at the top level.”

The pressure to win is something that is new to Japan, according to EquilizerSoccer.com, who have failed to make it past the group stage in four of the past 5 World Cups. And it is pressure that the team might have to face without the greatest player in its history: Homare Sawa. However, the possibility of Sawa’s absence has been dealt with as a non-issue.

“I feel that there are several players who could become the new Sawa and become players who step up at important moments in a game,” said Sasaki of the issue.

Japan memorably upset the United States Women’s National Team in the World Cup Final in 2011, and is currently ranked 4th in the world.

The 2015 Women’s World Cup in Canada kicks off on June 6th.