The draining duel

Although it was the first game of the 2nd stage, it was like the final.

Brazil vs. Chile, 1-1 (shootout 3-2)

I don't like a game of which result is decided with shootout. It's a real cruel for a beaten team.

The players of the two teams were worn out both physically and mentally. Their physical and mental were beyond the limit. It's usual in a game which is decided with shootout.

Although Brazil has huge amount of pressure to have to win the championship in the World Cup which is held in their country, they defeated Chile.

The moment Brazil's wining is decided

Both the winners and the losers are crying after the game.

The man of the match is, of course, the goalkeeper Julio Cesar. He did VERY GOOD job in this game!!

The Chile team,

You were really a great and strong team. I can say you were the team which could aim for the championship. Unfortunately, you faced Brazil in the first game of the 2nd stage. It can be said that it was almost the final game.

Thank you very much for showing the wonderful games.

The Group stage has finished.

Spain, Italy, England and Portugal, many European soccer powers were eliminated before the 2nd stage.

On the other hand, Latin American countries showed great performance so far.
Home-court advantage? I don't think it's only a reason though.


Here it is the 2nd stage tournament.

The persons I'm going to take notice of are;

James Rodriguez of Colombia.
Actually I didn't know of him at all. But because I hear many people praise him a great deal, I though I should see this talented young boy carefully.

 Rodriguez scored a goal.

Vincent Enyeama, a goalkeeper of Nigeria
He is a funny and very friendly person!

Enyeama chaffing a opposite player Messi during the game!!

Enyeama telling jokes to the referees during the half time!!

Miguel Herrera, a coach of Mexico
His enthusiastic reactions have been a hot topic in this World Cup.

Herrera being more excited than the players

The countries which I think become dark-horse in addition to Costa Rica are;

Chile, Colombia, Belgium

Suarez, you need treatment of mental illness.

Surprisingly, an Uruguay player Suarez, who is one of the top players in the world, bit an opposing player during the game Uruguay vs. Italy.

Suarez is biting Chiellini of Italy.

Much more surprisingly, it was not the first time, but the third time. He bit opposing players both when he played on Ajax in Netherlands and when he played on Liverpool in England. He was suspended for several games at those times.

He said in tears that it was a really wonderful thing to play and score goals in the World Cup.
He knows that playing in the World Cup is such a special thing, and he also knows he would be suspended if he bites. Why did he do?

A few children are sometimes suffered from some kind of mental illness and bite other people. But it is cured as they grow up.

Suarez is definitely suffered from mental illness. He should, or rather MUST receive psychological treatment.

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has reached a decision
#1. He is suspended for nine matches.
#2. He is banned for four months from any football-related activity.
#3. He is ordered to pay a fine in the amount of CHF 100,000.

I think that #3 is meaningless, it's a great deal of money though.
Regarding #1 and #2, I think it's too lenient. FIFA should suspend him until he succeed in curing his mental illness.
There are many children in the world who loves soccer and the players and want to be a player when they grow up.
It's is as if FIFA told such children that a player is valuable enough to play if he has great soccer ability in spite of his immature mentality.

Japan soccer doesn't have future at this rate.

Japan was not able to get even one win. Of course, they were eliminated from the World Cup.
It's no wonder.

However, many Japanese people expected the Japan team to move to the 2nd stage, and once they were eliminated, many of the people started criticizing the manager Zaccheroni.

He has been doing very well. He improved the Japan team a lot in 4 years. The reason the Japan team was eliminated is just its low ability in the first place, needless to say.

Japan has been overestimating Japan soccer ability, and I HATE it. Even the players themselves misunderstand their own ability.

If Japan wants to improve the Japan soccer level seriously, first thing to do is understand the actual current ability accurately.

Then drawing the future situation it should be, and then figuring out the GAP. It's the same as business.

Unless Japan is aware of the current accurately, it can't determine what to do and how to do in order to bridge the gap.
That means there is no future for the Japan soccer.

The first appearance, the first goal and the first win

Bosnia and Herzegovina made a debut in the World Cup.

Although the soccer level of Bosnia and Herzegovina is very high, it was a long way to participating the World Cup. 

Many of the players have grown up under the terrible horrible Bosnian War.

Even after the end of the war, the religious and ethnic conflict is deep-rooted.
An old brother of one of the player said his young brother has been branded as a traitor by people in the same ethnic group. Because he plays with people in the different ethnic groups??

