12/03/24
February 18, 2003
The terrorists have won.: War or no war, Japan's soccer team is cancelling two friendlies -- the start their 2003 schedule -- to be played in the US next March.
posted by worldcup2002 to soccer at 03:22 PM - 7 comments
Okay, so maybe I'm retarded, but I don't get it. Is Japan really worried about some sort of attack on a soccer event in the States? Or is it a passive-aggressive protest against America's desire to go to war with Iraq? Aside from the fact soccer in the states isn't exactly the biggest draw, it would be incredibly foolish for anyone to attack an event that features players from another country. Wouldn't that just lend support in the international community to Bush's ideas about the need to stamp out terrorism? I know, I know, take it to Metafilter. But I'm serious and curious here.
posted by Samsonov14 at 04:07 PM on February 18, 2003
Too bad Japan didn't say something officially like, "The US is fucking out of control...we will not be going there. That is all."
posted by StarFucker at 04:08 PM on February 18, 2003
I thought almost the exact same thing as Samsonov14. I would tend to lean toward Japan being worried about an attack, although it seems to make more sense as a protest. I hope more information will be provided. StarFucker's comment makes the most sense of all.
posted by pfuller at 04:32 PM on February 18, 2003
It just amused me the way they "explained" the political situation at the end. ;-)
posted by squealy at 06:30 PM on February 18, 2003
Well, if there's anyone who should be afraid of nukes ... btw, in my original post there's an "of" missing from "-- the start their 2003 schedule --". That was not a typo. The terrorists stole my "of". Serious.
posted by worldcup2002 at 06:52 PM on February 18, 2003
There is no telling what is going to happen in San Jose, California and Seattle, right? The terrorists have obviously plotted attacks against the booming Silicon Valley of California and the troubling northern empires of Starbucks and Microsoft. The Japanese are hella sane.
posted by t0mzilla at 11:54 PM on February 18, 2003
Did you know Zico is Japan's coach? Whoa. This guy was Brazil's midfield dynamo from the late 70s to late 80s, and is a former Sports Minister. I once saw a TV segment where he juggled a ball back and forth over a kid's head while he and the kid were running. Amazing.