FIFA FOOTBALL WORLD CUP QATAR 2022 - NEWS BLOG - UPDATE 28

 RECORD HIGH VIEWERSHIP DURING JAPAN VS SPAIN FOOTBALL MATCH

Giroud's 52 goals, the most in French history, make it into the last eight, surpassing Henry's record

The first round of the World Cup Qatar was held on 4 December (5 Japan hours), where defending champions France defeated Poland 3-1 to advance to the quarterfinals.

I won't let you say substitute anymore. Such is the performance of 36-year-old Giroud from France.

While one of the world's best forwards, Benzema, missed the tournament due to injury, he has lived up to expectations as a source of goals. In the first round of the playoffs, he set a new record for the most goals scored in French history.

It was just before the end of the first half when it looked like it was going to be scoreless. Mbappe received the ball outside the penalty area and the opposing defender came forward to make sure he didn't miss the space that was created. Giroud got out in front of goal, sensed the movement of the virtuoso goalkeeper Szczynsny, who tried to narrow the shot path in front of the goal, and pushed it with his left foot into the right-hand corner of the goal.

This goal was his 52nd goal for the national team and surpassed Henry's record of winning the 1998 World Cup in France. "I wasn't aware of when I was going to break the record, it was a great feeling and a memorable match," he said.

Just before the start of the season, Benzema, who won the Ballon d'Or for the first time in October, was ruled out and Giroud had his chance. In the first match of the first round against Australia, he scored two goals to lead the team to a come-from-behind victory.

He made his debut for the national team in 2011 at the age of 25 and won his third World Cup. In the last World Cup in Russia, where he won the championship, he played all seven matches and did not score a goal, and was criticized as a striker. While all eyes will continue to be on the 23-year-old Mbappe, who broke out in that tournament, he will show his presence and aim to become the star of this tournament.

"Last World Cup" Lewandowski lost in the last 16 after scoring 2 goals in 4 games

Poland lost to defending champions France 3-1 in the first round of the World Cup Qatar on 4 June (5 Japan hours), missing out on a place in the last eight for the first time in 40 years since finishing third in Spain in 1982.

"It could be the last World Cup." The curtain has come down on the battle of the world's best striker, Poland's Lewandowski, who said so before the start of the season.

He also started against France. We saw that the opponents had a lot of time on the ball and were isolated. We pressed from high up to find a clue to the opportunity, but the goal was far away.

Just before the end of the game, we conceded a three-goal lead. Heaven did not forsake him. Awarded a penalty for a foul on the opponent's hand. He feints and shoots and is blocked by French guardian Lloris.

However, if the goalkeeper moved before the ball was kicked, the match was redrawn. The second time, he calmly reversed the ball and fed it to the left of the goal.

In his first World Cup in Russia, he went scoreless in three matches and the team was eliminated in the first round. For that reason, he had a strong desire to compete in this tournament, and when he scored his first World Cup goal, which he had dreamed of since childhood, in the first round match against Saudi Arabia, tears came to his eyes.

Two goals in four games were not as good as they had hoped, and they left the tournament in the round of 16. When the final whistle blew, the 34-year-old looked like he had done it. Deeply emotional, he walked around the field alone and waved to the supporters to show his gratitude.

ROBERT LEWANDOWSKY - POLISH FOOTBALL PLAYER

Average viewership in the second half of the World Cup match against Spain: Kanto 28.7%, Kansai 24.2%

Video Research found that the average household viewership in the second half of the match of the Soccer World Cup (World Cup), which was broadcast on Fuji TV in the early morning of the 2nd and Japan beat Spain to advance to the final tournament, was 28.7% in the Kanto region and 24.2% in the Kansai region. The highest ratings at the moment were 34.6% in Kanto and 29.5% in Kansai, recorded immediately after the end of the game, with high numbers of around 30% despite the early morning.

The game starts at 4 a.m. Japan hours. Japan took a 1-0 lead into the first half, but scored two goals in the second half to win the match. Since the video research survey will be treated as the next day after 5 a.m., the announcement date was divided into the first half of the year. In the first half of the game, which was announced on the 2nd, the average household viewership was 16.9% in Kanto and 14.5% in Kansai, and the highest instant viewership was 22.2% in Kanto and 19.5% in Kansai.

