Revenge match against Paraguay!!

Hello, guys.
It's been a long time!

Finally, the head coach of Japanese national team has been chosen!
His name is Alberto Zaccheloni.

It's Zac Japan! I like the way it souds.

Anyway, people will see Zac's first tact on 4th September, the game against Paraguay, who defeated us in South Africa two months ago.

The game report can be seen here.

Listen, on 4th Sep, I am planning to sell books "How the world view JAPAN?", which I wrote after the round the world journey, at a stall on the way to Nissan Stadium where the game is to be held.

We Libero have published two books.
This is one of them titled "Football Unites the World."

Another one is called "How the world view JAPAN?", as I mentioned before.

If you can pick up some japanese, please get one of those!

By the way, the location of the selling is as follows.

Of course, I have gotton an official perission to use here.

You will see me wearing Samurai Armor with my friends.

Also, I'll give you an autograph on the spot  if you buy one.
The trading hours should be within 3:00pm to 6:30 pm.

I will servise you cold drinks or something as it's gonna be hot.

I'm really looking fowrward to seeing lots of fans.
I don't care if you would get the book or not.

Unfortunatelly, a typhoo is coming up.
I don't want to ruin the books under the weather.

So in the case of raining, I will wait for you at another location.
It will be at Scudetto. The location is here.

It's quite close to Shin Yokohama Station.

Then see you soon at Nissan Stadium!!

If you can't come to the game, you can still purchase books at:

Football Unites the World
http://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/ASIN/4575302260/amzonassoc-22/



How the world view Japan?
http://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/ASIN/4766710959/amzonassoc-22/


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

It would be great if you could publicize our blog and Twitter within your circle of your soccer friends or acquaintances.

World Cup Dreams

During the World Cup, the radio program “Chronos” on Tokyo FM featured us dozens of times, so upon our return to Tokyo, we had a chance to go out to dinner with the “Chronos” staff.

Here we are with Tetsuo Nakanishi (former Japan National team player and currently Special Appointed Board Member of the Japan Football Association) and TFM radio personality Ryoko Koga.

As we were having talking about soccer during dinner, Tetsuo told us:

“My dream is to see the Japan National Team win the World Cup during my lifetime”

Wow! Same dream as mine!

Anyone who loves soccer seems to have the same dream.

 Even though we are in different positions, our dreams and goals are the same, so I hope that we can collaborate on some projects in the future.

I want to contribute to the Japan National Team in some way, from a supporter’s standpoint.

I’m sure I’ll plan my future years so that I can be in the same place as the Japan National Team is when they play their international matches.

(In the near future, Asia Cup in Qatar in Jan. 2011 and Copa America in Argentina in July 2011 are coming up).

I’d really like to cut off my contract and just go to the stadiums where Japan National Team is.

I’d also like to go to Europe after the Asia Cup to see several of the Japan National Team players who play in the pro leagues there.

I am not planning anything as huge as the “Football Unites the World” trip, but I hope to continue reporting and sharing experiences on this blog about soccer from a supporter’s point-of-view.
In the last entry, I wrote some things that sounded like I wanted to stop living my life with constant missions to accomplish, that I want to discover something in average daily life live for, and learn how to live tranquilly.

But now, 10 days later, after talking to someone like Tetsuo Nakanishi who is so passionate about soccer, I’ve begun to go back to my old ways and set a new goal.

Seems I can’t stop always having new ideas and goals in the working.

However, I don’t have a plan as huge as “Football Unites the World”, so depending on how my consulting project goes in September, (is it just an excuse?) I might not be able to go to the Asia Cup.

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

It would be great if you could publicize our blog and Twitter within your circle of your soccer friends or acquaintances.

Come to Libero cafe’s “Public Morning” for Japan vs. Denmark match!!!

Hi, this is Ken.

Every team has already had two games in each group tournament. 


