- Title: Japanese proud of rugby team after surprise victory against Ireland
- Date: 29th September 2019
- Summary: OITA STREET GIANT STATUE OF RUGBY PLAYERS (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) OITA RUGBY INFORMATION OFFICE STAFF, SATOMI KUWATSUKA, SAYING: "I didn't think Japan is a country that is strong in rugby - Ireland is a country that is high in world rankings so I was really surprised to hear that Japan had won" (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) LOCAL RESIDENT, MICHIAKI UMEDA, SAYING: "The strength of the team as a team is the strongest of all the participating teams. I think the Japanese team knows very well what it needs to do in order to win against physically stronger, foreign teams." (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) JAPANESE TOURIST FROM YOKOHAMA, KENJI SHINTO, SAYING: "We can say it was luck, but, but by winning, I hope that it will encourage the rest of Japan as well"
- Embargoed: 13th October 2019 04:29
- Keywords: Rugby World Cup Japan Ireland Japan 2019
- Location: TOKYO, BEPPU, OITA, JAPAN
- City: TOKYO, BEPPU, OITA, JAPAN
- Country: Japan
- Topics: Rugby Union,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA003AYPM2QH
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: It was real catharsis for Japanese rugby fans when the final whistle finally came on Saturday (September 28).
No one had expected the host country's team to beat Ireland, one of the top teams in the world.
In Tokyo, a pub packed with an ecstatic crowd cheered as the match ended. The Brave Blossoms had won their second game of the tournament.
In Beppu, situated on the southern Island of Kyushu, a crowd of all ages had gathered at a small fan zone to watch a game full of suspense.
Japan produced arguably the second biggest World Cup upset on Saturday by beating Ireland 19-12 at Shizuoka Stadium, opening up Pool A and producing potential quarter-final ramifications for New Zealand and South Africa as well.
This win is expected to galvanise Japanese supporters.
(Production: Tim Kelly, Lucien Libert, Masako Iijima) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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