June 9th saw our local lads (Matsumoto Yamaga) take on arch-rivals Nagano in the Cup. Unfortunately the threatening weather kept the crowds away for this knock-out fixture, so the atmosphere at Alwin was a bit flat. For long periods the action on the pitch was also a bit muted.

As an English football fan I must admit to looking at the ‘organised’ fan clubs of Japanese sports askance. I just don’t get it. The banal chanting at baseball matches lacks any spontaneity (as does the ‘action’), and I feel the football version doesn’t add much colour either. Well, they do all wear the same ‘uniform’. Anyway, I had the chance to ask the main man of the Ultras (Italian version = hard-core neo nazis by all accounts), and ask him a few questions.
I found out he was rather shy, not local, a uni student. I wondered what he did in his free time & got the impression he probably sleeps with his team shirt on, and his scarf too. That’s OK. Tend to do the same thing myself. But cheer squad practice? Guffaws when I asked – but dead pan “Yes, of course”. Off season these guys head for a karaoke box to fine tune the terrace chants!
And that’s the problem. I didn’t get the feeling of any real passion for the game. For the ‘being there’ yes, and for a need to belong, certainly. I heard very little banter, and the Nagano fans (both of them!) were politely ignored. No raised voices when players crumpled under non-physical ‘contact’, questions asked of the ref, or anything much at all.

I also got the chance to interview one of the players, which I was really excited about. I’d kept an eye on him during the game & noticed the ball seemed to go around him a lot. Play did not seem to come back to him as the anchor I was expecting, being the nominated defensive midfielder. Distribution was short, rarely penetrating.
The interview went the same way as his game. I expected the lad to be pumped up after a last-gasp victory – a break away goal with a minute left on the clock in extra time, penalties looming. Did it feel particularly good to knock out Nagano? (“No, not really. They played well.”) Do you have a message for the foreign contingent who support you? (“I didn’t know foreigners supported us.”) As a professional sportsman, what dietary advice would you give kids? (“Eat all the food your parents lovingly cook.”) Who’s your favourite player? (“Gattuso”) Who wouldn’t you like to mark/change shirts with? (“Someone sweaty”) Will Yamaga make it into J-League?(“That’s the plan, play to the whistle, ask the gaffer…”) All in all, a bit underwhelming.

Cup tie excitement there was not; more of a day at the office. This fan is looking forward to seeing & hearing a bit of genuine passion.
All the photos from the day at