"Mitoma 1mm" judgment, Sony plays a role in contributing technology to VAR World Cup

The ball wasn't out. The Video Assistant Referee (VAR), which assisted in judging the play that was hailed as "one millimeter of the three" in the match between Japan and Spain at the World Cup in Qatar, uses technology from a Sony Group company. This system of supporting referees with video has been adopted in other sports, and it is likely to be used further.

In the second half of the match against Spain on 1 (Japan hour 2), MITOMA Kaoru stretched his legs near the goal line and connected the ball to create a comeback goal, and VAR confirmed that the ball remained slightly on the line, and the Japan was filled with joy.

Mitoma & Tanaka's "Saginuma Brothers" Excite at Alma Mater "Senpai who made their dreams come true, encouragement"

Kawasaki City Saginuma Elementary School, nicknamed the "Saginuma Brothers," attended by Japan national team players Kaoru Mitoma (25) and Ao Tanaka (24), is thrilled with the success of their seniors at the World Cup. The two continue to interact today, including a video message at the graduation ceremony held in March 2021. Principal Miyo Kobayashi says, "It is encouraging for the children to have people around them who have continued to work hard and have made their dreams come true."

Mitoma is one grade older than Tanaka, and both of them practiced hard at Saginuma SC, a soccer club based at the school. At Saginuma Elementary School, after the announcement of the World Cup Japan roster, a banner reading "From Saginuma to the World" was hung on the fence surrounding the school grounds. The jerseys of J1 Kawasaki Frontale, to which the two once belonged, and donated autographed colored paper are also displayed in the school.

In addition, in conjunction with the graduation ceremony in March '21, Saginuma Elementary asked the two to send a video message through Kawasaki Frontale to encourage children who were forced to live in a school life with many restrictions due to the new coronavirus epidemic. The two readily agreed, with Tanaka saying, "I can't play freely due to Corona, but I'll do my best to give a good report to everyone in Kawasaki City," and Mitoma said, "The important thing is to work hard every day."

After Tanaka scored the winning goal with an assist from Mitoma against Spain on the 2nd, one class of fourth-year students voluntarily posted a message of support for the final tournament. The two children have commented on their success, such as "The seniors were working hard" and "They are cool."

"Bravo again jersey" Rushing to buy a shirt before the World Cup match against Croatia

The match between Japan and Croatia in Qatar kicked off in the early morning of 6 September. "Bravo again". Tokyo, Shibuya, and other places where soccer fans gather were filled with anticipation and enthusiasm before the match.

Ahead of the match against Croatia, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department riot police were dispatched to the area around the scramble intersection in Shibuya on the 5th. Some supporters rush to buy jerseys for late-night spectators. Some restaurants in Center Street attracted customers to sell their in-store spectators.

"I want them to act calmly to prevent accidents that could undermine the success of the Japan national team, and the police will provide the necessary security." A senior Metropolitan Police officer said before the game: The security posture has been strengthened compared to the previous three matches.

At the soccer shop KAMO Shibuya near Shibuya Station, shoppers picked up jerseys and other items at the Japan national team corner on the evening of the 5th. Natsuki Nagakura (19), a first-year university student in Fujimino, Saitama Prefecture, watched the game at karaoke wearing a uniform she bought with a friend. "I thought I might lose in the qualifying round, but I came to buy it because he went through and I want to hear Nagatomo (Yuto) 'Bravo'."

According to a spokesperson for the management company, sales of related products are up compared to before the Games. During the tournament, the number of visitors to the store increased, and the headquarters staff also served customers at the store. A spokesperson said, "The stores still have enough jerseys in stock, and we hope that the Japan national team will continue to be excited."

While it was raining, there were signs at the entrances and exits of Center Gai that said "You can watch soccer" and "You can't lose! You can't miss it!" There was also a restaurant with a poster. At some stores, the staff appealed to passers-by on the street, saying, "You can watch soccer in the store, how about it?"