Homare Sawa of Japan FIFA Women's World Player of the Year 2011 holds her trophy during the FIFA Ballon d'Or 2011 soccer awards ceremony at the Kongresshaus in Zurich, Jan 9, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Japan captain Homare Sawa's FIFA women's Player of the Year award triggered a fresh wave of delight in local newspapers and on television after a big night for the team in Zurich.

Sawa, who led Japan's women to an astonishing World Cup triumph in Germany last year, posed for photos with three-time men's winner Lionel Messi while dressed in a traditional kimono.

"My first thought was that the trophy felt so heavy," Sawa told Japan's NHK television on Tuesday. "It's humbling to write a new page in Japanese soccer history.

"It still hasn't sunk in," added the 33-year-old, whose brilliance in Germany last year halted a run of five successive wins for Brazilian Martha.

"Just for making it among the nominees, I wanted to say 'Well done!' to myself. When I went up to get the award my heart was pounding and I was sweating. It was a surprise to win."

Japan coach Norio Sasaki won the women's coach of the year at a gala FIFA ceremony on Monday.

Sasaki had shown his team harrowing photos of the devastation wrought by last year's deadly earthquake and tsunami in northeast Japan before their matches at the World Cup.

 

FIFA Women's World Player of the Year 2011 nominee Homare Sawa of Japan attends a news conference before the FIFA Ballon d'Or 2011 soccer awards ceremony at the Kongresshaus in Zurich, Jan 9, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]