in article 1150873968.406512.278030@p79g2000cwp.googlegroups.com, Declan
Murphy at declan_murphy@hotmail.com wrote on 6/21/06 4:12 PM:

> Ernest Schaal wrote:
>> in article 1150819818.653427.52290@b68g2000cwa.googlegroups.com, Declan
>> Murphy at declan_murphy@hotmail.com wrote on 6/21/06 1:10 AM:
>> 
>>> 2) fj.life.in-japan is capable of making absolutely no references to
>>> the World Cup even after the 32 game mark.
>> 
>> What is there to say? Japan has almost NO chance. Japan has to beat Brazil
>> by two points, otherwise they are out of there. So far Japan has beaten no
>> one; Brazil is the overall favorite to win the cup, and yet TV commentators
>> seem to stress that it is still possible.
> 
> There is plenty to say. Such as how that Zico joker should have been
> sacked 6 months ago, or how Brasil isn't going to win the cup with a
> bunch of slow old aged pensioners (sans Kaka), or how amazing it is
> that any commentator would suggest Japan has a chance of reaching the
> round of 16 (howzat for a woof!).
> 
> Besides, there are 31 other teams in the tourney, a comp bigger than
> the Olympics, Rugby WC, Superbowl/SeppoSeries & zig zag beer boat races
> combined. When Japan and the USA bow out in the first round there will
> be cause around here for celebration for starters.

But does Japanese media really care about the World Cup if Japan is
scratched in the first round?