Chapter 9: We're singing for Nippon! (2006 World Cup)

For having such a mediocre team, the Japanese are REALLY into the World Cup. Like, friggin hardcore. Every game is televised, with extensive coverage, and whenever Japan plays, the entire nation shuts down and parties. It's so much fun! I wish the people in the US got into the World Cup like this. US has a much stronger team than Japan, but nowhere near the support. Everything is so exciting around here these days. I love it.

Anyways, the big game was last night. Japan and Australia. Neither team is especially good, but it's a big rivalry. Especially around these parts, since I work with so many Australians. I went to a mostly Japanese bar, with some minow Australian support there. I decided to forego the Aussie bar...but yes, for those of you who watched the game, it was absolutely heartbreaking. Japan had the lead for the majority of the game, 1-0. But then gave up 3 unanswered goals to the Aussies. People were crying in the streets. Today, the entire nation is depressed. Tokyo is so quiet.

Afterwards was the US/Czech Republic game. There are not many Americans around here, most of the foreigners seemed to be from Australia or Scotland. But my roomie Paul and I were psyched for the game, despite the fact that they were taking on the powerhouse Czech Republic team. And yeah, the Czech's mauled the Americans 3-0, and it could have been worse. The US can still make it out of the pool, but they will have to take out the Italians, and that's easier said than done. I, on the other hand, have a lot of money riding on the Czech Republic. They are my pick to win it.