From now on, it will get a lot harder for each team, as the third game will decide their fate: a winner or loser, heaven or hell. 


Some teams can still keep playing; others have to go.

At the same time, start time are changed. No games will kick off at 20:30 (Japan time) like that game of Japan against Netherland. 


It will be either 23:00 or 3:30 a.m.

At Libero Cafe, supporters are excited!

I guess people in Japan are really looking forward to the match, Japan vs. Denmark, but it kicks off at 3:30 a.m. and finishes at 5:30 in the morning…

I know it’s difficult to go out to see the game at that late time on weekday.

There would be only few bars open until that time, and even if there are, you have to think about how to get there, how to get back home. 


You don’t like being forced to leave a bar at 5:30 in the early morning.

But, the game against Denmark is very important, as it decides whether Japan will advance to the final 16. 


Samurai Japan will play with the Japanese spirit, Yamato-Damashii.

In South Africa, I’ve heard a supporters’ voice: “We do want to get together to cheer for Samurai Japan, but it’s going to be a problem to scream with excitement very early in the morning at someone’s place”

OK…

“Let’s do it!!!”

Libero Cafe in Toranomon will open until very late at night for the match, Japan vs. Denmark!!

The cafe has five big screens.

Furthermore, we’ve tied up with “Astil SHIMBAASHI”, making a special deal. Astil SHIMBAASHI is located seven-minute walk from the cafe and offers spa and sauna facilities.

Astil Shimbashi, the clean and comfortable place, will make you relaxed.

This hotel is in Toranomon, one of business areas in Tokyo, so taking advantage of this location, you can take a rest at Astil Shimbashi or Libero Cafe after the late-night game, and go to work in the morning. This is going to be a new soccer viewing style.

I name it “Public Morning”!!!

※Did you get it? It’s a play on words! Public Viewing and Public Morning…hahaha

Print out the image below, and bring it to Libero cafe to get it stamped; then you can get 20 % discount at astil Shimbashi!!

Print out this image and bring it to Libero Cafe.

You can get 20% discount on the total amount of charge.

These are just some examples, but look!!! You can use these plans at relatively low prices!!

Staying Course (18:00〜10:00) ¥4,700 ⇒ ¥3,760

Morning Course (4:00〜9:00) ¥2,000 ⇒ ¥1,600

Speed Course (60 minutes) ¥1,500 ⇒ ¥1,200

Well, now you don’t have to be bothered by thinking about your last train or where to go before and after the match, and can cheer for Samurai Japan at Libero Cafe without any concern!!

Not only Japanese but also non-Japanese who happen to be in Tokyo should take most of this great opportunity to enjoy the night!

※ Astill Shimbashi has a women-only entrance, so ladies can also stay at this secure and comfortable hotel.

※  Needless to say, you are welcome to stay at Libero Cafe and take a rest after the game.

A lot of supporters came to the cafe for the game, Japan vs. Netherland!

For booking and any inquiries, please contact below.

There are still some seats available!!

【Reservation and Inquiries】

〈Libero Cafe〉

Address: Yusei Fukushi Kotohira Bldg., 1st Floor, 1-14-1, Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Station: Tokyo Metro, Toranomon sta./ Tameike-sanno sta./ Kasumigaseki sta./ Uchisaiwaicho sta.

Tel: 03-6322-4786

Email: liberocafe2010@gmail.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/liberocafe

Opening hours: 11:00〜23:00 (can be subjected to variation), *opens from 21:00 on 11 June

※ The cafe will open when there is an important game such as Japanese one. Please contact the cafe for further information.

Capacity: about 130 seats

Entrance Fee:

 11:00〜18:00  ¥500

 18:00〜23:00  ¥1,000 ※ in the event of Japanese match, ¥2,000

※The cafe was introduced on Yahoo News!

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.

Let's get together at Libero Cafe !!

Hello, this is Ken.


Today, I'm glad to announce that "Libero Cafe" has been opened in Tokyo, Japan.

