Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
The match between Iran and Japan had finally come.
Two Asian hegemons rarely have a chance to get in touch at the Asian Cup, but when they had, they always create drama. In 1992, Japan beat Iran 1-0 and eliminated the Persians in process, made way to the rise of a new Asian power. In 2004, both two drew 0-0 in the group stage and Japan also conquered Asia.
Japan never concedes any single goal against Iran. Now, they had a chance to extend this streak, although Iran has been far stronger than the past.
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Yeah, and thus, the three Bear brothers and Chloe Park got a ride to the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, the venue of Iran vs. Japan encounter. Chloe Park, having bought a ticket there, would like to know how good Japan is. She wasn't a fan of soccer, but her Korean heritage brought her to this sport. She watched both two Koreas in the tournament, but it was deep ending of total collapse.
Chloe wanted something better, so at least she would see Japan and Iran. On her eyes, Japan is just a normal country and that as a Korean, she perceived Japan positively.
For all mean, three Bear brothers had to cheer her always.
"Here, Chloe."
The more enjoying Grizzly held a good talk with his cousins, with Ice Bear talked to Panda to take care of. Ice Bear rarely talks, so if he suggested something, it must be good thing. Wow.
They attended by somehow …
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Considered as more mature and more human, those bears had no problem to sit and watch such an important encounter. Sitting there with them was Chloe. Just before the half time, suddenly a man also sat together with them too, and he looked on them with funny eyes.
His name? You knew it …
"Huh?" Ice Bear got surprised with his own appearance. Like an indigenous Mapuche, and somehow also stylish.
"I know! Arturo Vidal!" Grizzly told on: "You're famous."
"Whatever you said." Arturo laughed: "Welcome to the new order."
"Do you often play football around?" Panda added his words, something Ice Bear wouldn't do.
"Wow, pretty much …" Chloe was surprised, but of course, Chloe knew that Vidal wanted to hide himself. Vidal wanted to discuss about the strength of Japan, Chile's upcoming opponent in Copa América.
"Let me guess: you want to watch football!" Grizz was always that annoying.
"Whatever." Vidal told them to calm down.
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As the first half ended, Vidal took his iPhone, registered the strength and weakness of Japan. In accordance, he was surprised by how good Japan is, even he didn't care on them much.
Japan is Asia's hegemon at this part, even Vidal had to express impression of rapid football development in the country, which prior to 1990s, was just as lame as it could be.
Seeing this, Ice Bear could witness what Vidal was doing.
"Analyzing complex."
"How do you know?" Vidal asked: "You look smart."
"Nothing. Just for good." Ice Bear stated.
"Well then." Vidal said, following with his analysis.
And just that, it was nothing hard really, for such a Chilean. Ice Bear was the most focusing one, and also, the least talking among the Bears, anyway.
Grizz and Panda made some kind of fun jokes, while Chloe also got the same interest.
She wasn't a soccer fan, so she had no clue on which players were the best. She didn't even know any names of Iranian or Japanese players, regardless. So, naturally, she had to accept viewing them by unknown circumstances.
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Ice Bear kept focusing on the game and when he saw five Iranian players surrounded the referee as Takumi Minamino stood up, he knew it would be a goal.
Yes, it was. 1-0 for Japan. Osako made it by a header. Iran was reckoned and whole Iranian squad pulled themselves up. However instead of an Iranian equalizer, they got a kick ass twice. Same player, 2nd goal, a penalty.
By this point, Vidal gave a praise: "Damn."
Because Chile would face Japan, what Vidal got must be important. Ice Bear would even state that Iran had collapsed since. Grizzly, Chloe and Panda were all surprised how good Japan was.
Cool.
By this point, Chloe decided to look on Arturo Vidal, and she was impressed with his hard job. He did.
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Overall, 3-0, and a bunch of iPhone analysis was completed. He, Arturo Vidal, soon sent messages to his teammates, hoping to gain important news about Japan. So be it.
Panda, Grizzly, Ice Bear and Chloe, those who had little time to understand football, or soccer in their country, the U.S., now saw it was something to cheer about.
