Football fans worldwide were stunned and amazed at Japan’s 2:1 upset victory against Germany, which hadn’t lost a World Cup game since 1978, when they were leading at halftime.
Japanese fans are making headlines for their tradition of cleaning up after every match, a practice that has garnered respect from others. One fan is also making headlines for his handwritten message to his boss, who allowed him to take a few weeks off to enjoy the tournament. The fan wrote, “Dear My BOSS Thank you For MY 2 WEEK OFF!”
The official FIFA World Cup account also made a shout-out to all the bosses out there.
“This Japan fan must have the best boss in the world,” wrote Twitter profile @ODDSbible.
“We all want these kinds of bosses,” added Facebook page Football World.
“I love how he went retro with a pen and ripped off paper like it was the 90s, and his country is like the tech capital of the world. Handwriting has a special precious form of value,” observed Facebook user Basil Armanazi.
The message itself has a deeper meaning, as it is usually frowned upon to take a vacation in Japan.
“This is only note-worthy because Japan has a toxic work culture of expecting staff to devote their lives to their companies. In most other developed countries, having 2 weeks’ holiday isn’t remarkable,” explained Facebook user Alex Rutland.
Meanwhile, others hoped that the fan’s two weeks would be extended based on how the team is playing thus far.
The World Cup Qatar Group E opener victory is one of, if not the biggest, win in Japan’s World Cup history, as the Samurai Blue team showcased excellent sportsmanship and strategy execution.
The joy and excitement were felt worldwide, especially in Japan, as fans posted their celebrations on social media. Many didn’t expect much from the team, making locals even more proud in the end.
Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida also extended his praise and said, “It was an amazing match in which (the Samurai Blue) managed to display the strength of the team and the individuals, as well as the excellent strategy of the coach. I think the entire country was filled with excitement over the magnificent win”.
Sports and entertainment companies in Tokyo trading, such as Mizuno and CyberAgent also saw a boost in shares on Thursday (Nov 24). /TISG