Narita, Japan, Jul 19: Thousands of joyous, flag-waving fans greeted the Japan women's football team as the players arrived home Tuesday morning after beating the United States at the World Cup.
Two fire trucks shot out celebratory arches of water over the team's aircraft as it approached the terminal at Tokyo's Narita Airport.
Throngs of fans wearing the team's dark blue colors greeted the team as they made their way into the terminal.
A nation reeling from months of tragedy has been united in joyous celebration after a team nicknamed “Nadeshiko”—for a pink mountain flower—became the first from Asia to win the biggest prize in women's football. AP
