SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — Chile will feel a little quieter now that Japan is out of the men's Under-20 World Cup.
With drums, banners, flags, and signs, the Japanese fans stole the show with their heartfelt support as their team advanced to the round of 16 following a perfect group-stage campaign. It all ended Wednesday with a 1-0 loss to France.
“I moved to Mexico literally three days ago to open a ramen restaurant,” Toshi Yoshizawa, a 43-year-old fan, told The Associated Press. “This World Cup and this national team made it easy for me to cross the ocean.”
Yoshizawa was part of a small but loud group that captivated Chile with their boisterous presence in stadiums, whether in Santiago or Valparaíso. Some traveled alone, others are businessmen living in Chile, and still others, like Yoshi