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We number nearly 60 million people in France, and all of us are cheering for our team to retain the trophy that it earned four years ago. France has been lucky with the draw, and the team has gained a lot of experience. Look for us in the final in Yokohama on June 30. |
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Soccer is a big sport here and is followed by young and old of all walks of life. So everyone is excited as the national team, known as Bafana Bafana, prepares for the World Cup finals. In households, shopping malls, trains, taxis and mostly in the shebeens (pubs), the talks is of soccer. And the slogan is "Bafana Bafana siyaya e Japan-Korea" (Bafana Bafana, we are going to Japan/Korea). May the best team win. |
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China first entered a team in the World Cup qualifying rounds back in 1957. But not until 2001 did we earn a spot in the finals. So Chinese fans endured 44 years of frustration. And the entire nation erupted in euphoria at 36 minutes into the first half on October 7, when a Chinese goal ensured a trip to the finals for the first time. All eyes in China are on Japan and Korea as the kickoff nears. |
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The Brazilian national team goes to the World Cup finals this year in pursuit of its fifth championship. With motivation, union, courage and respect to our competitors, we will show to the world why we are the country of soccer. |
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The World Cup championship comes to Asia for the first time at 10 stadiums here in Korea and 10 in Japan. Mitsubishi Electric operates in Korea through seven subsidiaries, affiliates and agencies. All of us are cheering for a successful World Cup. And all of us wish the best to the national teams of both nations. Korea, fight on! Japan, fight on! |
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Reminder of Diversity
The World Cup reminds us how diverse this country is. A man in a Little Italy restaurant in New York promised a comeback by his nation, Italy, after the frustrating loss to Brazil in the 1994 World Cup final in the United States. A bus driver at Los Angeles International Airport boasted about his team, Cameroon. Recently, a young Croatian in Orlando, Florida, comforted me about Japan's performance in the 1998 World Cup against his team. Jun Asami |
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Our company soccer team, which was founded in 1961, consists of 21 players, including two Japanese colleagues. The team has been the most successful among Flensbürg's company sports teams! We wish the German national team great success during the World Championship 2002. |
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Ending
the Jinx
England beat Germany convincingly at the end of last year for the first time since our famous 1966 World Cup victory. With their new manager, England seem to have found a place among the top teams in the world. Many fans were disappointed to end up in a difficult bracket (the so-called Group of Death). But if we can beat Sweden in the first game in Saitama, then confidence will be riding high to avenge Maradonna's infamous Hand of God goal which helped put England out of the 1986 World Cup Finals. This year we feel could just be our year. Come on England!! Alastair Maclauchlan |
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Nearly
100 Million Cheering Voices
Most Mexican boys and growing numbers of girls learn to play soccer almost as soon as they learn to walk. Our nation has hosted two World Cups, in 1970 and 1986, and our national team is ninth in the FIFA rankings. Nearly 100 million Mexican fans--including all of us at the bank--will be cheering for our team to play exciting matches and reach the second round. The employees at
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From
sun to sun
Under the Italian summer sun, the thoughts of millions of fans will be in the Land of the Rising Sun, giving strength and encouragement to our team! Hoping for a Japan-Italy final: May the best team win! Mitsubishi Electric
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Unforgettable
I'll never forget the match between AS Rome and AC Milan four years ago in Rome's Stadio Olimpico. Before attending that game, I couldn't understand how people in Europe and Latin America could get so excited about kicking a ball around. Now, I've become a full-fledged fan. Forza Nippon!!! Hideaki Nagayo |
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Christophe Blandin Worms Services Maritimes (an NYK
Line agency)
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