Soccer-Japan put Nadeshiko football back on the map, says proud coach

Soccer Football - FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 - Quarter Final - Japan v Sweden - Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand - August 11, 2023 Japan's Jun Endo is consoled by a teammate after the match as they are knocked out of the world cup REUTERS/Hannah Mckay

AUCKLAND (Reuters) - Japan arrived at the Women's World Cup with a mission to put Nadeshiko football back on the global map and coach Futoshi Ikeda felt they had done so despite Friday's quarter-final exit at the hands of Sweden.

World Cup winners in 2011 and runners-up to the United States four years later, Japan slumped out in the last 16 in at the 2015 tournament and lost to the Swedes in the quarter-finals at their home Olympics in 2021.