One of a host of exciting and talented players set to feature at the FIFA Women's World Cup China 2007 in September, inspirational Japanese midfielder Homare Sawa is sure to impress fans around the globe with her natural ability and insightful attacking play.

Boasting a formidable goalscoring record from her position in the middle of the park, legend has it that Sawa found the back of the net with her very first kick of the ball. At the tender age of six, young Homare was watching her older brother train when the team's coach invited her on to the pitch to take a shot. Stepping up to the challenge with aplomb, the precocious youngster proceeded to lash a fierce effort past the startled goalkeeper.

On the back of such promising beginnings, Sawa made her way up the footballing ladder at a remarkable rate. As a young girl, she was the only female member of a prestigious local youth team, the experience adding polish and purpose to her athleticism and intuitive understanding of the game. As if to emphasise her remarkable progression, Sawa had earned her first appearance in Japan's elite women's league at just 12 years of age.

From that point, it took the young phenomenon a little over two years to make her senior international debut - a 1993 victory over the Philippines in which she scored four goals. She soon became the driving force behind the Japanese women's team, gaining worldwide praise for her performances at both the 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup in Sweden and the Olympic Women's Football Tournament at Atlanta 1996 .

A key reason for Sawa's success has been her down-to-earth personality and earnest appreciation of the game. Steadfastly refusing to let her achievements get to her head, she has never stopped working hard to improve her skills.

American adventure
Determined to take her abilities to the next level, in 1999 she made the transition to club football in the United States. First stop for the gifted Japanese was the Colorado Rush, followed by the Atlanta Beat, where she went down in history by scoring the team's first ever goal. Measuring in at a comparatively small 164 centimetres (5 ft 5"), Sawa more than held her own against much taller American opponents, developing into a dominant force stateside and winning praise from the likes of USA legend Mia Hamm .

Now back in Japan with former team NTV Beleza, she continues to excel for both club and country alike, winning accolades such as the 2004 AFC Women's Player of the Year and the 2006 Nadeshiko League Player of the Year. An attack-minded central midfielder who finds the net as often as a prolific striker, Sawa is also widely admired for her outstanding technical prowess, physical toughness, vision and tireless commitment to the team.

Currently enjoying her 16th season of top-level football, the vastly experienced star has broken a host of records over the years. Still only 28, she has already appeared for her country 118 times and contributed an amazing 60 goals, becoming Japan's all-time leading scorer in 2005.

Coming to the four
As one might expect, Sawa's performances have become integral to the Nadeshiko's fortunes.

In fact, it was a heroic contribution from the battle-hardened midfielder that helped propel Japan past a difficult play-off with Mexico and book their passage to China 2007. This is despite the fact that, in training for the March showdown with the Tricolor, she was struck down with a leg muscle injury which seriously jeopardized her participation in the two-legged affair.

Against all the odds, Sawa recovered in time to make the starting line-up for the first leg in Tokyo, scoring one and laying on another in a vital 2-0 victory for the home side. In spite of being out of action for a full two months, she firmly rose to the challenge and played some inspired football. She also managed to compete in the second leg, helping Japan clinch a 3-2 aggregate victory and seal their place in the finals.

This September's showpiece event in China will be Sawa's fourth consecutive FIFA Women's World Cup, the perfect stage for a player of such abundant skills and endless determination. When the eyes of the footballing world turn to the tournament on Chinese soil, Sawa has the talent and the temperament to rise to the occasion once more.