I have never watched a live World Cup match.
But in 1997, I watched something very close to it.

Japan vs Iran.
World Cup play-off.
Larkin Stadium, Johor Bahru.

That night, Johor Bahru became part of Japanese football history.

I still remember I had to queue weeks ago just to get the ticket. That time no smartphone.

Before the match started, I saw die-hard Japanese fans walking around outside the stadium, asking people whether they were willing to sell their tickets.

Some looked nervous.
Some looked desperate.

Inside the stadium, one thing I can never forget.

Blue.
Everywhere was blue.
Japanese jerseys,
Japanese flags,
Japanese headbands,
Japanese banners.

Larkin Stadium suddenly did not feel like Johor Bahru anymore.
It felt like a small piece of Tokyo had landed in Malaysia.

The air was hot.
The crowd was loud.
Every Japanese attack made the blue section rise.

Every Iranian counter-attack made the whole stadium hold its breath.
This was not a normal football match.

This was survival.
Japan scored.
Iran came back.
Japan pushed again.
Iran fought again.
By extra time, you could feel the tension in the stadium.

Not just from the players.
From the fans also.
Then came the golden goal.
Japan 3, Iran 2.

For a few seconds, the stadium almost froze.
Then it exploded.
Japanese fans cried.
Players collapsed on the field.

Some people hugged strangers.
Some just stood there, unable to believe what they had witnessed.

That night, Japan qualified for their first ever World Cup.

At that time, many people still looked at Japanese football as second class.

Almost 30 years later, I watched Japan again.

This time, against the Netherlands at the World Cup.

Twice Japan fell behind.
Twice they fought their way back.

And the second equaliser came in the 88th minute.
That kind of goal is not luck.

Maybe that is why Hajime Moriyasu was not surprised.
Before the tournament, he already said it clearly.
“I want football to change the belief that Japan cannot become the best in the world in a contact sport.”

That sentence hit differently.
Because I still remember Larkin Stadium in 1997.

Back then, Japan were fighting just to enter the World Cup.

Now, this is the same Japan that stunned Germany and Spain in 2022
This is the same Japan that topped their group.

This is the same Japan that now goes toe-to-toe with biggest football nations.

Last time, Japan winning was called surprise.
Now, Japan is becoming powerhorse.

I still remember the blue wave in Larkin Stadium.

That night, Japan found the door to the World Cup.
Today, they are no longer just entering the door.

Japan have every reason to believe. 🇯🇵