MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2014 At WCup, Japanese-Brazilians split allegiances SAO PAULO: Chants of “Nippon!” broke out in a Japanese team after the final whistle in their first integrated in samba schools,” he said. The cultural FAN FERVOR Japanese-Brazilian cultural center in Sao Paulo as 300 cup game. center is located in a Sao Paulo district called fans cheered on the Asian team in their World Cup Brazil is home to the world’s largest Japanese com- Liberdade, a neighborhood lined with red Japanese- game against Ivory Coast. For the large community of munity outside Japan, with some 1.8 million people style street lights, restaurants serving tempura and Brazilians of Japanese descent, it was time to put on of Japanese descent. About 60 percent live in Sao shops selling anime videos. The stores, however, are the Blue Samurai jersey for one night before switch- Paulo state. The first wave of Japanese migrants came mostly decorated with Brazilian flags for the World ing back to Brazil’s yellow and green. “I am rooting for to Brazil to flee poverty in their country and work in Cup and one of the hottest-selling items is Brazil’s a Brazil-Japan final,” said Ivo Tobioka, a 29-year-old the South American country’s coffee plantations team jersey. massage therapist who was wearing a T-shirt bearing under an agreement between the two governments. Still, for some in football it remains difficult to the picture of Japanese playmaker Keisuke Honda. Aware of the connection, five Japanese national team choose between Brazil and the country of their eld- But make no mistake. If his dream final in Rio de players taped a video message for the community, ers who arrived in the first wave of Japanese migra- Janeiro’s Maracana stadium comes true, he wouldn’t which was played before the game at the Brazilian tion in 1908. “I am divided, but I am more of a Brazil hesitate: “I would cheer for Brazil.” Society of Japanese Culture and Social Welfare. Team fan,” said Maria Cristina Igarachi, 30, an engineer who Just as Brazil’s Selecao is a symbol of national captain Makoto Hasebe said they were knew that wore a Japan jersey but had a Brazil scarf around identity, supporting the Blue Samurai is a way for they were the “second team” of Japanese-Brazilians resting on her shoulder. Claudio Kurita, director of Brazilians of Japanese descent to reconnect with and that their support “brings a great feeling.” the Japanese-Brazilian cultural center, said having their ancestors’ homeland. The crowd at the cultural Japan play in Brazil was a chance for migrants to feel center watched the game on a big screen in a room ‘Brazilianized’ closer to their ancient land. Some 3,000 Japanese- decorated with paper lanterns in the colors of Brazil Before kick-off, the marriage of both cultures was Brazilians went to watch the Blue Samurai practice and Japan. They roared and jumped from their on display as a taiko drums group performed tradi- outside Sao Paulo last weekend, he said. “Anything chairs when Honda opened the score against Ivory tional Japanese beats, followed by samba dancers. that brings the pioneers closer to Japan makes them Coast in late Saturday’s game in the northeastern The harmony director of the Aguia de Ouro samba happy,” said Kurita, who wore Hasebe’s number 17 city of Recife. They screeched in horror as the African school, Celso Mizukami, is third generation Japanese. jersey. “Even the elders who know nothing about team came back to win it 2-1, but they clapped the “Japanese-Brazilians are so ‘Brazilianized’ that they are football were very excited.”— AFP Adidas’ WCup Q&A for Messi Question: Whenever Argentina play, Argentina would love it if we could beat all eyes are on you. Is this the moment Brazil - it would be talked about forever. I that you and your teammates make your know the passion of our people, and they country a great football force again? have just as much love for football as the I hope so. I hope it’s the summer that Brazilians do, it is fantastic. We should have Argentina become champions. I know how a lot of fans in Brazil, too, so hopefully our much it would mean to every person back games can feel like home matches, even home. I’m going to Brazil because I want to though they aren’t. be a champion, and win the World Cup for my teammates, my family, my people. I will Question: Who did you enjoy watch- give 100%, I always do. But it is a team ing as a boy in the World Cup, do you game, it is not all about me. If the win does- have any vivid memories from past tour- n’t come, it won’t be because we haven’t naments? tried hard enough. We are motivated, we I always admired Pablo Aimar, he came are ready. from River and I followed him a lot, he was my favourite. To have played with him is Question: What did you learn from the something very special for me. I was very 2010 FIFA World Cup, where you crashed young, but I remember watching Diego out to a very good Germany side? Maradona in the 1994 World Cup. And That the most important thing is that when I was a little older, Zidane for France, the team be strong, that they be together, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Rivaldo for that they fight for each other. The tourna- Brazil.They are all superb players, ones that ment is very short, so one mistake and you you can learn from as a young player. can be on your way home. It was very disap- pointing losing to Germany, but they were How has your style of play changed? an excellent side on the day. They still are. Are you the same Leo Messi as you were We learned that you have to concentrate playing on the streets as a kid? hard, every moment. We are more focused My style has pretty much stayed the than ever on the job in hand this time same, I have played this way since I was a around. young boy. I have learned a lot and have evolved wherever I have been, and there Question: You’re often identified more was more technical work and ball work with Barcelona than Argentina, would when I came to Spain from Argentina, but I you like to change that this summer? have always tried to express myself in the Yes. I want to win for Argentina. I love same way. I have learned tactically too, but my club football and I love Barcelona, which when it’s just me and the ball, that’s when has been my home since I was 12, but I have I’m happiest - attacking. always felt strongly loyal to my country. I’ve never stopped being Argentine, and I’ve Question: How much of an honor is it never wanted to. I feel very proud of it. I being Argentina captain? want to be as successful for my country as I A huge honor, one of the biggest honors am for my club. The whole team want that. you can have as an Argentine. Alejandro Sabella has said it has helped my game, and Question: You face Bosnia, Iran and maybe it does get you thinking a little bit used 4-3-3. We have a lot of great players, so thing very special for me. But more impor- Nigeria in the group stages. Do you see more about what you can do for your team the side should score goals. Higuain, Sergio tantly, it would mean that Argentina are that as an easy group? and how you can help the side. I am enjoy- Aguero, Angel di Maria, Carlos Tevez, doing well. The team of the Golden Boot win- It’s very dangerous to think like that. ing it. EzequielLavezzi, Rodrigo Palacio, Javier ner usually makes it to the semi finals or fur- People may point to us as favourites for the Pastore, Erik Lamela, Ricky Alvarez. ther, and that is what we want. But I would group, and I guess we are, but the World Question: Does it affect how you act happily not score any goals and swap that for Cup is all about upsetting the odds. For two on the pitch very much? Question: You’re being hailed as the a World Cup! sides like Bosnia and Iran, to get to the Being the captain doesn’t distract me best in the world at 26. How much better World Cup is absolutely huge, a major from my natural game, which is to attack can you get over the next five years? Question: How do you prepare for a moment, and they are going to be very defenders. And off the pitch, I do the same I don’t think about trying to be the best. World Cup match?It there a different way hyped up, very excited. Every team that has things as ever with my teammates. As a per- Judge me when I retire, I think. I always look of approaching games? qualified has beaten good football teams son, I am the same with them. I am always forward, the things that have been won It is not different. I address it like I would on the way here, and they will be looking to available to help anyone who needs help already are in the past.