Missing Japan's Best 8 "I got courage" "I also challenge" Empathy spreads December 6, 19:43
At the World Cup, Japan unfortunately lost to powerhouse Croatia after a penalty shootout.
Although they fell short of their goal of reaching the quarter-finals or above, they bravely challenged the world's top level teams such as Germany and Spain and won.
Japan's fight to the end, which turned the tables, is gaining sympathy among a wide range of generations.
Japan National Team Supporters From Mie to Shibuya
A man cheers for the Japan national team at a sports bar in Shibuya.
My name is Takamitsu Masui (55), a company employee living in Tsu City.
This was my 3rd visit to Tokyo in the last 2 weeks.
About 30 years ago (in 1993), he became interested in soccer when the J-League started.
Since the South African Games 12 years ago, he has been visiting Tokyo every time the World Cup is held and sending cheers to the Japanese national team.
It seems that this tournament was also watching all 3 games of the first league in Japan in Tokyo.
SNS reactions during the match
The game went into overtime with the score tied 1-1.
Still, there was no settlement and the game became a penalty kick battle.
Mr. Masui, who was watching the game with a friend living in Kanto, prayed in front of the big screen while muttering, "It's okay, it's okay."
Goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda's name was posted on social media, raising expectations for a save.
(From Twitter)
"Mr. Gonda, please Mr. Gonda, please Mr. Gonda, gonda and mellow"
"I'll leave it to you, I believe in you
" You're doing better than I imagined!! I asked Gon-chan!! And everyone who kicks should believe in themselves!!"
However, Japan missed three players and lost the match.
SNS after the game
After Japan lost in the penalty kick match, people on the internet commented, "It was a nice game! It was frustrating, but I think the players are tens of thousands of times more frustrating..."
"It was a nice game!! It was a game that really moved me and gave me a lot of courage.
” The post of “nice game” praising the players has become a trending word on Twitter.
Furthermore, "next World Cup" entered the trend word.
There were various voices in addition to gratitude, such as those who asked how to strengthen the Japanese national team and what supporters should be for the next tournament.
(From Twitter)
"The players who fought to exceed the best 8 should be praised. However, I don't think it will be possible to exceed the barrier of the best 8 unless there is a time period in which we can hold the ball against a strong team.
" I have to thank you for entertaining us so much, just winning against Spain and Germany was great.It's frustrating, but I felt a considerable difference in ability in the penalty shootout."
“Nothing is impossible” Let’s have a heart that we learned from the Japanese national team
Mr. Masui was deeply moved by Japan's tenacious fighting style.
He asked me to make a decision.
Mr. Masui
“I always had a dream of becoming an actor. After graduating from high school, I gave up once, but after the Great East Japan Earthquake (when I was 42 years old), my work was temporarily suspended. I decided to do what I wanted to do without regrets, so I applied to be an extra in movies and dramas."
Even if you can appear as an extra, it will not lead to the important role.
Is it impossible to be an actor?
It was Japan's fighting style that inspired me to think so.
Mr. Masui:
“By watching soccer games, I have made friends with whom I can share my joy, and my life has definitely become richer.
” He told me that there is nothing that makes me happier, and that nothing is impossible.”
“The CEO told me that the higher the dream, the more “new scenery” will open up when you achieve it. The dream of an actor is the same. You may laugh at me for saying I'm 55 years old, but I think I'll try one more time."
What the Japanese national team brought on SNS...
From the performance of the Japanese national team in this tournament, it seems that SNS has given people of all generations the energy to face them in their lives.
(From Twitter)
"What I learned from this World Cup is that if you keep running, chances will always arise. It was very stimulating and made me realize once again that it is very important for me to do business." (Worker)
"Luck is also a part of skill, but lucky people must be confident. Taking advantage of chances to attract good luck. A positive attitude that turns bad luck into good luck. Overturned the criticism of Shimouma I feel like I learned something from the Japanese national team." (Worker)
"My game is just starting. I got courage from Japanese soccer, so I'm going to face the game of entrance exams." (Student)
Furthermore, while using the phrase “the last World Cup,” there was also a post thanking the Japanese national team.
(From Twitter)
"I want to say thank you" and "Thank you for the excitement". It was my last World Cup at the age of 90. Thank you for the dream of the world." (90-year-old woman)
To the next new step
At the Qatar tournament, Japan lost in the first round of the final tournament, the same as the previous tournament in Russia.
If you look only at the results, it may look the same as four years ago.
However, this tournament has made great strides in the history of Japanese football.
One colleague even told me, "I never thought the day would come when Japan would win against both Germany and Spain in my lifetime."
If you are familiar with soccer, I think you can understand how amazing Japan overturned Gemma's criticism.
The breakthrough of Japan in Qatar may have given me a great deal of strength to take the first step toward a “new landscape” in my life.
(Network News Dept. Hiroki Matsumoto, Ayato Suzuki, Tatsuro Imono)