VOX POPULI: The beautiful game that teaches us patience

As far as soccer is concerned, I like the score 3-2. It would be even better if the team I am rooting for scores the first goal, loses the next two and turns the tables by winning two more goals to finish off the game.

In Italy and other countries known for their strong soccer defense, connoisseurs are said to value the score 1-0 as it requires the leading team to hold on to its single precious point to the end.

I guess it all depends on national characteristics. In the United States, for example, soccer was unpopular as a spectator sport for many years. Americans generally found it "boring" because so few goals are scored. And America is, after all, the birthplace of basketball, in which teams can often score around 100 points in a single game. A sport with a score of 0-0 could leave fans feeling frustrated rather than excited.

Japan's national squad defeated Cameroon 1-0 in its World Cup opening game, just the way that Italians prefer. Midfielder Daisuke Matsui, who appeared to be ready to kick the ball to the center with his right foot, quickly cross-kicked it with his left. Makeshift striker Keisuke Honda of Russia's CSKA Moscow reacted to the long cross in a flash, running behind the defense and calmly knocking the ball into the goal.

With his dyed blond hair and Osaka dialect, he talks big. Honda stands out among the rest of the Samurai Blue team, who tend to behave like model students.

But he proved he is a worthy contender with his goal, which won the game. Although soccer is a team sport, it all depends on the skills of individual players. I hope each player will give their all again next time.

Toward the end of the game, when the opponent's kick hit Japan's goal post, it brought back bitter memories. Injury time lasted four minutes.

As always, the clock's second hand ticked away at a snail's pace. The hoarse voice of head coach Takeshi Okada was heard talking about the narrow victory. Apparently, he constantly shouted at the top of his voice to be heard above the deafening blare of the fans' vuvuzela horns.

This is Japan's fourth World Cup and its first victory on foreign soil.

The game has taught us that patience pays. While the Netherlands and Denmark, the two remaining opponents in Group E, are both formidable, it makes a huge difference for Japan to compete against them with a chance to stay in the tournament as one of the 16 teams to make it to the next round.

It also means we will watch the remaining games in the first round with bated breath. Beyond that lies even more excitement.

--The Asahi Shimbun, June 16

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Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.