Soccer legend Sawa retires
Homare Sawa, center, smiles at the medal ceremony after Japan won a silver medal in the women's soccer championship match after losing to the United States at the London Olympics, at Wembley Stadium on Aug. 9, 2012. (Mainichi)
Homare Sawa competes for the ball despite having just recovered from an illness, in the women's soccer semifinal match between Japan and France at the London Olympics, on Aug. 6, 2012. (Mainichi)
Homare Sawa dribbles during a women's soccer preliminary round match between Japan and Canada at the London Olympics, on July 25, 2012. (Mainichi)
Homare Sawa listens to the Japanese national anthem before a friendly match, at Kagawa Pref. Marugame Stadium on May 24, 2015. (Mainichi)
Homare Sawa, left, competes with a defender for the ball three minutes into a match between Japan and Nigeria at the Athens Olympics, on Aug. 14, 2004. (Mainichi)
Homare Sawa, right, heads the ball in an international friendly on May 7, 2006. (Mainichi)
Homare Sawa, left, celebrates after scoring the first goal in a qualifying match between Japan and Mexico for the Women's World Cup, while being congratulated by Eriko Arakawa. (Mainichi)
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