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Japanese fans drown sorrows after World Cup exit

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There are people drinking in bars at 5am? Admirable stamina.

-4 ( +4 / -8 )

Gambatte didn't work this time. Samurai blue desperately needs a name change.

8 ( +12 / -4 )

“My predictions were way off."

This worldcup has been full of surprises. Great ones at that. Expectations for the Japanese team were just to high, I have to admit I also expected more. Game over, better luck next time.

"But it’s not the end of the world.”

best quote to all this.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Soccer fans are the biggest drama queens.

9 ( +16 / -8 )

As a European i have been watching football for over 30 years,and i never saw such a hype expectations for a minor football national team as Japan,the whole press,the media and even the institutions of this country brained washed the people making them believe that they could reach even the semi-finals,these people started to play Football in a professional way only from 1992,and they have no traditions about it,have you guys checked the Colombian or Ivory Coast footballers? they have some great talents,and they play in top notch teams like Roma and Valencia,Japan is a mediocre team,with his best player in Kagawa,Honda as well which is recognized as a new "pele" in Japan is nothing more than a second class player,he did well in Russia,but in Russia! not in a real competitive championship,fact proves that if you follow the Italian serie A,and Honda joined AC Milan back in jannuary he performed very poorly,play against Italian well experienced defender is a different cup of tea than the light J-league counterparts and even the Russians defenders. so why all this high expectation for a team that could have reach nothing more than maybe a eight final. so i think this is a good lesson for the japanese ultra nationalist media,football is made by traditions,and this is what matter.

14 ( +20 / -7 )

The Japanese media were too optimistic to the point of setting unrealistic expectations for the Japanese public. Either way they tried their best.

7 ( +7 / -1 )

To be fair to Honda, he never said Japan would win the world cup.

He said "Sometimes miracles happen."

But mostly they don't....

5 ( +9 / -4 )

European guy:

i never saw such a hype expectations for a minor football national team as Japan

Really!? You should try living in England.

8 ( +11 / -3 )

Next training menu... be able to shoot to the goal..... One should suppose that shooting to the goal to score should be one most basic things you learn when you begun to play soccer.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

well, do you really expect paid talking heads to say, "nah, i don't think japan really has a chance during this world cup. they'll be lucky to earn even one win." and i think most people really didn't expect japan to win the WC, but it would have been nice to at least make it to the next round.

i think this is the quote of the day:

The World Cup is different. It’s an excuse for a party

and that's really what we all want to.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

japanesereds:

That is a different story,England proved many many times to play amazing football in it's history,i still remember the world cup in Italy back in 1990 with Gazza,and besides the last editions England has a high quality of football level through his premier league,way before many kids started to celebrate Chelsea,there was Liverpool that won everything back in the 70'-80,i still remember when they won the champion cup Vs Rome,so with all the due respect you can't compare England with Japan,i am myself German,but i do respect the English traditions in Football. As i mentioned before Football is made by traditions,so i can understand that people back in England,Germany,Italy,Brazil,Argentina,Spain,France always expect the best from their teams,on the other hand Japan didn't achieve anything to gain such a rank,but from the Japanese media it seems that they should have win this tournament.

4 ( +8 / -4 )

“It’s a huge disappointment,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters.

yeah, all that media hype was to divert public attention from blue economy & help Abenomics score few points.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

alot of the local businesses looking to capitalize on the World Cup have lost money. Can't sell the Samurai blue shirts, bars, restaurants, etc., using the world cup name will be in vain. oh well, maybe next time.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

"Honda said we could win the World Cup,” said the 32-year-old, shaking her head in disbelief that Japan’s talisman failed to fullfil his promise to the nation. “I expected better results.”

Not just me pointing it out. As usual it's time for the apology conferences and the excuses.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

alot of the local businesses looking to capitalize on the World Cup have lost money. Can't sell the Samurai blue shirts, bars, restaurants, etc., using the world cup name will be in vain. oh well, maybe next time.

I'm still buying Coca Colas until I collect enough caps to spell out my own name... its not a total washout for all businesses.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Awww. They got eliminated. Play better next time and don't be drama queens about it.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

I think the hype was because the media probably thought they would do as well as Nadeshiko Japan did in the women's world cup. Maybe the girls would have fared better?

