Dreaming of Japan reaching the world cup trophy.

Como Estas! This is Ken!
It means "How are you?" and is an informal way.


We went to the Centenario Stadium, which was our main goal of our visiting Uruguay.
"Centenario" indicates the 100th anniversary as a nation.


Did you know that the first World Cup was held at this stadium?

The stadium was established in 1930 and is still working. LOL.

I'm very happy being in the ancient and honorable stadium, wearing the Samurai Blue jersey!!

Look! These are the newest models!

They've been presented in November 2009. As we were not in Japan at that time, one of the soccer shops SCUDETTO, thankfully, shipped them all the way down to this place. 

World Football Shop SCUDETTO

This shop is in front of Shin-Yokohama-eki Station. At this shop, not only jersey of Yokohama Marinos or the Japanese national team but also ones of other foreign countries' club or national teams are available. Furthermore, you can get vintage jersey of historical Japanese teams.

Look at the number "2010" made up by both of us.

Also, we're thankful to another company Tamakeri.com, who organizes events of futsal or beach soccer. Thank you very much.

Centenario Stadium can accommodate 80,000 people. 
It's seemingly a normal stadium.


But I found there is a moat behind the goal.

The blown-colored water. You'll be dead if you fall in there. 

It seems the moan is set to prevent excited supporters from rushing into the filed.


There is a museum inside the stadium.

The entrance fee is 370 peso.

By the way, do you know who won the first World Cup?


Surprisingly, it's Uruguay!

Uruguay won again in Brazil 1950.

Decades ago, Uruguay used to be a powerful country in terms both of economy and soccer.


The current head coach of South Africa is lamenting that they are in the same group as France or Uruguay, which are the former champions, in 2010 World Cup.

The ball used in 1930.

Also, the jersey or boots used at that time are displayed. 
They reminded me of the affluence of material needs of our modern society.
Kids in Japan will be given whatever they want.


When I was a child, I didn't know how to play goal keeper as it was the time I quit baseball to play soccer. So I used to play goal keeper with cotton work gloves.


After that, Uruguay won Copa America, which is corresponding to Asian Cup in Asia, many times.

This is the champion squad in Copa America 1995.

The jersey they're wearing looks like the ones worn by Thoko Gakuen High School Football Club, which I graduated from.

By the way, the Japanese national team was invited to Copa America in 1999 as a guest team. They are also to participate in 2011 at Argentina.

Back to the main story, I saw the world cup, too.

When I say the world cup, it refers to two cups. The first one is also known as Jules Rimet Cup, whose name had been used until the current model was created.

The left is the Jules Rimet cup. The other is the current world cup.

The world cup was taken when we visited FIFA headquarters in Switzerland. 

The Jules Rimet Trophy was replacement. The real one has been stolen in 1983, although Brazil was supposed to keep it in perpetuity after they won the World Cup for the third time in 1970.


I'm just wondering when the Japanese team reaches this trophy.





Follow us on Twitter!! 
http://twitter.com/2010Libero 


We appreciate if you would publicize our blog and Twitter within your circle of your soccer friends or acquaintances.