Sleepless Japan goes wild
Sleepless Japan goes wild
Posted: 2010-06-25 09:13
Japanese soccer fans celebrated wildly as dawn broke today and police were called on to fish revelers out of rivers after the national side stunned Denmark 3-1 last to reach the second round of the World Cup in South Africa.
Newspaper headlines boasted of ‘history in the making' after the Blue Samurai reached the last 16 for the second time, while television viewing figures nudged past 41 percent despite the game finishing just before 05h30 Japanese time.
"I'm still shaking, I just can't believe it," tearful 21-year-old clothes shop assistant Yuka Higashi told Reuters, shouting to be heard over the noise around her. "Honda's amazing!"
Midfielder Keisuke Honda scored Japan's first goal against Denmark in Rustenburg after firing the winner against Cameroon in their opening game.
Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan, on official business in Canada, sent a message of congratulations to Japan, who arrived at the tournament mired in a miserable run of form but now face Paraguay on Tuesday for a place in the quarter-finals.
"I wish to congratulate the team on their excellent achievement," Kan said. "The side has given the whole country energy and pride."
Energy drinks were being guzzled by many fans as euphoria gave way to exhaustion and thoughts of a train straight to work.
"I won't get any sleep now," 33-year-old banker Tsuyoshi Hamada said, wincing. "Shower and straight to the office. It's worth it though."
In Osaka, more than 50 fans plunged into the murky waters of the city's Dotonbori River in a repeat of the jubilant scenes of 2002 when Japan reached the last 16 as World Cup co-hosts.
Former Japan captain Hidetoshi Nakata, who retired from the game in tears after the country's tame exit from the 2006 finals, added his support.
"That's the sort of game we've wanted to see," he said. "They've grown up at this World Cup. Now let's hope they can go further than we did in 2002."
Comment on this article:
TERMS OF USE: The comments posted below do not reflect the views of KickOff.com. Users are reminded that no misuse of this comment facility will be tolerated. Any abusive, racist or inflammatory comments will be deleted and the user banned. Please report abusive posts to editor@kickoff.com