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Samurai Blue lived up to their name, make Japan blue. They were completely out classed. The last two goals by Columbia were beautiful. It showed you the difference in the caliber of the players. They have 2 years to fix the problems in the team, they need more talent. They need someone who can get the ball in the net. I don't think that will happen in two years back in Brazil. The team did play better than in the other 2 games. It looked like they were even trying until almost the end. Still, they need talent. Well at least no one the team bit anyone.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

Good they're out - they were lousy boring too watch play. Now the way is paved for one of all Latin American teams to win this all. Just like I predicted, those teams are doing well close to home. Brazil will fall soon - time for los Blancoceleste to win this. Again.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

I agree wholeheartedly with European Guy's Japanese media hype. The Mr. and I are not from soccer countries but we get caught up in world sporting events. When Japan media spew off these high expectations, and Honda predicts they will be in the final, we get totally turned off. And we don't want to see any winning goal by Japan's team played for the next 6 weeks, see the entire men's soccer team on variety/news programs, see them in TV commercials, or see Honda possibly doing guest spot weather forecasting on channel alpha. I'm sorry to see them lose, but we really want to say..."told you so." Show some humility, then we may cheer for you someday.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Why are they clad in blue, btw? I know the dutch have their oraange...something and Gli Azzurri something similar, but where it the connection between the Japanese colors red and white and the blue uniform? Anybody knows?

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Not sure why Japan was so overhyped. Decent team with some very decent players, which could and maybe even should have won at least 1, if not 2 games. But always second-best to an impressive Colombia who could just take it up a gear when required.

Although I appreciate that going out at a stage that doesn't quite meet the (overhyped...) expectations hurts, it will all feel relative in a few days to a week. It is nowhere near as painful as, say, losing a World-cup final when you're 4 minutes away from a penalty shootout. Now THAT resulted in proper drowning of sorrows.

As a Dutch supporter I gladly would swap the 5-1 victory this year with a victory 4 years ago. Alas, there's always next time, I keep telling meself....

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Oh come on, if they have only been doing it professionally for a couple of decades, then give them some credit for coming so far in such a short time. And give their fans some credit for standing by them through thick and thin. I am personally optimistic that the day will come when Japan (or a neighboring nation, which will probably be the same thing by then) will win the WC. Yes, within my lifetime!

And to whoever is doing the translation parts of this series of reports: well done, you're brilliant! I love reading these.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

@Knox

Yeah, I know this one.

The first "proper" game Japan played was in the Olympics against Sweden. Their colours were red and white, like the Japanese flag, but they were asked to wear their away strip (blue) as it would show up as a better contrast on (black and white) television.

They won, and the superstition developed that blue is Japan's lucky colour.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Fellow readers.....see this for what it is. It was an opportunity to get Japanese consumers spending when they were not.

Abe's tax hike has everybody tight on their wallets.

This is not an attempt to hijack the thread or go off topic. The hype and the predictions were done to get you to BUY. Buy anything with the Brazil mark on it from Japanese companies.

Real soccer fans know better than to underestimate the competition at the World Cup the way Japan did. That's flat out delusions of self grandeur.

If JT would be so kind I'd love to know how much money companies made off all the world cup goodies.

In Honda's defense he never said Japan would win the WC. Instead he promised they would get through the Group stage. Something that he never should have done. Is he worried about it? No, he'll land in Narita...give his Gomenasai press conference.....but he's already scheduled to get back to the Russian league. He's out of here.

Millions if not billions go into this event. It sells products!! That's how this works.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Whats with all the criticism? Sure, the football was poor but those things happen. The Netherlands for example were in the World Cup final in 2010 but in the 2012 Euro Cup they got humiliated in the group stage. That's football. Next time, new chances.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I think japan needs next time talent+ soul spirit of fight like trying to increase speed + defense + rushing soul spirit like in japan vs australia , remember Italy got out ,England , even spain , Focus better next time , try to play matches with south american countries

you could have won easily cote d'ivore , It's not that much of a strong team

you scored 2 goals and be beaten with 5

spain got out with 7 goals , anyway I hope the next World cup , reshuffle those player and bring the new small talented generation

Good luck japan ( even monkey fall from the tree ) ganbare nihon next time

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

“Why, why, why?” wailed sales assistant Mami

Crying like this over a football loss is a sign she doesn't have enough real trouble in her life.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

japan should focus on the new generation of players and try to practice a matches outside Asia arena , Asia has got no competing football skills , japan should focus on South America , Europe , Africa

japan has a bad habit of learning mechanism in playing football in moves , old moves with no spirit

they should play with aggressive African and skilled S.American teams

I am sure japan will go to the finales if they focus on skill and throw the learning mechanism of player moves aside

okubo is useless , Cote d'ivore was not much of a team

Well done japan , try to focus on fighting spirit and trash the idea of playing with asian teams

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Not what we all were hoping for, but at least NO Japanese player, coach or fan bit an opposing player, coach or fan!

