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 –<\/b>
\nBars 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.
\u00ab\u00a0You beauty!\u00a0\u00bb 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.
\u00ab\u00a0I didn’t think we had much of a chance against a team from South America,\u00a0\u00bb admitted Adachi after the final whistle sounded a little before 11 p.m. local time. \u00ab\u00a0Revenge is sweet though.\u00a0\u00bb
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.
\u00ab\u00a0That was so amazing,\u00a0\u00bb squealed 21-year-old student Kaori Hagino, her nails painted red and white in the colours of Japan’s national flag.
\u00ab\u00a0Maybe now we can get to the final,\u00a0\u00bb she added hopefully, downing a gin and tonic. \u00ab\u00a0Anyway I’ll have a few more drinks tonight to celebrate.\u00a0\u00bb
Hundreds of fans wearing blue Japan shirts spilled out onto the iconic scramble crossing in Tokyo’s trendy Shibuya district to chant soccer songs as the revelry continued. As many over-exuberant supporters weaved in and out of cars, police perched on vans with loudspeakers politely urged them to obey the traffic lights.
Few of those watching on giant screens in a bar close by cared that Colombia had been reduced to 10 men after just three minutes for a handball by Carlos Sanchez.
\u00ab\u00a0We were rubbish in Brazil four years ago — quick exit, nothing to cheer about,\u00a0\u00bb slurred 33-year-old interior designer Makoto Kawakami, his Japan shirt soaked in beer. \u00ab\u00a0We’ll take the three points, however they come.\u00a0\u00bb
One or two fans sounded a note of caution through the alcoholic haze of euphoria. \u00ab\u00a0We still have to play Senegal and then Poland so it will still be difficult,\u00a0\u00bb nodded law student Taka Iwasaki, 19. \u00ab\u00a0But maybe now we have a chance of getting to the last 16.\u00a0\u00bb
Several fans also paid tribute to the victims of a powerful earthquake that hit Osaka on Monday, leaving five dead and 370 injured.
\u00ab\u00a0I’m sure the players had the victims in their minds,\u00a0\u00bb said 38-year-old aesthetician Mari Takada. \u00ab\u00a0Hopefully they can provide a little comfort to those poor people.\u00a0\u00bb<\/p>\n