Paris Olympic qualification may have looked like a given for Nadeshiko Japan after their dynamic performances at last year's World Cup, but the task was far from easy.
Having dealt with tactical changes and unprecedented logistical issues, Futoshi Ikeda's team can feel relief at sealing a berth at the Summer Games when the alternative could have spelled disaster for the women's game at home.
Japan's crisp football at the World Cup in New Zealand was good enough to stun eventual champions Spain 4-0 in the group stage, but Ikeda had moved away from their familiar three-at-the-back formation since exiting the tournament in the quarterfinals.
After his team won their crucial Olympic qualifier against North Korea in Tokyo on Wednesday, Ikeda explained that a broader range of tactics would be paramount this summer in Paris, where he will have only 18 players in his squad.
"I thought we would need many players available when we have close games every three days, to move the ball around well playing under the heat and have more variation to the way we set up depending on the opposition," Ikeda said.
With the four-player defense yet to be properly bedded in, the manager had the flexibility to revert to three at the back against North Korea after agreeing with his players.
Although a nervy moment saw keeper Ayaka Yamashita scrambling the ball off the line, Japan never lost control of the match and had the finesse to turn their chances into goals, proving their ability to deliver when it mattered.
"We hadn't even tried three at the back in training," Manchester City midfielder Yui Hasegawa said. "But we had the foundation from the World Cup and we could pass the ball around with composure."
"It would be great if we can become a side that plays in various ways depending on who we have on the field."
With North Korea ranked one place behind world No. 8 Japan, the two-legged qualification playoff never looked like an easy prospect. And the team faced further obstacles after learning only five days in advance that the first leg, originally scheduled for Pyongyang, would be moved to Saudi Arabia.
Some Europe-based players had flown to Japan, only to quickly fly back halfway across the world to the Middle East, before eventually returning to Japan for the second leg, greatly affecting their preparations. Captain Saki Kumagai vented, "This should never happen" and called for "regulations to be made" to avoid such cases in the future.
The extraordinary circumstances made for a tough test that the Japanese players nevertheless passed with high marks, displaying the type of fortitude they will need if they are to capture a maiden Olympic gold in Paris.
"We had two days of preparation for this game, but still managed to make adjustments from the first leg to deal with this level of opposition. That's our strength," Kumagai said.
"We were aiming for the title at the World Cup, and we had the chance, too. I believe we have the potential to go for the gold medal at the Olympics."