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Sitting on a curb sipping quietly from a beer can, cycle shop employee Masahiro Doi, 36, said: “You get so revved up because it’s the World Cup. You believe the hype. But it’s not the end of the world.”

oh come'n japanese you got many thing that you are superior in many field of life , Anyway trash the spiritless player , Japan lacked this time the player who can make pressure on the goalkeeper ,

You believe the hype. But it’s not the end of the world.”

No way , Spain has been shot down by 7 goals LOL

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

“Let’s be honest, it was like boys against men,” said computer programmer Akinori Higashi, 40. “Colombia were so quick and strong, the Japanese players just bounced off them. They were too good.”

Yup. Anyone looking at the game objectively saw the same thing.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

I was hoping for them to last longer so I would have a reason to cheer with my Japanese drinking friends. Now I have to watch something else.Thanks to the Japanese fans for the excellent example they showed the World by cleaning up the trash.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Japan lost because they are not physical enough point blank, yes they have the knowledge of the game but you have to also be physical and not play keep away small ball. Japan winning the world cup was nothing but hype and a marketing ploy, which was great mind control for those Japanese fans who went out and drank themselves crazy and really thought Japan would win. Wait til when the Olympics arrive watch and see what the predicted and EXPECTED gold medal count would be!!!

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

For European Guy and the others who agree with him, be careful who you mock. It wasn't very long ago that the teams from the CONCACAF were considered substandard as well, but their showing in this World Cup has raised talk of getting a fourth guaranteed spot in future World Cups. Mexico - moves on; Costa Rica - moves on; US - can move on with a win or a tie against Germany OR with a loss and some help from the other two teams in the group. That's not the kind of results you expect from a "substandard" league. In another decade or so, Japan may be moving out of the "substandard" category as well.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Japan lost because they are not physical enough point blank, yes they have the knowledge of the game but you have to also be physical and not play keep away small ball. Japan winning the world cup was nothing but hype and a marketing ploy, which was great mind control for those Japanese fans who went out and drank themselves crazy and really thought Japan would win. Wait til when the Olympics arrive watch and see what the predicted and EXPECTED gold medal count would be!!!

Hmm the sochi Olympic obama said we will return back with two gold medals with a homo player and turned out that the russian collected the biggest number of gold medals

not physical ,every team has a bad and good tide, they were too nervous and shaky , of course ,even spain lost and was driven out by 7 goals LOL

olympic in 2020 ? No I don't like being held in japan for the nuclear power problem ,but if it happens , Japan has the ability to make a big score

Yup. Anyone looking at the game objectively saw the same thing.

Should I say spain has got spoiled brat in the two matches since they got cornered with 10 goals and the coach said the future of spain player is safe LOL

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

great mind control for those Japanese fans who went out and drank themselves crazy and really thought Japan would win

No. Japanese like to go out and drink themselves crazy in any events, not just the World Cup.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Japan could have a better World Cup but somehow the offensive was very poor, if they pushed offensive a little bit more, maybe the first two games could be won, but weather and a humble defense paid the price at the end.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Thanks to the Japanese fans for the excellent example they showed the World by cleaning up the trash.

And that begs the question, who threw all that trash in the first place?

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

great mind control for those Japanese fans who went out and drank themselves crazy and really thought Japan would win

@kaimycahl

Welcome to Japan. You probably just got here but in Spring, during the cherry blossom season, many Japanese people like to have what they call a "hanami". Basically, they sit under cherry blossom trees and drink themselves crazy. A majority of people don't sit there and look at pink flowers. They use it as an excuse to be able to have fun and drink. The World Cup is no exception.

I hope you enjoy your stay in Japan.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I'm glad that things will return to some sort of normality. However, I am very disappointed that none of the bars that have been so avidly promoting the Japan matches will continue the same support to show the finals of the World Cup. It sort of shows you just how selfish the Japanese are. I am only interested in watching the finals and my country is also out of contention, but that is no reason to shit it down! There may be a few foreign owned bars that will show the finals, but none of the Japanese owned will give two hoots cos Japan is finished.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

portugal is technically out since they will have to score 4-0 against ghana , Croatia is out , cote d'ivore is out , england is out , LOL

It seems that the big teams are out , Japan did well compared with the level of playing with asia teams

Nice japan , Try to be hard and more active next time , the soccer is defeat and win .

