I hope Japan team's success and received high praises have given a ray of hope and encouragement to the Japanese people, who have lost confidence lately.
At last this was final watching World Cup game for us.
I expected this game to be vigorous because Ireland also had quite a possibilities
of advance to the second round in spite of third place in the Group E before
this match.
If they win by two points and above, they can be through to the second
round in spite of result of another game.
| Results of Group E (as of June 6) | |||||||
| Team | Matches Played | Wins | Draws | Losses | Points | Goals for | Goals against |
| Germany | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 9 | 1 |
| Cameroon | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Ireland | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Saudi Arabia | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
Ireland got an early Robbie Keane strike what I had expected, and they
were verging on the second round.
After that, the Saudis hardly earned the support unlike the previous game
in Saitama.
The crowd gave a deafening roar toward Irish attacks.
Irish added two points into the second half, and they advanced to the second round.
Ironically the ranking in the Group E was decided by total goals for toward
the Saudis.
Unfortunately the Saudis went home eliminated, having taken zero points
and scoring no goals though "Japanese Cheering Supporters for the
Saudis" also had cheered them.
I hope you win next time!
I was delighted that Japanese cheering supporters in the World Cup games
surprised many foreign presses, and their behavior was highly praised.
I hope Japan team's success and received high praises have given a ray
of hope and encouragement to the Japanese people, who have lost confidence
lately.
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Ireland got an early Robbie Keane strike and second half goals from Gary Breen and Damien Duff to hold off Saudi Arabia and finish second in Group E. The result, along with Germany's defeat of Cameroon, means that the Germans and the Irish are through to the second round.
For the first time in their history, Ireland scored more than a single goal in a FIFA World Cup finals match. They will take on the Group B winner in Suwon, Korea feeling confident after drawing twice and winning their third match. The Saudis go home eliminated, having taken zero points and scoring no goals.
