Japan condemned to the World Cup for a strange national phobia: the number 4 “helps” Croatia

World Cup in Qatar 2022

Japan was also knocked out of the World Cup due to a popular belief: “tetraphobia”, or fear of the number 4. A number that made the difference against Croatia in a whirlwind of strange coincidences.

Author: Fabrizio Rinelli

World Cup in Qatar 2022

the tale of Japan at the World Cup stops in the round of 16. After the defeat to Croatia on penalties, Moriyasu’s team ended a splendid adventure in Qatar in which they made the difference by beating Spain in the last round of the group stage and, above all, by eliminating Germany, then eliminated. It became a bit like everyone’s team, the combative, stubborn one, able to win even when all seemed lost. The last one to retire, eliminated but without losing between regular time and extra time. The 1-1 draw with Croatia attests to the strength of a group that literally made millions fall in love with them fans of around the world glued to the TV.

Japan coach speech to his team after the match.
Japan coach speech to his team after the match.

And the dislike for this elimination is great, and in Japan they fear that a strange popular belief could have made the difference, which, judging by what we saw on the field, seems to have been almost prophetic. This is the superstition linked to the number 4, very well known in Japan. It is considered an unlucky number: the pronunciation of the number is “shi” almost identical to the word “death”. And in Japan, this fear led several towns and cities to build buildings and palaces without the fourth floor, which simply did not exist. against Croatia number 4 made the difference and in a whirlwind of strange coincidences he was instrumental in Japan’s elimination from the World Cup.

Ivan Perisic: Croatia's number 4 who scored the equalizing goal against Japan.
Ivan Perisic: Croatia’s number 4 who scored the equalizing goal against Japan.

In Japan we talk about “tetraphobia” which literally means a form of aversion or fear of the number 4. It is a very common superstition in East Asian countries such as China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan. During Japan’s match against Croatia, this number was incredibly recurring. Just think that Japan was eliminated in his fourth World Cup match in Qatar conceding the Croatian equalizer by Ivan Perisic wearing jersey number 4🇧🇷 This way? No way.

Tomiyasu opposes Perisic in the match: he was trying to contain Croatia's number 4.
Tomiyasu opposes Perisic in the match: he was trying to contain Croatia’s number 4.

The penalty shootout, always marked by a balance of emotions, saw Japan close the classification speech in the fourth shot of eleven meters denying you access – see the case – ouch quarterfinals🇧🇷 In short, if anyone thought that this population-wide phobia was exaggerated, they certainly can’t help but notice this series of coincidences. The only member of the Japan national team who had the courage to perform for the World Cup wearing shirt number 4, Ko Itakura was disqualified and he was unable to contain what is now considered in the Rising Sun to be an authentic curse.

Source: Fan Page IT

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