Japanese visitors take over the city

Apart from the contingent that has arrived from Japan, tourists from various other parts of India have also joined in the fun. Many were on circuit tours of Buddhist places of worship in Bodhgaya, Varanasi and Sarnath.

The total number, according to IFA official Basudev Roy’s rough estimate, was around 2000.

Many of the Japanese tourists say this match is as important as any other international match and they have come here spending their meagre resources. ‘‘This match is precious and we must win this,’’ Motyoshi Nagakiri, an arts student at Tokyo University, who has come with her boyfriend, said. ‘‘We will always remember this visit.’’

‘‘For us any match with another country, whatever its FIFA ranking is, is important. And that is why we have come here to encourage our team,’’ Keiko Tokaro, a nurse at Tokyo, told this reporter.

The Japanese Consulate at Kolkata is part of the hullabaloo as well. ‘‘We are giving them (Japanese visitors) tips on where they can get good food. Also other information and help they need. We are giving all help to the IFA also,’’ Tfuyoshi Fukya, Vice-Consul, said.