Japan defeats N Korea 2-1 to reach women's soccer tournament at Paris Olympics

North Korea coach Ri Yu Il wiped away tears, apologizing for the loss

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Obviously thinking about a world of pain coming up on the horizon.

The new National Stadium has a capacity of over 68,000 seats, so I was surprised that only 20,000 attended on a clear Tokyo evening with the temperature around 10 C at kickoff.

I was surprised that only 20,000 attended

Why does that surprise you?

It's women's soccer.

I don't mean to knock it -- my niece is an outstanding soccer player on a championship university team in the States -- but it's just not at the same skill level as men's soccer.

Hence the lesser popularity.

so I was surprised that only 20,000 attended on a clear Tokyo evening with the temperature around 10 C at kickoff.

An Olympic football qualifier isn’t a particularly huge event. Other football tournaments are now much bigger.

I don't mean to knock it -- my niece is an outstanding soccer player on a championship university team in the States -- but it's just not at the same skill level as men's soccer. 

Hence the lesser popularity

I’d agree.

I’d say it’s the best sporting spectacle to watch outside men’s football.

The new National Stadium has a capacity of over 68,000 seats, so I was surprised that only 20,000 attended on a clear Tokyo evening with the temperature around 10 C at kickoff.

Because, as usual, the ticket prices are too expensive. The cheapest ticket for the game was, I think, 3,500 yen. If you have a family and want to watch together, that's a serious dent.

I seriously don't understand why they can't make the ticket price 1,000 yen and fill the stadium. But the WE-League is just the same. Tickets in the WE-League start at about 2,500 for adults, meaning that most games are played to near-empty stadiums.

In England, on the other hand, WSL games are much cheaper to watch. Games in England are also free on TV or on the FA-Player website. In Japan WE-League games are on Dazn, which is hugely overpriced. All this means that the game is not growing much in Japan, but in England the crowds are growing all the time, and now many WSL games are even played in the main stadiums.

it's just not at the same skill level as men's soccer.

No, it's better. More skillful, more intelligent, and a heck of a lot cleaner.

It can also be more powerful. Chloe Kelly’s penalty kick against Nigeria in the World Cup last year was faster than any goal scored by any of the men in the entire Premier League that year!

I seriously don't understand why they can't make the ticket price 1,000 yen and fill the stadium.

Agree! If two-thirds of the stadium is empty, why not sell those seats at a low price and generate greater support for the team?

The new National Stadium has a capacity of over 68,000 seats, so I was surprised that only 20,000 attended on a clear Tokyo evening with the temperature around 10 C at kickoff

Did you not read the "women's" in the title ?

No, it's better. More skillful, more intelligent, and a heck of a lot cleaner.

LOL.... Good one.

Why only 20,000 fans?

They should advertise north Korea's games as football/MMA, double the audience!

Football teams from the Far East are a treat to watch. Asian giants Nadeshiko Japan, Chollima, and Taegeuk Nangja are blessed with fit, energetic, creative, constructive, and skillful footballers.

Jimbo didn't get the argument he was fishing for. How unfortunate.