Two weeks until the FIFA World Cup SAMURAI BLUE Farewell Ceremony (Video included)
On May 30, the Japan Football Association held a send-off ceremony for the Japanese national team (SAMURAI BLUE), participating in the FIFA World Cup Russia, at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama.
The ceremony followed the Kirin Challenge Cup 2018 match against Ghana.
Despite the unfortunate rain, many spectators remained in the stands awaiting the ceremony's start.
When the musical unit Ukasukaji, featuring Kazutoshi Sakurai of Mr.Children and GAKU-MC, took the stage and began performing the Japan national team's support song "Victory Smile with You," a massive support flag, large enough to completely cover the pitch, was unfurled on the field.
The flag bore messages of support for the national team from soccer fans across Japan.
Head Coach Akira Nishino expressed his gratitude to the spectators who supported the team until the very end, stating, "We fought with the determination that we absolutely had to win today's match, but unfortunately, it ended in a disappointing result. In Russia, we will definitely play good games and strive to meet everyone's expectations."
Captain Makoto Hasebe expressed his determination: "We are truly grateful for everyone's support in such inclement weather. We will fight with a strong spirit at the World Cup."
When both men received bouquets from Nadeshiko Japan head coach Asako Takakura and player Ayaka Yamashita, smiles broke through their previously stern expressions.
At the end of the ceremony, all players and staff members made a lap around the stands, acknowledging the cheers from the spectators.
Although the Kirin Challenge Cup international friendly match ended in a 0-2 loss to Ghana, the live broadcast on the TV Asahi network recorded a high average viewership rating of 18.3% (Kanto region, according to Video Research Ltd.).
The send-off ceremony was exclusively live-streamed on JFATV ( http://www.jfa.jp/jfa_tv/ ).
The following day, the 31st, Coach Nishino announced the final 23-man roster for the Russia tournament. From the 26 players called up for the Ghana match, he dropped Kento Misao (Kashima Antlers), Yosuke Ideguchi (Cultural Leonesa), and Takuma Asano (Hannover 96).
Japan, appearing in its sixth consecutive World Cup, will face Colombia, Senegal, and Poland in the group stage.
Related article:Japan Commercial Broadcasters Association Announces Soccer World Cup Broadcast Schedule[May 15, 2018]
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