See Japan fans score big on Texas adventures
Japan fans were seen at local Walmarts, rodeos and other American establishments as they experience Texas in between FIFA World Cup matches.
ARLINGTON, TX — It was another big welcome for Japan starter Zion Suzuki and the other two goalkeepers at Dallas Stadium, with the fans welcoming their shot-stopper to the field.
Suzuki has represented the Samurai Blue from the U-15 level, but he also was eligible for the U.S. Suzuki was born in Newark, New Jersey, to a Ghanian father and a Japanese mother. He was raised in Saitama, Japan, where he went through the Urawa Red Diamonds academy. He went pro with that club before moving to a team in Belgium.
In 2024, he earned a transfer to Serie A side Parma, and now starts for the club where legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon made his name.
Just 23, Suzuki made his Japan senior debut in 2022 and already has more than two dozen caps. He made his World Cup debut against the Netherlands in the same venue he’s playing in June 25, making four saves in a 2-2 draw with the Oranje. He was less busy in a 4-0 Japan triumph over Tunisia, not facing a shot on goal but impressing with his distribution out of the back.
