Bars across Japan erupted with joy on Tuesday as soccer fans exchanged beery hugs after their team stunned Colombia 2-1 in their World Cup opener in Russia. Many supporters, the majority the worse for wear after a boozy evening glued to the television, celebrated with one for the road –
Bars across Japan erupted with joy on Tuesday as soccer fans exchanged beery hugs after their team stunned Colombia 2-1 in their World Cup opener in Russia.
Many supporters, the majority the worse for wear after a boozy evening glued to the television, celebrated with one for the road — while still managing to keep one eye on the clock to check they could make trains home.
In Tokyo, former England captain David Beckham sprinkled some stardust on a city that once sculpted a life-size chocolate statue in his image when he appeared at half-time at a public viewing event.
“You beauty!” screamed Ken Adachi, a 36-year-old computer salesman, almost falling off his stool in a Tokyo sports bar when Yuya Osako scored Japan’s second goal against 10-man Colombia.
“I didn’t think we had much of a chance against a team from South America,” admitted Adachi after the final whistle sounded a little before 11 p.m. local time. “Revenge is sweet though.”
Thrashed 4-1 by Colombia at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Japan’s unexpected victory came courtesy of a header from Osako after Juan Quintero’s clever free kick had cancelled out Shinji Kagawa’s early penalty in Saransk.
