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 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, and 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, , doing well. The team of the Golden Boot win- It’s very dangerous to think like that. ing it. EzequielLavezzi, , 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. On to the next chal- for any match. Whether it’s the World Cup, get our scalp. And Nigeria are very danger- though. I remember senior players being lenge. But every single day I try to improve Champions League, Copa del Rey, I prepare ous. They are consistent performers at the great with me when I was young and coming myself. You can always improve parts of your for all games totally the same. Every game World Cup, and you get the feeling that one through for Argentina, so I try to be like that game. 100% perfect is not possible. Helping needs to be treated as a final, as the most year they might do really well. Yes, there are with them, too. That’s an important part of your team to win is always the most crucial important game of your career. harder groups out there, but it is not an captaincy. thing, rather than my individual performance. easy group. People mention my goals a lot but that is sec- Question: How do you manage your Question: How do you see Argentina ondary to winning games and winning com- time away from football? Question: How much would it mean to playing this summer, tactically? You have a petitions. My motivation is to wake up every I try not to change my lifestyle, I just want win for Argentina on Brazilian soil, would wealth of attacking talent... day happy, to be professional but to have fun. to be a normal guy. I am a normal guy, I just it make the victory that little bit sweeter? Alejandro Sabella is very good at varying play football, that’s all. With my family and I’d be lying to say that it wouldn’t be our play, and the way we qualified with a bit Question: Is the Golden Boot some- friends, I’m just Leo. That’s the way to keep very special. Brazil against Argentina in the of style should make us very confident. thing you’d like to add to your trophy cabi- your feet on the ground. I like to listen to final at the Maracana? That would be some Topping the South American group was an net? music, to watch some TV, talk to friends. It is dream, wouldn’t it? You can only imagine achievement. We have played 4-4-1-1 with Of course! I like to score goals, and if I the best way to stay rested and to be fresh for how much the people back home in me behind Gonzalo Higuain, and we have could get the Golden Boot, it would be some- each game. Syrian activists brave dangers; watch WCup

BEIRUT: Young Syrian opposition activists living with the ent team,” he laughed. Deep divisions within Syria’s opposi- the game underground, free from stress. You have chil- constant dangers of more than three years on war are brav- tion have plagued their revolt against President Bashar al- dren, young people, and even (rebel) Free Syrian Army ing bombardment by government forces and jihadists’ Assad’s government. “The atmosphere in these gatherings commanders,” said Omar Al-Jeblawi, an activist from threats to watch their favorite World Cup teams. In Raqa is fun and relaxed. It’s an opportunity to enjoy life, and to Latakia province. —AFP province, controlled by powerful jihadist group the Islamic forget our daily exhaustion,” he said. Moadamiyet al-Sham State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), one young activist and was once a rebel bastion, but after a suffocating year-long avid football fan risked the extremists’ anger to sneak out siege that starved civilians including children, the town’s to watch Spain play the Netherlands. rebels signed a truce with the government. But now the “Members of ISIL raided the cafeterias on the first day of World Cup has started, residents have decorated the town’s the World Cup, and forced the young people to go pray,” orchards and set up big screens, injecting new life into a said the activist who identified himself as Abu Ibrahim. town blighted by war, Abu Anas said. FIFA WORLD CUP “Football, they said, distracts the mind from worshipping Germany v Portugal 19:00 God. So I watched Friday evening’s match, Spain- ‘Wonders of the siege’ beIN SPORTS 1 HD Netherlands, at a friend’s house. We were worried they In the northwestern province of Idlib, where rebels have might raid us there, so we made sure not to make a sound been advancing despite regime air strikes, activist Ibrahim beIN SPORTS 2 HD even when there was a goal,” he said. al-Idelbi put on his Spain T-shirt and sipped the traditional beIN SPORTS 1 HD FR Abu Ibrahim, a Brazil fan, is one of the few in Raqa who yerba mate hot drink as he watched the game. “We try to beIN SPORTS 1 FR dares to communicate with the outside world about his find new things to do, anything that will help us forget Iran v Nigeria 22:00 opposition to ISIL, which has a reputation for abuses about the siege, bombardment and death,” he said. He beIN SPORTS 1 HD including summary executions and kidnappings. “They admitted he was a little sad when Spain lost, “but you beIN SPORTS 2 HD want everything to be sad and bleak. But I love life and I know, it’s just a game. As soon as the match was over, I just beIN SPORTS 13 HD love football,” Abu Ibrahim told AFP via the Internet.Abu went back to work.” Even in southern Damascus’ Palestinian beIN SPORTS 1 HD FR Ibrahim mocked Friday’s surprise loser Spain on his camp Yarmuk, under an army siege that has seen more Facebook page, comparing the Dutch 5-1 win to the light- than 100 people die from starvation in a year, people TOMORROW ning offensive launched by ISIL and other militants in Iraq. watched the games. Ghana v United States 1:01 “Holland took over Spain today just like ISIL invaded “Wonders of the siege: the (England-Italy) game is beIN SPORTS Iraq,” he joked. Abu Anas, a volunteer in a field hospital and being shown free of charge for all in the camp’s youth cen- beIN SPORTS 1 HD student living in Moadamiyet Al-Sham near Damascus, also tre, and I’m on my way there!” one activist in Yarmuk said beIN SPORTS 2 HD follows the tournament religiously. “Six of us gathered at on Facebook. Meanwhile in rebel areas of Latakia on the beIN SPORTS 1 HD FR my house to watch the Spain-Netherlands match. But just Mediterranean coast, people huddled around TV screens in beIN SPORTS 1 FR like the Syrian revolution itself, each of us supports a differ- underground shelters. “It makes people feel safe to watch