（2006年，6月19日12:48 當地時間）

　　在日本隊以0比0和克羅地亞戰平後，絕望的日本球迷開始為自己的球隊祈禱，希望日本隊能重演1996年奧運會戰勝巴西的奇跡，從而保留晉級第二輪的一線希望。

　　許多球迷認為，前鋒球員的糟糕表現是日本隊遲遲不能破門的關鍵，他們浪費了太多的機會，平局對日本隊毫無意義，晉級希望微乎其微。

　　鏈結：http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=afp-fblwc2006jpncro&prov=afp&type=lgns

　　原文：Japanese fans praying for miracle against Brazil

　　by Harumi Ozawa

　　June 19, 2006

　　TOKYO (AFP) - Desperate fans across Japan are praying for a repeat of their miracle win over Brazil at the 1996 Olympics, with hopes of remaining in the World Cup now resting on beating the title holders.

　　Led by Brazilian coach Zico, Japan pulled out a 0-0 draw with Croatia in an unimpressive second game Sunday, meaning that they now have to defeat the powerhouse side to survive.

　　"Japan is surviving as its head hasn't been chopped off yet, although it is hanging by a thin piece of skin," wrote the Tokyo Chunichi Sports newspaper. "Japan must defeat Brazil. God, make a miracle!"

　　But many admitted beating the champions on Friday seemed far-fetched.

　　Amane Suzuki, 30, a company worker and amateur football player, said that Japan may just not be in the ranks of top football nations yet.

　　"It's very frustrating. Now we have a very limited chance of advancing," said Suzuki, wearing a "Samurai Blue" jersey as he watched the Croatia match at a Tokyo bar.

　　"Our strikers are crap. There were some moments when they could have taken shots but they didn't," he said.

　　Ryu Fukumoto, 29, who sold his ticket to watch the match in Leipzig because he could not find a hotel, made do instead by taking part in an impromptu post-game rally with drums and flags in the Shibuya nightlife district.

　　"We could have won but we missed a lot of chances. It's really regrettable," Fukumoto said.

　　"We need to look at what other teams are doing. We need to be more aggressive."

　　Japanese media clung to hopes that the national side could score a breakthrough.

　　"The draw was almost a loss," Nikkan Sports said. "So as not to waste the draw and to answer support from home, Zico's Japan has to bring about a miracle."

　　Newspapers praised veteran goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi, who refused to give up a single goal to the Croatians, reviving memories of his defense at the 1996 Olympics -- when Japan defeated Brazil in Miami.

　　Sports Nippon newspaper said: "Kawaguchi's miracle left hand stopped a penalty."

　　"Japan could not win. But it didn't lose either," the sports daily said. "If Japan had not had Kawaguchi's super save, its hope to survive the first round could have been gone."

　　"The main performer who brought about the Miami miracle will protect the goal with a strong belief in moving on to the final round," the newspaper said.

　　It was a turnaround in fortunes for Kawaguchi, who allowed three goals in the last 10 minutes against Australia as Japan went down to a humiliating 3-1 loss in this year's opener.

　　"Kawaguchi avenged those who criticized him for moving too forward and losing three goals to the Australians," the Nikkan Sports said.

　　Updated on Monday, Jun 19, 2006 12:48 am EDT

　　作者-岳東興-北京第二外國語學院-英語系

責編：佟杉杉