Japanese keen to see Keane

Hundreds of Japanese people who turned out to watch the Ireland team training today had one name on their lips: Robbie Keane.

The striker’s fame in the World Cup host nation has soared since his equaliser against Germany in the dying seconds of Ireland’s second match of the tournament.

Although the name Robbie Keane is now better known, most of the Japanese people watching today had trouble identifying him or any of the other players when they trained in Chiba city.

A handful of Ireland fans were among the large number of local people watching the training and they said they had been amazed by the interest shown in the team by the Japanese.

Seamus Parkes, 60, from Derry City, said: ‘‘It is amazing to see the amount of money being spent by people on Ireland shirts and team souvenirs.

‘‘There are Japanese people playing football just down the road but everyone is walking past to come and see Ireland. It’s fantastic.’’

He added that although football was not the most popular sport in Japan hosting the World Cup seemed to have changed things.

‘‘They are a lot more aware than the Americans were in 1994. It is being covered by so many television stations that this will make football popular in Japan and also in Korea, especially since their win.’’

Many of the people watching the two-hour long training were Japanese families and some said the main reason they had come was for the day out.

Ryoun Mine, 20, from Chiba, said: ‘‘People are curious. I’m here because they’re training here. Now the World Cup is here, football is popular as people want to know it.

‘‘Maybe from now on it will get more and more popular.’’

Many of those watching were wearing Ireland colours and applause greeted many of the players’ efforts on the training field.

One young Japanese woman who was shouting for Robbie said that although he was not as famous as David Beckham, many people now knew who he was.

Ai Yoshioka, 16, from Chiba, said: ‘‘It is because he scored the goal against Germany. He is liked a lot by both women and men here. We came here today just to see him.’’

Some Irish fans watching the training said that although some Japanese practices, such as giving spectators origami lessons, were a little confusing, the way the Japanese were reacting to the World Cup and the Ireland team was great.

Garrett McLoughlin, 26, from Dublin, said: ‘‘They’ve not got a clue who they’re looking at. They do not really care. They’re just delighted to have us here.’’

Ronan Crummy, 25, from Belfast, added: ‘‘Half of them have probably never seen a football match in their lives but I do not think you could wish for a better welcome.’’

Supporters, both Irish and Japanese, watched the team coach leave, many again shouting for Robbie Keane and manager Mick McCarthy was also applauded when he left the ground by bicycle despite the heat and humidity.

Ireland will play Saudi Arabia at Yokahama stadium on Tuesday in the final match of their qualifying round.