'World Cup Fans' is a special SBS News series running in the lead up to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. It looks at the 32 qualifying countries through the eyes of their fans in Australia.
Japan and Australia are football rivals. Their rivalry deepened in 2006 when the Socceroos won their only World Cup final meeting. Tim Cahill scored twice and John Aloisi scored once in the final ten minutes of the match, beating Japan 3-1.
Australia’s move to the Asian confederation further raised the heat between the two countries and of the total 25 clashes, the Samurai Blue hold a slight head-to-head advantage. But in their latest clash, Japan secured passage into the FIFA World Cup finals in Russia after winning 2-0.
“It’s a good rival for us because they’re in the same Asian group,” Ryohei Fujita, a Japanese grassroots football coach, told SBS News.
“They have great skills, their tough and tall.
“Australians are a good rival for us.”
Japan celebrate scoring their second goal against Australia during the the FIFA World Cup Qualifier match. Source: Getty Images
Young footballers with Japanese flare
Ryohei Fujita assists Sollev FC head coach Takao Teramoto run a triweekly football academy in Sydney’s lower north shore.
Mr Teramoto has been in Australia for three years and while his focus is on teaching basic football skills, he also tries to encourage young players at the academy to embrace Japanese culture. His instructions are often a mix of his native tongue and English.
Takao Teramoto during a training session Source: SBS News
“I want to teach a more Japanese football style,” Teramoto told SBS News.
“Japanese football style is more based on speed, quick decision making. This is very important for the Japanese football style. But I like Australian football style as well, so I want to teach a mix."
“When they’re young this is very important to improve their skills."
Aiming for improvement at the World Cup
Japan's national team will be aiming for improvement at the World Cup in Russia in June. It will be their sixth appearance at football's showpiece tournament.
The furthest they have progressed is to the round of 16 in 2002 and 2010. In 2014 in Brazil, Samurai Blue failed to win a game and scored only two goals, while conceding six in three matches.
But this time Ryohei Fujita is hopeful that Japan will be able to progress beyond the group stages in Russia.
“I think they’ll do better, but it’ll be tough,” he said.
Takao Teramoto is also confident of a better result.
“A strong point is to unite, that is very important for Japan,” he said.
Japan has been drawn in Group H with Poland, Senegal and Colombia.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup begins 15 June. SBS will broadcast the biggest games, including the opening match, semi-finals and final, live, free and in HD.
