Japan fans thank Zico after historic win over Brazil | OneFootball

Zico was responsible for creating the professional soccer league in Japan

For the first time in history, Japan beat Brazil in men’s soccer. Coming from behind, the Asians won 3–2 over the five-time world champions. After the match, Eastern fans did not forget to thank the ‘father’ of the sport in the country: Zico, the greatest idol in the history of Flamengo.

Right after the final whistle, Japanese fans took to social media to acknowledge that the victory owed much to Zico’s ‘presence’. The “Galinho” arrived in the country in 1991 to play for Kashima Antlers (JPN), when soccer was not yet professional, and played a decisive role in modernizing the sport.

WHAT WERE THE JAPANESE REACTIONS AFTER THE WIN OVER BRAZIL?

WHAT ARE ZICO’S CONTRIBUTIONS TO JAPANESE SOCCER?

Besides helping to create the J-League, Japan’s professional soccer league, Zico is treated like a ‘mantra’ in Japan. In fact, Kashima’s fans usually carry a banner with the phrase “Zico Spirit” to support the team, which is something like ‘grit and the will to win’.

Zico also managed Japan at a World Cup, in 2006, when he was defeated precisely by Brazil, 4–1. The “Galinho de Quintino” is such an idol in the country that he even became a statue in front of Kashima Antlers’ stadium.

HOW WAS THE MATCH BETWEEN BRAZIL AND JAPAN?

In short, Brazil had total control of the first half and quickly went 2–0 up, with goals from Paulo Henrique and Gabriel Martinelli, the latter finishing a beautiful assist from Lucas Paquetá. However, Japan turned it around in the second half, with Minamino, Nakamura, and Ueda.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.