DOHA: Japan fan Yuta Kamei was nonetheless shaking with pleasure when CNA spoke to him minutes after the Samurai Blue’s beautiful 2-1 victory over Spain on Thursday (Dec 1) that put them in the World Cup knockout stage.
“I had hoped that we could win but … I knew that Spain was very strong,” he stated, beaming with delight.
Coming into the sport, Luis Enrique’s workforce had been top of Group E, unbeaten in their first two video games. As per the script, they scored early in the primary half, courtesy of Alvaro Morata.
“When Spain scored, I was so sad, and the Spanish (supporter) next to me gave me some snacks,” stated Mr Kamei.
“In the first half, Spain were very strong with their attacks,” added Mr Osamu Kagayama, who watched the sport along with his spouse Shoko on the Khalifa International Stadium.
TEARS IN THE BREAK ROOM
But regardless of going behind, Japanese fans had been hopeful – after all, this was not the primary time Japan had fallen behind this World Cup.
Up in opposition to four-time world champions Germany in their group opener on Nov 23, Japan got here from behind to win 2-1.
Mr Ryoma Yoshii watched the Germany match on a laptop computer in his workplace’s break room again in Japan. He was in tears after the sport, and requested his boss for time without work so he may fly to Qatar, he stated.
“(He said) the World Cup is once every four years, please enjoy it. Before I left Japan, my co-workers and boss and seniors said: ‘Please enjoy, and create a new history for Japanese football’,” he stated.
Then got here a 1-0 defeat to Costa Rica, which plunged Japan’s hopes of progressing into uncertainty.
“Somehow, we couldn’t demonstrate our actual power,” stated Mr Yoshii.
“We don’t know why we lost to Costa Rica, but players and fans never gave up,” added Mr Kamei.
Joy for Japan fans in Qatar after beating Spain 2-1 to top World Cup group
Joy for Japan fans in Qatar after beating Spain 2-1 to top World Cup group
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Joy for Japan fans in Qatar after beating Spain 2-1 to top World Cup group