Japan at the World Cup: And now the world title? – Sports

The great victory occurred between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m. Japan time. Not exactly at prime time, which is why the 2-1 victory of the Japanese footballers against Spain and their place in the World Cup round of 16 surprised many compatriots in their sleep. But a few die-hards watched the game, of course, at home, in sports bars – or outside, like those young people who bent over smartphones or tablets at the statue of the dog Hachiko at Shibuya station in Tokyo. And when success was certain, they did something for the reputation of the Japanese football fan culture: they danced and cheered in a way that is not usually popular in Japan.

It’s hard to say whether the island nation was already gripped by a new, lasting enthusiasm for football on Friday morning. It was simply too early for the really big moves. And the police in Shibuya were as sober as ever anyway. With announcements and barrier tapes, she made sure that the revelers didn’t lose their sense of sheer unexpected happiness. But one thing was clear: this first place in Group E was by no means any other random Japanese sporting success. Spain defeated, Germany defeated – many in Nippon could not imagine such achievements because Europe’s football athletes seemed to be physically superior to the slender Japanese.

“Asian, Japanese football can win against the best in the world.”

In any case, the fans who saw the game were quite moved. Partly to tears, as the Reuters news agency reported. Many said they never expected to win the group. No more talk of the 0:1 against Costa Rica in the game before. The surprise seemed like an awakening to Japan’s football fans. National coach Hajime Moriyasu, not without controversy before the World Cup, spoke of “a new era”, a sign against the superiority of the Far West. “Asian, Japanese football can win against the best in the world,” he said, “I think all the people of Asia will rejoice with us.”

And the joy also came from above. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s passion for sports is usually for the Hiroshima Carp baseball team. But in triumph, of course, he also cheered the footballers. “Historical” he called the result in front of reporters. He called Moriyasu and football association president Kozo Tashima himself. “I told them that they gave courage and energy to the Japanese people,” he said on Twitter.

The amazement of the audience even seemed to go a bit too far for Japan’s players. In particular, SC Freiburg’s Ritsu Doan, goalscorer against Germany and Spain, made it a point not to be surprised by his team’s ability. “I’m not kidding when I say the title is our goal,” he said, “and I think everyone is finally believing that now.” He looked ahead to the next task. On Monday against Croatia, the World Cup runners-up in 2018. Doan and the others still have a little work to do before a lasting new enthusiasm for football takes hold of their homeland.

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