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Well, at least we still have each other Japan.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

"“Why, why, why?” wailed sales assistant Mami Shibata"

What did you expect from a team ranked 46th in the world? Back to work.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Suga is delusional as usual comparing Japan to Italy and England.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

It's funny. I'm English and didn't expect diddly squat.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Seems like if Japan scores a goal they go defensive, shut down and end up waiting until the opponent scores more goals. Their style is very boring and the players are way to cocky.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Suga is delusional as usual comparing Japan to Italy and England.

Of course no , they are playing in EU and japan have no access in EU modern style of playing and despite that they lost

by the way spain , Italy and england , Portugal is technically lost since they will have to score at least 3 goals to pass against ghana LOL

If japan had the chance to join EU tournament , I am sure that japan could have the WC at least for 2 times

Spain won the WC for 1 time despite being participated in WC for 17 times , What a shame for a EU team

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

with all the due respect you can't compare England with Japan,i am myself German,but i do respect the English traditions in Football. As i mentioned before Football is made by traditions,so i can understand that people back in England,Germany,Italy,Brazil,Argentina,Spain,France always expect the best from their teams

An intelligent and insightful comment. Thank you European guy and best of luck to Germany. We are sworn old enemies on the pitch but full respect to the German team for their skill and sportsmanship.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

I'm glad that things will return to some sort of normality. However, I am very disappointed that none of the bars that have been so avidly promoting the Japan matches will continue the same support to show the finals of the World Cup. It sort of shows you just how selfish the Japanese are. I am only interested in watching the finals and my country is also out of contention, but that is no reason to shit it down! There may be a few foreign owned bars that will show the finals, but none of the Japanese owned will give two hoots cos Japan is finished.

Of course because they will be back to work , there is no point of cheer-leading the other teams and waste time and tension

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

I'm a heavy drinker, but waking up at 5 AM and then drinking just sounds GROSS.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Hype for Japan?

Everyone in US, the media, ESPN..etc. all had Columbia and Ivory Coast getting out. Greece was a surprise but not that much. Japan was listed at the bottom before the games started. No one here pay attention to ranking because they are not accurate.

So its really not that surprising. I think Japan, other than the last game against Columbia, played relatively well. The problem, and I by no means is an avid soccer fan but see and agree that you guys don't have any good strikers. Your midfielders are pretty good but your defenders are terrible. I keep seeing that Okubo guy falling and not being in good position. And when he was in good position, he can't score or even strike the ball towards the goal. And don't get me started on the defenders. You guys had a 11-10 man advantage against Greece and you couldn't score in an entire half. You couldn't take advantage when you're suppose to. That's like a 45min power play in hockey. How can you not score?

You can't possibly think that you can out-maneuver stronger teams with greater talents can you?

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

"Soccer fans are the biggest drama queens"

Har!

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

alot of the local businesses looking to capitalize on the World Cup have lost money. Can't sell the Samurai blue shirts, bars, restaurants, etc., using the world cup name will be in vain. oh well, maybe next time.

I keep people saying you can buy the Samurai jersey's cheap now. Well, I want one, but they're still expensive everywhere. Where can I get one?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Where can I get one?>

Have you enquired at your local sports shop?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Some of my Japanese friends say, maybe Honda, Nagatomo etc..should have been concentrating more on WINNING and TRAINING for the world cup than making so many nice TV COMMERCIALS like all those in which Honda, Nagatomo etc...appear for beer, cameras etc...and by the way, in an interview BEFORE the WC began, HONDA clearly said that the SAMURAI BLUE would surely win, in Japanese he said, yuusho deshou, meaning We will win (SMILING) and when I saw that, I just thought to my self, is Honda on drugs?? Is this guy believing his OWN HYPE?? Is this guy just way too naive?? Now the whole team has come back down!! Crashing down to earth, to the reality that the Japanese team could not even score against GREECE!! Not one crappy goal against a team like GREECE and then the end came like a kick in the head and maybe to the balls, when COLOMBIA should Japan how SOCCER should really be played. I do hope and pray COLOMBIA beats the crap out of the Uruguay team who is still crying after that idiot fool LUIS SUAREZ was banned and fined for biting the Italian player! Japan, time to really learn, study, be patient but be diligent and learn from the worlds best teams, watch the world cup until the very end, this is the ONLY way Japanese will LEARN what soccer is all about, it is NOT only about J league.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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