Japan faced Brazil in an international friendly at the National Stadium in Singapore on Saturday, Nov. 14, drawing large numbers of supporters to the venue zaobao.com.sg reported.
The match marked a rematch of their June meeting at the World Cup 32-round, where Brazil secured a 2 to 1 victory zaobao.com.sg reported.
Many spectators watched their national team play live for the first time zaobao.com.sg reported.
Shinji Oda and Family Spend over $1,000 on Tickets
Shinji Oda, a commodity trader who moved from Tokyo to Singapore for work four years ago, attended the game with his wife and three children zaobao.com.sg reported.
The family of five wore Japan jerseys and painted the Japanese flag on their faces zaobao.com.sg reported.
“It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Shinji Oda told zaobao.com.sg, noting that he spent more than $1,000 on tickets.
Tickets proved easier to purchase in Singapore than in Japan zaobao.com.sg reported.
His 11-year-old son, Yuma Oda, plays midfielder and winger at a local football academy zaobao.com.sg reported.
“It is a very difficult match, both teams are very strong and their defense is also very good, like Brazil has Gabriel and Japan has Itakura, it is a very exciting match for both teams,” Yuma Oda told zaobao.com.sg.
“I want to be a football player, learn how they play, they are both football powerhouses, I want to look up to them and become better,” Yuma Oda told zaobao.com.sg.
Birthday Celebrations in the Stands
Takumi Nishikubo, a 27-year-old human resources consultant in Singapore, attended his first live Japan match with his girlfriend, Moga Takeuchi zaobao.com.sg reported.
The couple used the fixture to celebrate Takeuchi’s 26th birthday, which fell on Friday, Nov. 13 zaobao.com.sg reported.
“She likes football because of me, I am an Arsenal fan, we watched every match, so she also likes football and understands the rules… we plan to watch more matches in the future,” Takumi Nishikubo told zaobao.com.sg.
Brazil Introduces Younger Players After World Cup Exit
Richard, a 38-year-old flight attendant born in Brazil with dual nationality who lives in New Zealand, attended the match while visiting Singapore for work zaobao.com.sg reported.
Brazil exited the recent World Cup in the round of 16, marking the team’s worst performance since 1990, and has introduced younger players for the new cycle zaobao.com.sg reported.
“Brazil football has experienced highs and lows, now they need to show their determination to Brazilians,” Richard told zaobao.com.sg.
“Therefore we need to show the world that we can beat Japan, to prepare for the next World Cup and the matches before that,” Richard told zaobao.com.sg.
“I still have 100 percent confidence in Brazil, we cannot lose confidence,” Richard told zaobao.com.sg.
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