The Seagulls Bring Joy to Japanese Fans
25,000 Japanese supporters chant “Seagulls, Seagulls”
Key words
- Dream come true: something that happens after wishing for it for a long time
Winning the World Cup was a dream come true for the young footballer.
- Brought to tears: to make someone cry due to strong emotions
The emotional farewell from the fans brought the retiring player to tears.
- Cause a stir: to create excitement, controversy, or strong reactions
The star player’s unexpected transfer caused a stir among supporters.
- Back-to-back: happening one after another, without interruption
The team won back-to-back league titles in 2019 and 2020.
- On and off the field: in both sports and other areas of life
He was a great leader both on and off the field, always supporting his teammates at work and in their private lives.
Comprehension Questions
- Who is Kazuo ‘Charlie’ Sobajima, and why was the pre-season tour special for him?
- How did Charlie feel when he heard 25,000 Japanese fans chanting “Seagulls, Seagulls” at the National Stadium?
- Which Albion players attended the event at Kamo Soccer Store in Harajuku, and what did they do there?
- What was the result of Albion’s matches against Kashima Antlers and Tokyo Verdy?
Kazuo ‘Charlie’ Sobajima
Brighton & Hove Albion’s pre-season tour to Japan was a special moment for many fans, but for one supporter, it was a dream come true. Kazuo ‘Charlie’ Sobajima, a lifelong Albion fan, watched the team live for the first time in nearly 50 years.
Charlie lived in Brighton from 1973 for five years, attending all home matches and traveling to away games when possible. After returning to Japan, he could only follow Albion through TV and online broadcasts.
“Thanks to this Japan tour, I finally watched Albion live for the first time in 47 years,” Charlie said. “I never imagined that one day I would see them play in Japan.”
He recalled his time in Brighton, where he saw very few Japanese fans at the Goldstone Ground. Now, hearing 25,000 Japanese supporters chant “Seagulls, Seagulls” at the National Stadium brought him to tears.
“These past two weeks have felt like a dream,” said Charlie, now 71. He also had the chance to meet Albion’s chief executive Paul Barber at an event in Tokyo. His next dream is to return to Brighton and watch a match at the Amex Stadium.
Kamo Soccer Store in Harajuku
Meanwhile, Albion’s players created excitement in Tokyo. Facundo Buonanotte, Jack Hinshelwood, James Milner, and Japan’s own Kaoru Mitoma caused a stir at Kamo Soccer Store in Harajuku. Hundreds of fans queued across five floors to meet them. Mitoma, alongside his teammates, answered questions before signing gifts for fans. Club ambassador Glenn Murray, chief executive Paul Barber, and technical director David Weir were also present.
Back-to-Back Victories
Albion’s tour included a special open training session for fans before their second match against Tokyo Verdy. On Wednesday, Fabian Hürzeler won his debut game as head coach with a 5-1 victory over Kashima Antlers.
For the final match, Mitoma led the team out as captain. Albion won 4-2 against Tokyo Verdy, making it back-to-back victories in Japan.
“He’s been amazing on and off the field,” Milner said of Mitoma. “It was a special week for him, and we all wanted him to enjoy it.”
Practice your English with football fans from around the world!
Discussion questions
- Do you have any questions about the vocabulary or grammar in this article?
- How do you think Kazuo ‘Charlie’ Sobajima felt watching Albion live after 47 years? Have you ever experienced something similar?
- Albion players met fans at Kamo Soccer Store in Harajuku. If you had the chance to meet a football player, who would it be and why?
- If you had the chance to meet any football player, past or present, who would it be and what would you ask them?
- What would you do if you had five minutes to talk with Kaoru Mitoma?
This article was written by Eddy
Improve your English communication skills by practicing with Eddy, a qualified and experienced native speaker.
