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Four years ago, the U.S. and Japanese teams met in the Women’s World Cup final in Germany, with Nadeshiko Japan emerging victorious in an uplifting and feel-good story after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. This year’s rematch of the two teams was a totally different result as the Americans gave the Japanese a real shellacking with a final score of 5-2. Japanese fans didn’t have much to cheer about as they found their team down 4-0 after about the 16 minute mark.

While thousands of soccer fans celebrated the championship in Shibuya’s famed scramble crosswalk four years ago, what sort of celebration would be found after the U.S. victory? There are definitely enough Americans in the Tokyo area to celebrate their win so join us after the jump to witness the “madness” in Shibuya.

There was an immense celebration all over Japan in 2011 when the final penalty kick sealed the win for the hard-working Japanese women. Tokyoites gathered outside Shibuya Station to celebrate a much-needed victory for Japan. Thousands of people lined the streets and filled the famous Shibuya crossing with their revelry.

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So what sort of victory party awaited American soccer fans after their decisive 5-2 victory?

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Apparently, not a whole lot. A handful of fans showed their happiness by brandishing the American flag as they crossed the street. They even stopped for a brief soccer ball juggling display to the delight of other pedestrians and drivers. Online commenters thought that their little celebration was cute and gave their congratulations to the American women.

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It wasn’t the most amazing party ever, but the timing of the game surely played into it. Since the game didn’t officially finish until 10 a.m. in Japan (and really, it was unofficially “over” at 8:16 a.m.), there probably weren’t too many Americans available to celebrate on a Monday morning. The rainy weather might have kept people away as well. And even though many workplaces around Japan were watching the game on a TV, many American workers probably had to hold their celebrations until after work. It was still a successful tournament for Japan, and we all look forward to a possible rematch at the next Women’s World Cup in 2019.

Source: Hachima Kiko
Top Image: Facebook/FIFA Women’s World Cup
Inset Images: Hachima Kiko