Japan On Heartwarming 2011 World Cup Run

One of the cool things about international sporting events is that it can sometimes help you forget some of the real life drama you're facing in your own lives, if just for that one fleeting moment.

The nation of Japan has had one jacked up 2011 so far to say the least.   Besides a 9.0 quake, the tsunami that is estimated to have killed 10,000 people and the Fukushima nuclear plant meltdown that occurred in the wake of the first two disasters, the citizens of that nation are probably looking for some positive news to savor.

It may be happening courtesy of the FIFA world number 4 ranked women's soccer team.

Japan has clinched a spot in the quarterfinals for the second time in its FIFA Women's World Cup history after beating New Zealand 2-1 in their opening Group B match and putting a 4-0 beatdown on Mexico earlier today powered by team captain Homare Sawa's hat trick

Japan can clinch the group with a win or draw with the Three Lionesses of England, and the scary part is their coach Norio Sasaki says that his team is only operating at 60% efficiency. 

"It's an honor to be counted among the contenders for the final winner, but we need to go step by step," said coach Sasaki. "We are continuously improving. It's an ongoing process and we would like to get even better."

If that's 60% efficiency, I'd hate to see Nadeshiko Japan at 100% efficiency.

We still have a few weeks yet to go until this event concludes, but so far it looks like a feel good story is developing at the 2011 Women's World Cup involving the ladies from Japan..