A deserved qualification for Japan.
A very controlled first half, with intensity, technical quality, collective discipline, and strong defensive organization.
In the second half, Sweden pushed hard, but Japan showed character, resilience, and the ability to suffer together.
This team knows how to play, but also how to fight when needed.
All the ingredients are there now ahead of an exciting Round of 32 clash against Brazil.
Ganbare Nippon 💪🇯🇵⚽️❤️
⛸️Loena Hendrickx zet een punt achter haar kunstschaatscarrière. Als Europees kampioene en tweevoudig WK-medaillewinnares heeft ze het Belgische kunstschaatsen mee op de wereldkaart gezet. Proficiat met deze prachtige loopbaan en veel succes in alles wat nog komt! 👏🇧🇪
What started as a meeting at a Dallas brewery turned into the World Cup adventure of a lifetime.
When members of the Japanese prominent supporters' club @ told Michael Peticolas they were taking a bus from Dallas to Monterrey, Mexico, for a World Cup match, he had one question: "Is there room for one more?"
The answer led to a 36-hour journey filled with pre-dawn departures, border crossings, tacos in Monterrey, nonstop chants and one of the most electric soccer atmospheres he's ever experienced.
The lifelong soccer fan who's attended hundreds of matches said he'd never seen anything like the passion of Japan's supporters.
"It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience," Peticolas said.
🚌Follow along as a Dallas brewery owner joins Japanese superfans on an unforgettable World Cup road trip.
📹️: Courtesy of Michael Peticolas
My dear friend is no doubt about to blow our collective mind with Digger. What an undeniably spectacular career. What a bold and wild next step. Only seen a taste of the film… cannot wait for October to see the rest!
Thank you, Loena. 🤍⛸️
Two World Championship medals. A European title. Three Olympic Games. A career that will not be forgotten.
Loena Hendrickx, thank you for everything you gave to our sport. We wish you all the best in this next chapter. 👏
#FigureSkating