Despite Japan moving its game against New Zealand from Tokyo, which is a couple of hundred KM from Fukushima to Osaka, which is much, much further away, New Zealand opted to pull out of their matchup with Japan. Despite Osaka having its own airport, and being totally unaffected by everything going on WAY up north in the Tohoku region.
Japan wanted to turn the match into a charity match, and despite many banners, and teams declaring the football family as one, it seems like as far as New Zealand is concerned, it is one. Just dont ask me to play in your house! The one time when Japan NEEDED something like this, and New Zealand bail. Despite the game being moved from Tokyo (which is safe) to Osaka (which is safe).
Ah well.
the JFA decided not to let the match go to waste, and turned it into a charity match, with the Japan national team facing off against a J League All star team.
The national team featured many of the stars of Japanese football, Yasuhito Endo, Keisuke Honda, Nagatomo, and Okazaki. The J League team featured many of the leagues top stars, including former Japan national players like Shunsuke Nakamura, Seigo Narazaki, and the likes of Tulio, who has not given up getting back IN to the national team. However, one of the biggest stars was Kazuyoshi Miura (Kazu) who has just dropped to J-2, at the tender young age of 44!
The game itself was not a full-on blood and thunder affair, but it was played with a decent level of intensity, and not surprisingly, Japan had the upper hand against a scratch team that had been formed just a week prior to the game. Even though a lot of the players came from the same teams, it still takes time to get a new bunch of players used to each other, and a new manager.
Before the game, the fans got the chance to donate yet more money and meet some of their heroes outside the stadium on their way in.
Japan opened the scoring with a wonderfully taken free kick from the edge of the box when Endo curled the ball in at the near post.
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In celebration, the Japan national team raced off to their dugout, removing their armbands, and raising them in the air in salute to the deceased, and those still suffering in Tohoku. A touching moment.
Japan doubled their lead 5 minutes later when Shinji Okazaki was played through to chip the keeper.
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The game stayed that way until the 82nd minute, when Kazu, who had come on at half time to monstrous applause, ran on to a through ball from Tulio, and slotted the ball home to pull one back for the J League team!
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Run through to the 52 seconds mark
The fans where then treated to one of his trademark dances! Not as sharp as it used to be, but at 44, the legs just aint what they where.
Overall, a fun game on the field, full of significance allowing the Japanese a chance to show that the whole nation was supporting Tohoku. It was not lost on those in the shelters, who crowded round TV's to watch, and read those messages of support.
Flags and banners where waved hoping for prayers for Japan, wishing Tohoku good luck, and thanking the international community for its support (apart from New Zealand!). In all, the match was kind of incidental. But it was good to have. Try to get life back to normal, despite all that is going on.
And from me...
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