Japan:Endo 15,Okazaki 19
J League XI Miura 82
Japan stars face off for disaster victims(FIFA.com)
Japan internationals past and present battled head-on in Osaka today to raise funds for victims of the country's devastating earthquake and tsunami at an all-star football match.
Before a roaring sell-out crowd at the 47,000-capacity Nagai Stadium, Alberto Zaccheroni's Samurai Blue beat a J.League select side, including many former internationals, 2-1.
Gamba Osaka midfielder Yasuhito Endo opened the scoring with a free kick in the 15th minute and Stuggart striker Shinji Okazaki doubled the score five minutes later for the Samurai Blue. But Kazuyoshi Miura, the oldest J-League player at 44, pulled one back on 82 minutes when he took a headed pass from Marcus Tulio Tanaka in the box and slotted beyond substitute Samurai goalkeeper Masaaki Higashiguchi.
Believing in the power of football, we will play our heart out.
Japan captain Makoto Hasebe ahead of the game
"It was your support which gave us great power when we usually fought on the pitch," Japan captain and Wolfsburg midfielder Makoto Hasebe said as the players gathered on the pitch before a silent prayer and the 7.20pm (10.20am GMT) kick-off. "Now it is our turn to support you. Believing in the power of football, we will play our heart out," said the 27-year-old, one of the 12 players released by European clubs for the event.
The charity match, following the catastrophe which devastated the country's north-east coast, brought together the Samurai Blue for the first time since they lifted a record fourth AFC Asian Cup title in Qatar just two months ago.
It was held under floodlights as western Japan has been spared the rolling blackouts caused by damage to power facilities, including a nuclear plant some 580km (360 miles) north-east of Osaka. The J.League has shut down its regular season for five rounds until mid-April to save the electricity used to stage night matches.
Supporters, who paid up to 5,000 yen ($60) a head, chanted: "Nippon, Nippon." Banners read "Gambare (Hang on), Japan," "You'll Never Walk Alone" or "World Football Family, Arigato (Thank you)." Proceeds from the match will go to the disaster areas, according to the Japan Football Association.
World Football Family, Arigato (Thank you).
A banner held by fans at the game
Endo's 20-metre freekick came after CSKA Moscow midfielder Keisuke Honda was fouled by Kawasaki's Kengo Nakamura outside the box. Okazaki trapped a through pass and slotted past former international goalkeeper Seigo Narazaki.
Zaccheroni, who took over the Samurai Blue after they reached the last 16 at last year's FIFA World Cup™, and J.League manager Dragan Stojkovic, the Serbian manager of league champions Nagoya Grampus, made several substitutions. Stojkovic sent on Miura, the 1993 Asian Footballer of the Year, and former Celtic star Shunsuke Nakamura, 32, in the second half.
"Technically, it turned out to be a great, quality match with a plenty of quality players," said 57-year-old Zaccheroni, a former AC Milan boss. "For the J.League side, Miura scored a goal which symbolised his career and I'm pleased," he said. "I believe we could show what everybody in Japanese football can do as one."
Stojkovic, 46, said that the disaster victims must have realised "they were not alone. We are always with them." Prior to the match, supporters donated a total 15m yen ($184,000) while attending open practice sessions over three days.
User comments »
hussaria
30/03/2011 at 03:33
hussaria (Australia)
The World should stand by anyone, we're all family on a planet.
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swswsw1221
30/03/2011 at 02:41
swswsw1221 (China PR)
Best wishes for the country,they could do as well in the earthquake as they did in the AFC Cup 2011.
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takemako
30/03/2011 at 01:38
takemako (Japan)
Thankyou So much For world FoodBall Family! We're Never GiveUp!
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Nascar2410
29/03/2011 at 23:22
Nascar2410 (USA)
All of the best and hope you, (Japan), can get things back in place. Wishing you the best, from the United States!
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fanfanftball
29/03/2011 at 21:43
fanfanftball (Japan)
Thank you for all your support from around the world! How much it encouraged us...! I'm really happy to know that we, football fans can unite and help each other beyond countries. Thank you!
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Figospirit34
29/03/2011 at 19:46
Figospirit34 (USA)
Wish u the best Japan From USA
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Jake15243
29/03/2011 at 19:13
Jake15243 (Australia)
The world will always stand by Japan and assist in any way possible, you will always have the support of all Australians.
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abandon2010
29/03/2011 at 18:44
abandon2010 (Bangladesh)
Bangladeshi people always pray for Japanese friends and we support Japanese Football Team.
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klboy97
29/03/2011 at 17:24
klboy97 (Algeria)
Algeria are with you and will be with you forever :)
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chrischen20
29/03/2011 at 17:08
chrischen20 (USA)
Chinese fans pray for Japan.
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gamash
29/03/2011 at 17:00
gamash (Iran)
Hope all be fine
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SaeAriga
29/03/2011 at 16:30
SaeAriga (USA)
yey <3
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fajarmcxoem
29/03/2011 at 16:23
fajarmcxoem (Indonesia)
Big applause to Miura, 44 years old still can scores. Indonesia #prayforJapan
1 reply
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Pon_JAP
29/03/2011 at 15:58
Pon_JAP (Japan)
Thank FIFA and world for supporting Japan.
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kimi_face
29/03/2011 at 15:48
kimi_face (Chile)
Go Japan!!
1 reply
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FIFA公式サイトに大きく取りあげられたチャリティマッチの様子。読んでいるだけで泣けてくるね。ありがとう。世界のサッカーシーン、そして、サポーターたち。いつか立ち直ったときに恩返しをするからね。
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