Japan 1: Cameroon 0
For Japan’s World Cup Opener, I was at home, alone, wearing my blue jersey. Apparently, none of my friends in Hanoi were interested to watch Japan compete (???). That’s a shame because the game was really exciting. And at the end of 90 minutes, Japan WON!!!! In a World Cup which has started off with a heck of a lot of tie matches, this is BIG for Japan on so many levels.
As the pre-game coverage unfolded, I couldn’t help but remember the 2006 games and a bar in Fujieda called the Skin Flute. The first game of the World Cup was a heartbreaker, losing 3-1 and in the last 8 minutes to Australia. Great for our friend Peter, but pretty sad for the rest of the bar, as it really looked like Japan would take the game, until Australia put in some fresh legs at about minute 76.
In last night’s match, Japan played amazing defense, and were aggressive on offense too. They still don’t play as fluid as the Europeans, making lots of standing passes, but not a lot of running passes. Both teams displayed an extraordinary level of drama. Lots of fake falling and injuries. I can’t stand that about soccer. I do think Japan will take Denmark, but Holland will be a tough match, for sure. Especially since Holland is largely thought to be a huge contender to win the World Cup. Having said that, the J-Boys look ready, fit and full of Samurai Spirit. I loved that underneath those ear-piercing vuvuzela horns, you could hear the beating of the taiko.
While I was watching the game last night, I couldn’t help but think back to my life in 2006. My, how things change. In so many ways my life has moved on from that point, but at the same time, there is so much of me that longs for a bar named the Skin Flute, an amazing group of friends filling up the seats, all those Japanese cheers, and Kawaguchi between the posts.
Tags: World Cup