Masaaki Hayashi
Doha: When the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 gets underway on November 20, it will only be the second time the tournament has been held in Asia.
Twenty years ago, co-hosts Japan and the Republic of Korea became the first Asian countries to stage international football’s showpiece event.
And this year, in Qatar, Asian pride will be shared again, with Japanese fans ready to celebrate the beautiful game with supporters from across the globe.
Ready to welcome Samurai Blue fans to Qatar is Lusail resident Masaaki Hayashi. The 38-year-old, originally from Kawasaki, has lived in Qatar for the last three years working as a senior analyst in the oil and gas industry. Masaaki is looking forward to welcoming fans from the Land of the Rising Sun, as Qatar stages the first World Cup in the Middle East and Arab world.
Hayashi said Japanese fans are thrilled as Qatar will be hosting the tournament. “They are very proud, as this is a special opportunity. Being a Japanese fan in Qatar, I’m really proud that I will be able to be part of this World Cup and see it first-hand. For all Japanese, I think this is one of the major events of the year.”
“Football was already a popular sport in Japan back in 2002, but hosting the World Cup further boosted its popularity, especially among young people. During my time in Qatar, I find local people support football in general, so I see similar positive impacts taking place here, as it did back in Japan two decades ago.”
He also advised Japanese football fans coming to Qatar to search online and learn about the cultural difference. “My general advice is to do your research – it is important to gather as much information as possible.”
On the expectations of fans in the tournament, he said: “I think most fans expect us to get through the group. Unfortunately, people say that Japan is in a group of death because we have Germany and Spain in it, but I personally hope that Japan could at least be the second-placed team and move forward to the next stage.”
Japan’s group matches will take place at Khalifa International Stadium and Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium.
Hayashi said visiting the stadiums is one of the exciting things that he is looking forward to. “Just to see how different they are as structures and how close to the pitch we will be from the stands. I’m also looking forward to the atmospheres we will experience during the Japan games.”
This World Cup is Japan’s seven straight appearance in the tournament. Hayashi hoped that the Samurai Blue will get through the group stage and get to the round of 16.
“After that, I would expect there is going to be some really tough games in the knockout stages. I hope to see more wins and more goals, come that stage of the competition.”
“Even though Japan doesn’t have a superstar player, they play well as a team. While that possibility is not really high, I’m hoping Japan can improve on their previous performances and make it further in a World Cup,” he concluded.
