Japan's soccer team fired up for Olympic opener against U.S.

Wednesday 06th August, 07:06 AM JST

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timtak at 11:01 AM JST - 6th August

Soccer (called football other than in US, Canada and Samoa) is the worlds most popular spectator sport. Boring to only those with attention span issues, Olympic soccer will be well supported here in Japan.

The Greek is or was Alexi Lalas, now retired, sometime pop musician and now manager of Los Angeles Galaxy.
Kijimuna at 11:17 AM JST - 6th August

ExPrinceska, I assume you're talking about that fiery god of gorgeous, Alexi Lalas. http://www.soccertimes.com/usteams/roster/men/lalas.htm

Unfortunately, he retired and now plays in a band while acting as president for Beck's team in LA.
Kijimuna at 11:18 AM JST - 6th August

Dammit timtak! Lightning draw there.
ExPrinceska at 12:15 PM JST - 6th August

Timtak and Kijimuna, thanks for the name of the US soccer player. Yes, exactly, Alexi Lalas!!! The name just could not come to me but I remember his play very well! Unfortunately he has retired... He was a real star, if the american team had a few more like him, they could be really successful. Great player this Lalas and great showmen on the playground!!!
taiko666 at 12:29 PM JST - 6th August

I'll be watching this FOOTBALL match (only countries with a history of NOT playing football call it 'soccer') tomorrow in the pub (I wish the date / time had been included in this article.) It sounds like a great occasion! My only worry is that all my Japanese friends will assume that I'll be supporting the USA... they all assumed I was supporting Australia in the big World Cup match a couple of years ago. In the absence of a GB team my support defaults to Japan, so I'll wear a Japan shirt and enjoy the bewilderment of my Japanese friends.
AlfGarnett at 12:32 PM JST - 6th August

Ere taiko666, youre right innit mate. The name of the game is football.

Cor blimey, i shoul know we invented it. I wish their was a GB team, we would wallop everyone. I hope Japan does well, if you dont win, dont worry just try your best, know what i mean?
taiko666 at 12:44 PM JST - 6th August

AlfGarnett> Bleedin' right mate. We invented it, so at least we should get to decide its name, even though we can't play it anymore! And not having a GB team is the price England, Scotland, Wales and N.I. have to pay for being able to field separate teams in other football competitions. I think a GB team would be tom tit mate, and wouldn't stand a chance... the GB rugby union and rugby league teams routinely get whipped. Anyway, ganbare Japan... although part of me hopes the USA does well in the competition as that would give a welcome boost to the MLS(sic) league, which is aleady on the up.
ExPrinceska at 01:06 PM JST - 6th August

Now that my two favourite sex symbols have retired - Lalas (USA) and Nakata (Japan) - I do not know whom I will support...I am very confused.
ChimpsAhead at 01:07 PM JST - 6th August

ExPrinceska; Have you ever considered support a team out of loyalty, rather than looks. seems lke a very shallow way to view this great sport.
ExPrinceska at 02:00 PM JST - 6th August

Have you ever considered support a team out of loyalty, rather than looks. seems lke a very shallow way to view this great sport.

I am neutral to both USA and Japan, and would like the best team to win. Sometines not the best team wins but let them show the best of the soccer game to us.
helloklitty at 02:36 PM JST - 6th August

Alright, it's soccer season again. I really get a kick out of it. I wish I could be in an English pub so I could scream "GOOOAAAALLLL" like that nutty Spanish guy every 45 seconds.

Remember American team: You are Americans and it is okay to suck.

Just make sure Brazil gets the gold. I don't want to see coffee prices go up.
thepossum at 05:00 PM JST - 6th August

Hellokitty ? Whats this all about, "Remember American team: You are Americans and it is okay to suck."

Says you ! We Americans say "hey we're the defending gold medal winners. Our womens team having won two gold and a silver in the past 3 Olympics"

In addition, the men have also actually finished second and third in the summer Olympics tournement. USA drawing Japan in both the mens and womens tournement should be fun !
Taka313 at 06:34 PM JST - 6th August

My son said he plans on rooting for Japan, unless they suck. In which case, he'll be cheering for the U.S.A., unless they suck as well. Then...all bets are off.

I guess you can add that to the list of reasons it's good to have dual citizenship.

Taka
kornholio at 08:28 PM JST - 6th August

I'm pulling for Freddy Adu and the US team!!
RomeoRamenII at 01:23 PM JST - 8th August

We are ... looking to play our brand of soccer and get three points,’’ said Sorimachi.

Oops!!

RR