The Japanese women’s team, known as the Cherry Blossoms, take to the field in the opening match of the Rabobank Hockey World Cup against the Netherlands. The Japanese women are ranked ninth in the world and second in Asia behind South Korea. They have taken part in six previous World Cups, coming fifth in Madrid in 2006.  This time round, the team hope to better the 11th place they achieved in the 2011 World Cup.

Ninth at the Olympics
The Cherry Blossoms ended in ninth place at the 2012 Olympics in London, at which the Netherlands won the gold medal. The team lost their opening match but went on to draw against Belgium and to beat China and South Africa. Since then the team has undergone a major overhaul and rejuvenation and only five of that Olympic team are expected in The Hague. The Cherry Blossom’s most influential players are Miyuki Nakagawa, Keiko Manabe en Shiho Otsuka.

World Cup app and Facebook
Want to know more about the Japanese women’s team? Download the World Cup app (App Store or Google play) or go to our Facebook page which this week focuses on Japan. There you can check out the video ‘This is Japan!’, featuring the captains and different players. You can find more extensive information on the website via the country pages.

The Japanese women’s team in the Netherlands
Hockey club Ring Pass in Delft is hosting the Japanese women during the World Cup.