Vamos! This is Ken!
Vamos is "let's go" in Spanish. Some Japanese might be familiar with this expression as it is used in Japanese supporters songs.
Yesterday, in an Argentina seaside resort Mar del plata, we met the president of Boca Juniors FC and the mayor of Buenos Aires. Today, we also met another big name.
His name is Oscar Alfredo Ruggeri.
He used to play for Boca or River Plate.
During his career he represented his country in three World Cups, captaining Argentina in the final two games of the 1994 competition, after Diego Maradona was expelled from the tournament.
Ruggeri is one of the most successful defenders ever to come out of Argentina.
Why were there so many soccer people in Mar del Plata?
Because it is a seaside house for soccer fans!
Look at the number 12!
It indicates the number of supporters (12th players).
The facility is complete with a swimming pool, shower, and accommodation.
I wish this kind of facility were in Eno-Shima, which is one of the famous seaside resorts in Japan.
Inside the house, many soccer jersey, which has former notable soccer players' autographs on them, were displayed.
In addition, there are futsal field,too.
The scenery from a cafe located on top of the building.
The futsal field is just behind the swimming pool.
People gathered to watch former professionals playing.
It's rare for us normal people to kick the ball with famous people in my country, although entrance fee is required.
After that, we went to watch a game of Mal del Plata Cup, which commenced this year.
The game was the de facto final Estudiantes vs Boca Juniors FC!!
Estudiantes is the team that was edge pasted by FC Barcelona at the last FIFA Club World Cup last year.
Boca, on the other hand, has not had a good season for a while.
But they're very well known in Japan and still the best team in Argentina.
A Japanese soccer player Takahara used to play for them.
Anyway, the game was held in Mar del Plata as everyone came to here for holidays.
The tickets were for front seats. They cost 100 peso.
Since our host father was a big fan of Estudiantes, we're also rooting for them.
Atsushi with a couple supporting Estudiantes.
The stadium was used in 1978 World Cup and looked very old.
Many graffiti were on the wall of the stadium.
One of them looked Japanese characters.
It's outstanding, isn't it?
It's a pre season cup, so some seats were empty.
But the supporters of the two teams in back side of the both goals were so excited.
The use of warming flare gets the crowd excited.
What a huge flag for Boca!!
As for the game result, Estudiantes dominated the ball possession and beat Boca 4-1! That's just what I've expected the second best team in the world!
By the way, Veron had great presence in the game.
His every single passing was just impressing.
This game reminds me of other Argentina soccer players such as Messi or Maradona. My theory is that their stop-and-go moves is originated in the life style of South American people.
That is, the strikers from South America don't like hard-works like chasing the ball all the time during a game as Japanese strikers do.
But they never miss the crucial moment to score a goal.
I heard that Argentine tend to spend the half days of January on vacation in resorts.
Also, they change the lifestyle while they're in holidays. Everyone stay up late, including children.
I think they are good at changing their minds quickly.
In other words, they like "stop-and-go!"
We Japanese tend to work too much even in weekend.
That's why they have to worry about their jobs at all times.
It might result in making them sluggish in refreshing.
Our strong point is that we have stamina enough to work for long.
But, at the same time, we might be just wasting time.
This notion might help Japanese national team as well as Japanese society by any chance.
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