What's going on in Japan? (No.33)
SOCCER / Sawa named best women's player by FIFA
Homare Sawa, who captained Japan to victory at the 2011 Women's World Cup in Germany, was named the world's top female player in 2011, world soccer governing body FIFA announced Jan. 9.
Sawa became the first Asian player, either male or female, to win FIFA’s Ballon d'Or. Barcelona and Argentina forward Lionel Messi snared the men's award for the third straight year.
The prize adds to Sawa's list of recent honors, which include tournament MVP and top scorer at the World Cup in Germany.