Ole, Ole, Con-sa-dole!

We went to check out a Consadole game today.  Consadole is the professional soccer team representing Sapporo in the Japan League Division 1.  It was a lot of fun.  We had heard some doubts about Consadole, but they gave it their all and overcame the lead of their opponents to win in the final seconds!  The opponents were Vegalta Sendai, the top ranked team in the league.  Consadole is the bottom ranked team in the league.  Consadole's home colors are black and red.

A big part of the fun was sitting in the Sapporo fan section.  They had chants going on for almost the whole game.  We are Sap-po-ro, We are Sap-po-ro!  The fans were much more involved in the game than the fans of the Seattle Sounders on a per fan basis, although fewer total fans.  There were just under 12,000 people attending the game, and the majority of them were cheering for the hometown team all game long.

Here is a video of the Sapporo Chant starting.

They rolled out these giant banners that may have said Sapporo.  I was in the middle of the sign so it was hard to read.

I am not sure what this banner means, but my guess is that it is a giant jersey with the number 12 for the 12th man, or the fans.  

I didn't get a photo of a goal being scored, but they had lots of attempts.

Here is a video of one of the scoring attempts.

At the end of the game the home team walked around the field and bowed to the fans.  It was a very japanese moment.  Bre says that the Seattle Sounders would walk around the field and wave to the fans.

Here is a photo of the fans chanting "We are Sap-po-ro, We are Sap-po-ro" after winning with a last second goal.

That's all for now,

Kyle (and Bre)