There were 3 chairman in the Bosnia and Herzegovina Football Association, Muslim Bosniak, Orthodox Serb and Catholic Croat.
I think that it's an abnormal circumstance, but is indicate the depth of religious and ethnic conflicts.

Because they was not able to solve that abnormal situation, they were suspended by FIFA and UEFA. So many people related to Bosnia and Herzegovina soccer have tried hard to solve it, it was not easy though.
Their first participation in the World Cup was accomplished with MUCH effort of MANY people.

At their 1st game, versus Argentina, although they lost the game, the memorable first goal in the World Cup was scored by Ibisevic.

Ibisevic scored

At their 2nd game, versus Nigeria, they also lost the game.
However, I can say that they would have definitely won if there weren't twice misjudgments.
In fact, the ace striker, Dzeko said that we were going back home, but the ｒeferee also should go home.
If Bosnia and Herzegovina has won this game, they would have been able to move to the 2nd stage!!
I know that "if bla bla bla" is meaningless though.

Disappointed Dzeko

At their 3rd game, versus Iran, they finally scored their first win!!!

I wonder if this wonderful wining can help Bosnia and Herzegovina solve their ethic conflict even a little.

I was born and grow up in a homogeneous country Japan, so it's hard for me to understand the situation of their country. So maybe I shouldn't comment on it.

However, if there are 2 options, "killing each other" and "playing some sports in the same team together for own country", which do people want to choose?

Lampard, your last play in the World Cup?

Although it has been decided that England was eliminated from the World Cup, they had one more game left, versus Costa Rica.

Just before the game, I found that England would let their young players play in the game for their experience.

I was surprised to hear that, because I expected England to try to win at least one game with the best members.

Young players!?!? That means I would end up not seeing Lampard play in this World Cup?

But! Lampard participated in the game as a captain!! Finally, I was able to see him play.

He is a great player as usual both physically and mentally.

He is 36 years old, and it has been said that he might retire from the national team, he said he would think about it after going back home though.

So it might be the last time to see him play in the World Cup. I have a deep feeling.





Most of the players of the England team were young, which of one was 18-year-old boy! Lampard showed grate captain ability, but probably because of the young players' lack of experience, the England team didn't work well.

In the latter half, Gerrard was brought in. Oh! I was very excited because I though I can see the combination of Lampard and Gerrard!

Lampard and Gerrard have been pulling the England national team for a long time. Gerrard is 34 years old. I was wondering if it's also the last time to see them in the same pitch together.

Just after Gerrarrd was brought in, Lampard called him and handed the captain arm belt. It was somehow moving moment.

Lampard handed the captain arm belt to Gerrard.

After that, Rooney was also brought in, and the England team worked better gradually.
But unfortunately, it was draw.

England vs. Costa Rica, no score draw.

Lampard, and the England team,

I wanted to see you play in this World Cup a bit longer.

Although the result of the World Cup Brazil might be terrible for you, I believe that when looking back on this World Cup in several years, it will be considered as a good turning point of generational change for England.

I expect the England team to come back to the World Cup with new talented players in 4 years and to aim for the championship.

I need to memorize the face and name of the England's young players. I don't most of them. haha.

Dark Hourse, Costa Rica!

The reason that Group D is called "Death Group" is Uruguay, England and Italy are all in this group, which means one of them would not advance to the 2nd stage.

Take a look at the following.

3 teams have won the championship before. I believe everyone paid attention to which country among 3 ends up not being able to advance the 2nd stage.

However, Costa Rica defeated Uruguay 3-1 on 14th and today, it also defeated Italy 1-0, and then moves to the 2nd stage!!!!! Surprising!!!!!

Uruguay and Italy is facing on 24th for moving to the 2nd stage, which means either of the teams also leaves before the final 16.

Stormy World Cup!

England also leaves before the 2nd stage.

England lost to Uruguay, 1-2.

Following Spain, another soccer nation was not able to advance to the final 16. I think it is one of the worst events in both Span and England soccer histories.

Suarez of Uruguay was great!
It had been said that he might not be able to participate in the World Cup because of his injury.
In the interview after the game, he said in tears that scoring goals in the World Cup was really special thing. I was impressed by his tear. Even for him who is one of the top players, the World Cup is such special.

Now that England that I always cheer for leaves, I wonder what team I should root for from now. I'll wait and see a little more.

Spain was eliminated from the World Cup Brazil.

Something extraordinary happen!?!

