Coach Alberto Zaccheroni returns home to Italy

Coach Alberto Zaccheroni  (Japan Soccer representative) returned to his home country Italy today (July 1, 2014)

In his interview before leaving Japan, he conveyed his frank feelings.

“I really had a very good relation with the organization, the team and the players, and I say this with frank feeling. You can understand this by seeing the warm reception by all these supporters, and as we have created a very good relation, somehow I have a strongly feeling of loneliness. I think that the memories of these 4 years in Japan would firmly stay in my heart. I really thank you all for having a wonderful time for all these four years spent together. I feel that you have given me more than what I have given you.”
Then he said in Japanese language “Ganbarimashou” (Meaning: Let us work hard). "

Question: Do you have any plans to coach a team in future?

I will take rest for some time, and would like to take full rest. I would go back to my family and spend some time, and yet I have not exhausted all my passion to soccer here. Initially, I will take rest, and there is a possibility that I may do some activity. It is difficult to think the next immediately after dealing with such a wonderful 4 years, and such a wonderful team. It is very difficult to move to new reality after having such a reality. I think that it would not be honest to say more than this, and with that, of course I still have an option of “Retirement”.

Question: Finally, do you have any message to the people of Japan?

“Even after returning to my home country, the supporters and citizens greeted with warm welcome. They dealt with me as if we really won the World Cup. I personally feel that every day in these four years, the people who I come across the streets, and those in the stadium, the supporters gave us a lot of support, and I really feel receiving a lot of energy from them. The supporters wished to convey their emotions of the coach, and I wish to convey to those supporters would stay in the heart of the coach eternally.”

Those who worked hard for Japan would return to the home country with only good memories.

The result of the World Cup was not good, but I feel very proud about the Japanese who accepted their coach warmly until the end.

You have all put your best efforts. Thanks.

Most popular Japan representative of Soccer

The Soccer World Cup has finally started

Who is the most popular player among the Japan representatives of Soccer?
It is “Ucha” having many young girl fans!

Atsuto Uchida was born on March 27, 1988.

The participants of “Atsuto Uchida Schalke 04 official support tour” on February 26, 2011 belonging to the Bundesliga Schalke 04 came running, the popularity is such that the 90 persons of the total 95 persons were women, and the colleagues made a fun of him as “Japan’s Beckham”.

He is so popular that the women told him with bitter smile, “We had a wrong information that you are working as a model in your team in Japan”. When seeing from the Germans point of view he was rather childish and cute rather than saying as attractive.

The offensive ability is right side back. He is distinguished as he is young, and has accomplished the debut as the Japanese representative in his teens.
He participated in the Asian preliminary contest of the South African World Cup as regular, and it contributed to this tournament performance, but he was unable to appear in the main stage due to the changes in the team policy and poor health condition.
However, his talent was later recognized and transferred to Schalke 04.

He won the regular seat with the champion club of Germany, and is now an indispensable player.

Yoshito Ohkubo - World Cup Japanese representative

The 23 players who will attended World Cup Brazilian tournament that will start in June was announced.

Initially it was thought that the supervisor Zaccheroni the leading member of Japanese representative was called, and there was no election of the members who were not called recently.

The forward player Yohito Ohkubo (31 years), being the top scorer with 26 points in the last season of J league and even in this season he has scored 8 points the maximum by Japanese in the J1, was selected by surprise.

In the year 2013, moved to Kawasaki Frontale, took the position of front line, and achieved 26 points and the goal in the season.

In 2013 he also acquired the first top scorer. He had the motivation power from the will of his deceased father, though the best condition led to this election. His father Katsuhiro was dead on May 12, 2013.
 
The words “Become the Japanese representative once again” in the farewell note cheered up Ohkubo.
He said that his feeling to become the Japanese representative again became strong by the farewell note of his father “Become the Japanese representative”. He also said, “It was just a piece of paper, but it revived my aspiration and enthusiasm. This was the last treasure that my father left in this world.”

He was not called in the representative training camp in September and for the Europe tour in October and November, though he kept continuing to making goal in the 2013 season after his the death of his father. Ohkubo motivated himself as “Then I have to decide further goals”.
He was still not called for the representation from Japan led by Zaccheroni, and 
Was looking for the day.
His father died on 12th May last year, and the representative election was held on the death anniversary of his father was like a message from his father. I would like to expect Ohkubo to lead towards the victory of the Japanese representation, and perhaps he would have the blessings of his father from the heaven.

The dream of becoming the Japanese representation was given up once
The death of his father and the words “Become the Japanese representative once again” in the farewell note.
He made goals with the farewell note, and the appeal for the return of Japanese representative.
Then the election win on the date exactly one year after the death of his father.
Entered the member of World Cup representative

 He has surely decided about his goal.

He is the guy that I am expecting most in this World Cup!

Personal history of Yoshito Ohkubo

He grew up in a small town in Fukuoka Prefecture, and was the famous soccer boy at that time in that area.
Being short, he trifled with the opponent by his preeminent technique and dribble.
The conversation with his father Katsuhiro was revealed when watching the 1994 American World Cup. His father said, “It is good if you also participate in the World Cup”, and Yoshito Ohkubo said, “It is not easy”. After that, he had the poster of the great player Romario in the rest room of his house.
He had the support from his father Katsuhiro, left his home aiming as a professional player at the age of 12 years, and joined the high school and his life pursuing soccer started.
His father said, “Hang on until you become the professional player”, and he determined to be dedicatedly spend his life on Soccer.
Ohkubo says, “If I think now, I wonder that I made such firm decision with those words!”
He called his parents over phone almost daily to hear their voice, and later stood out in the high school as a regular player.
He saw the activity of motivation power of the nationwide high school soccer championship victory, and safely advanced towards the professional road.
He advanced his career favorably even after entering the professional level, participated in the South African World Cup in 2010 as a representative from Japan, and after that, he was hardly called for representation until now.