I lost two tickets for these games but a match run by FIFA emphatically takes credit cards (VISA) and it was worth it. The normally calm and expert beer pourers were mobbed, the shops closest to the River Plate Ultras sold out of draught beer and the Argentinians supporters did themselves proud. The first game showed TP (stands for Tout Puissant meaning 'Almighty' which shows the roots of the team from the Benedictine monks) Mazembe have a lot to offer the competition as do Club America but it was more like a friendly as throughout the River Plate fans chanted about their Copa Libertadores victory which got them here. Hiroshima were spot on with their tactics but an unfortunate error by their keeper meant the River fans left happy, drunk and the stadium was largely unscathed, only the beer pourers mental state was affected. I can't wait for the next time this competition is held here, when you notice some fans carrying bog rolls you know you're in for a treat.
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| Not a good picture as the stadium was rocking, literally AC/DC for some reason, but from the away end the tallest building in Japan, Abeno Harukas, can be seen |
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| Club America supporters vastly outnumbering TP Mazembe fans |
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| I was wondering about this before the game but...flair play to the River fans they brought flares |
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| 2 flares to be precise but again flair play to them |
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| The moment I realised the planned Hiroshima stadium project (which looked amazing) had been cancelled |
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| Hiroshima fans can be proud of their team if not the result, I usually praise any away fans that make the trip but the River Plate fans displayed a new level of dedication |
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| So many flags and banners, did they have room in their suitcases for anything else? A rooster suit? |
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| At the bottom of this picture, it looks huge, but it was one of many UFO-like balloons handed out in the River Plate section |
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| Studying Spanish? Speak Spanish? Knock yourself out |
