• Japanese Kangaroos - Unknown Nichigo

    Tokyo’s Strange Socceroos

    Japan has a strange affinity when it comes to using Australian animals for its advertising. A number of major Japanese corporations use koalas and roos to plug their products and services. One with a difference is Hayashi Corporation, a construction company with a history of over 100 years and based in suburban Tokyo. Hayashi Corporation’s Fuchu branch office entrance is adorned with photos of a family of cartoon kangaroos decked out in soccer gear, just like Australia’s national football team, the Socceroos. Japan’s next opponent in World Cup qualifying is Australia, but there’s no connection. What is interesting to note,…

  • Strine Sports

    いよいよ日豪対決!Bragging Rights at Stake as Samurai Blue Tackle Socceroos in World Cup Qualifier

    Fierce but friendly rivals Japan and Australia meet in an Asian Football Confederation Round Four World Cup qualifying match at Saitama Stadium 2002 near Tokyo on June 4. アジアサッカー連盟(AFC)ライバル国日本とオーストラリアがサッカー2014年ワールドカップ最終予選を今夜、6月4日、埼玉スタジアム2002で行なう。 Japan, currently top of Group B, need only to take a point from this match to qualify for Brazil 2014. 現在Bグループ首位である日本代表が引き分けでも来年ブラジルで行なうワールドカップ出場が決定となる。 Australia, in third place a point behind Jordan but with a game in hand, will be looking to take home at least one point, but will have its hands full against a team that has realistic hopes of reaching the latter rounds in South America next year. 一方、2位ヨルダンの1点差でありながら試合数が一つ少ないオーストラリア代表は、恐らく引き分けを狙うが日本代表に対してなかなか強さを見せることができないだろう。 Also at…