Japan's women can be proud of their success

For me, having seen Japan in their World Cup and Olympic matches, the ultimate irony was that this was the best game I ever saw them play.

They often have an air of winning by luck, grabbing a chance here or there and defending for long stretches. Yesterday, they were magnificent, with just about every pass being dangerous and having the Americans on their heels for vast stretches.

With their dismantling of Brazil and another run to a final, they certainly proved to be one of the great teams in the womens game since 1991, probably overtaking Sun Wen's China teams.

Good on ya, Jason, I agree this was the best I've seen Japan play. You're also correct in saying they have an air of winning by luck. I thought last year's win over America made them the single least-deserving winner in any major tourney. The US so much deserved to win that game last year.

I don't agree Japan is one of the all-time great women's teams, unless you put the U.S. women substantially higher than this Japan team - both the Mia Hamm decade, and the current Abby Wambach decade.

I'd definitely say top 5, and creeping up on Norway's run.

1) USA Hamm
2) Germany 2003-2010
3) Norway 1995-2000
4) USA Wambach
5) Japan 2011-2012
6) China Sun Wen
7) Brazil Marta
8) Sweden 1991-1999
9) France 2010-2012
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