Spain was not able to move to the 2nd stage.

They won the cup three times in a row, EURO 2010, World Cup 2010 and EURO 2012, and the ranking it 1st. What was wrong with them?

Chile defeated Spain 2-0.

It seems that I guessed right,
http://mytokyoolympics.blogspot.jp
and Chile moves to the 2nd stage.

Ochoa, a lot of great saving

Brazil vs. Mexico, no score draw.

Brazil's goalkeeper Ochoa saved Brazil's goals many times.
I don't know how many times an announcer shouted "Ochoa--!". haha.

He was selected as the man of the match, needless to say.

Germany won big against Portugal.

Germany vs. Portugal, 4 - 0.

I guess many people were looking forward to see this game because it was FIFA Ranking2nd vs. 3rd.

However, unexpected big margin! 4 - 0!!

Mueller scored a hat trick!

Come to think of it, he was awarded the Golden Boot at the last World Cup in South Africa.
At that time, he was 20-year-old young boy, he is now still 24 though.

Venue plans for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics will be revised.

On 10th June,
Tokyo Governor, Yoichi Masuzoe announced that the venue plan will be revised because of its expensive cost.

On 31st May,
The Tokyo National Stadium, constructed for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, was closed because it is going to be reconstructed for the 2020 Olympics. The farewell party of the National Stadium was held on 31th.

I wonder if what kind of stadium will be built with lower cost.

Dorogba is a real pillar of the team.

Côte d'Ivoire defeated Japan, 2-1.

Although Côte d'Ivoire first went 1-0 down, as soon as Drogba, on the bench at the start, was brought on, Côte d'Ivoire scored two goals in a row.
It was not that Drogba got a goal or assisted the goals, I think the team suddenly started working well because of Drogba's joining.

He must be a both spiritual and functional pillar of the Côte d'Ivoire.

Ah---, England

I always cheer for the England team. This time, England is in the most terrible "Death Group."

The FIFA Ranking of England is 11th, but there are no less than two teams of which ranking is above in the group. Uruguay is 7th and Italy is 9th. What a terrible group!!

England's first game was versus Italy, and Italy defeated England 2-1. Ah-----.

However, Costa Rica (the ranking is 28th) defeated Uruguay 3-1.
Surprising ending!

There is still hope left for England.


And, my favorite player, Frank Lampard didn't participate in the game. It was a shame.
I hope I can see him play in the next game, and England wins.

What happened to Spain?!

Spain and Netherlands, they faced each other in the final at the previous World Cup in South Africa, faced again in the first round.

Surprisingly, 1-5!! Spain lost no less than 5!!!!!


Regarding another game of Group B, Chile defeated Australia 3-1.
I heard that Chile is actually strong enough to aim for championship. Unfortunately it is in the same group with Spain and Netherlands. But Chile might move to the second place instead of Spain?!

The 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil has started.

It finally began.
Some problems have been pointed, such as the delay in preparation/construction and the lack of public safety.
In fact, some constructions have not been completed yet and many Japanese tourists have already gotten involved in incidents in Brazil.
The delay in the 2016 Rio Olympics preparation has already been considered as a big problem.
But anyway, it has started.

Surprisingly, I heard that EVERY day when Brazil's game is held would be holiday in Brazil. Not only shops but companies and schools are all closed.
Only the Soccer Nation could do that!



The opening game was Brazil vs. Croatia.
Brazil won normally. 3-1.
The Man of Match is Neymar as expected. He scored two goals. I wonder if it is the first step for him toward the Golden Boot or Golden Foot, or both?

By the way,Japanese acted the referees for the opening game. Although there are some disputes, it was an honor for Japanese people.

The chief referee, Yuichi Nishimura

Terrible assignment - Yasushi Akimoto

It's been a while since I posted the last article.

During that, there are several affairs about the Tokyo Olympics.

17th March
Fujio Mitarai, who is a chairman of CANON, was appointed Honorary President of Tokyo 2020.

At the same time, many people were added to the Executive Board, including Yasushi Akimoto.
Boooooooo------------!!!!!!!!!!

I booed when Former Prime Minister, Mori was assigned to the head of the committee.
http://mytokyoolympics.blogspot.jp/2014/02/the-organizing-committee-was-launced.html

But I boo much more this time!!!

His appointment has been criticized much. In fact, signature-collecting campaigns against his appointment have been conducted.

Terrible. Really terrible!