There was never any doubt that Homare Sawa would be named Women's World Player of the Year on Monday, but the significance of the award to the Japanese game still cannot be overstated.
Sawa ended the five-year reign of Brazil's Marta and also saw off the challenge of U.S. striker Abby Wambach to claim the prize at FIFA's Ballon d'Or ceremony in Zurich, becoming the first Japanese player ever to be officially recognized as the world's best in either men's or women's categories. National team manager Norio Sasaki was also named Women's Coach of the Year and the Japan Football Association won the Fair Play Award, but on a night when Japanese soccer commanded the world's attention, it was Sawa's star that shone brightest.
After the year she has just had, few would argue with the judges' decision. Sawa won both the Golden Ball for best player and Golden Boot for top scorer as she led Japan to a historic triumph at the Women's World Cup in Germany, playing the captain's role to perfection with a crucial late equalizer in the final to set up a penalty shootout win over the U.S.
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