Japan, a soccer girl at the Tokyo Olympics, lost to Sweden 1 to 3 in the quarterfinals on the 30th, and did not win a medal for the first time in two tournaments.

Mana Iwabuchi, the ace of "Nadeshiko Japan", carried a lot of things on her back and went to this tournament.

"Glory" and "Deep Bottom"

Iwabuchi, who is also a member of the 2011 World Cup Germany championship.


Turning around, the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics missed out.



"I wonder what will happen to women's soccer. Next time (Tokyo Olympics) I strongly thought that I should do my



best.

"

For the past five years, I have been running toward the Tokyo Games with a sense of crisis more than anyone else. ..

As an ace, as number 10

I was willing to take responsibility for pulling the team as an ace.


Recognized for that determination, Director Asako Takakura entrusted me with a uniform number of 10 for this tournament.


This is the uniform number assigned by players who have been leading "Nadeshiko Japan" such as Homare Sawa and Aya Miyama.

Iwabuchi:


"I'm glad that I want to carry it somewhere for many years, so I'm honestly happy. I feel that I really have to win the team, and I feel more prepared and responsible than ever before. "



while talking with a smile also, on its face was Ukagaemasu strong feelings to the Tokyo tournament.

Anxiety of the right knee

On the other hand, the condition of the right knee has been annoying as a player.


Dribbling, which has undergone two surgeries and is said to be the "best in the world," sometimes puts too much strain on his knees and he can't keep up with the movements he imagines.



Despite my anxiety, I continued to take on unprecedented challenges, such as learning how to practice without burdening trainers for the Tokyo Olympics, and never neglected to prepare.

“I did what I could do”

However, the actual tournament continued to struggle.


After 2 games in the qualifying league, 1 loss and 1 draw.


The third round against Chile on the 27th, which was driven into a cliff, continued to be difficult.



It is a frustrating state where "1 point" is far away while attacking.

Still, he assisted the final point in the 32nd minute of the second half and won the tournament for the first time.

Leading the team to the quarterfinals.

After the match, the tears that Iwabuchi, who was always strong, showed me, made me feel the size of what I had carried so far.



"Honestly, it was good to win but there was also pressure is not felt until now. It did not go as well to not end here, but there was a lot of really anxiety, everyone was nice to win with a force"



of but 30 days, The team lost to Sweden in the quarterfinals and the fight at the Tokyo Olympics is over.

"I have acted with the goal of winning here. I did my best in four games just because I really wanted to win. It was a difficult tournament, but I did what I could do. There was also a part to do. ”The



Tokyo Olympics faced with the heaviest determination and responsibility on both shoulders, which are 1 meter and 56 centimeters tall. Although he did not reach the medal for the first time in two tournaments, the 28-year-old ace said, "I want to do my best so that each individual can improve their level with full awareness toward the next big tournament." I'm about to start again.