Japan's Women's World Cup-winning soccer team made a triumphant return on Tuesday, with captain and tournament MVP Homare Sawa shrugging off suggestions she may retire in order to target gold at next year's London Olympics.
"Nadeshiko" Japan beat the heavily favored U.S. 3-1 on penalty kicks in Sunday's final after a 2-2 draw in regulation time, delivering the nation its first world title and offering a note of optimism just four months after the Great East Japan Earthquake.
Rumors were rife that Sawa, the tournament's top scorer with five goals, would call it quits after having finally lifted the trophy at her fifth World Cup, but the 32-year-old insists the team's achievement in Germany has left her hungry for more.