Libero cafe is a cafe where  any soccer fans get together to watch 2010 FIFA World Cup.


Also, they can speak to us over SKYPE while watching the games through July 11.

This is the front appearance. 

Libero Cafe is located within 1 min walking from the Toranomon station of Tokyo Metro.


It is so spacious and equipped with 5 large projectors.


Every single games will be on air.

Also, we are planning to host talk shows by inviting some celebrities.


You can enjoy the next-generation movie technology invented by Japan in order to appeal to 2022 FIFA World Cup bidding.


Of course, you can eat and drink.


If you are a big fan of us, you must check the track of "round-the-world journey" on a big screen. 


On top of this, we gonna sell our own book titled "Traveling Around the World to the 32 Countries in the World Cup.” and other soccer-related books.

The book is also available at Amazon.

Location: 1-14-1Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo and will be open daily 11am-11 pm. Entrance is ¥500 from 11am-6pm and ¥1,000 from 6pm until the end of the last game. For more information, call (03) 6322-4786.

Let me tell you one more thing before the wrap up.

You can purchase "Football Unites the World" T shirts, which are made for our charity activity.

If you are inconvenient with Japanese, just let me know.

I hope this could be the social place where not only Japanese but also foreigners get together and enjoy their soccer talks. 

It's something like a small World Cup for inter-cultural communication!

So bring your friends and visit Libero Cafe!!

See you there!

Ｗｅ paid a courtesy visit on JFA

안녕하세요? This is Ashishi！

"안녕하세요?" means "Hello" in Korean.

Now， I'm staying at my Korean friend's room．

Anyway, visiting football associations without appointment is one of our eye-catchers as you know.

Our first attempt was made on June in Uzbekistan.

We succeeded in getting a special info

at Uzbekistan Football Federation．

Second，we tried South African Football Association but in vain.

But we never give up.

And this time，on our brief return to Japan，

we visited JFA (Japan Football Association)．

But that's not definitely an officialｌy call ．

We met a staff of JFA at Confederations Cup 2009.

Then，we asked him to see each other in Japan．

So，we did it．

But we were not permitted to take photos & videos in JFA building．

They have severer regulations than UFF．

We had a great chat with him.

But most of the topics are confidential.

He gave us a message as in following;

"It's so interesting that you are planning to visit the 32 countries playing in the World Cup．Why don't you give us match reports on each country's domestic leagues via your blog．

I'm interested in the different stadiums designs or the way of supporters' cheer-style across countries.

I hope your traveling attracts the interests of many people in football．I'm counting on you．

By the way，please remember that you should be polite on your visit not to give them any bad impressionson Japan!!!

He strictly made it clear to us that we mustn't do so・・・．

We were talking with him for about one hour．

After that，we went to "Soccer Museum" which is in the same building with JFA．

I have been there once so far．

I recommend all supporters of our national team to visit there！

That's why you can watch edited games of our national team on huge screen and see a lot of displays regarding "2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan".

If you love football，you'll feel like you're dreaming more than a few hours．

There are exhibitions both toll and free．

However， you can only pay JPY 500 for toll exhibitions．

Pls enjoy the influx of pictures below as usual！

The successive uniforms of our national team are displayed．

The members of 2002 are forming a circle．

You can join it and take pictures with them！

This uniform imaged flame makes us feel nostalgic．

Many trophies of Fair Play Award are displayed．

A imitation of World Cup torphy is there．

In the official shop, you can get a T shirt

commemorating our nation's entry in 2010.

We both got it．

This T-shirt is available only at this shop because other shops have no stock now．

So， it's a good idea to come to Ocha-no-mizu only for the sake of this T-shirt，Ｉ guess．

At the end of our visit，we took a picture outside．

While we were traveling in other countries, we handed the following jersey to a person engaged in soccer business and asked him to get an autograph from Mr. Inugai, who is the boss of JFA.