The first round of the Footy Japan ESR cup has finally been played. Most of the match results were very predictable with the higher division team consistantly winning their games.
Kanto Celts (d2) beat Guts (d3) 7-1, YeBoiz (d2) beat Saitama Jets (d3) 4-1, Dutch (d2) beat BFC Vagabonds (d3) 6-0, Suns (d2) beat Real Celts (d3) 9-0, Lions (d1) beat King George (d3) 10-2, Eastern Capital (d1) beat Sagarmatha (d3) 5-0.
In midst of the corona virus looming over Japan, the international Samurai 7's 2020 went ahead on March 21st. A beautiful sunny afternoon welcomed 12 teams to the YCAC pitch.
Group A had British Embassy FC, Aurora FC, FJ Masters, F-League O30 FC, Robert Walters & Friends, Kilamanjaro FC
Group B had Peru FC, FC International, Oito FC, Toma's Peons, SV Wacker Durchsaufen, International Ronin
The champions of division 2 came down to the final fixture of the season. 18:30 at Shibuya Sports Center, a clash between the highest scoring team of division 2 (Sala FC) and the least conceded team (British Embassy FC). An exciting fixture that brought out TML fans to the stands (benches to be precise) despite being unassociated with either team.
Despite having the championship on the line, the match was far from defensive and stale. Sala stormed into a 2-0 lead through Fuyuki Nakatani and veteran Marko Gonzalez.
There was no dispute over who the Robert Walters team of the week back at the Footy Japan Head Quarters. British Embassy FC rightfully earned their team of the week with a hard earned victory over Fussa. The odds were in the favor of Fussa even before kick off. British Embassy had a 10 man squad as opposed to the army (pun intended) that Fussa FC brought, a 14 man squad. BEFC scored an early goal from a penalty kick, an ideal start for a team with a missing player. However Fussa equalized immediately putting Fussa back in a favorable position.
It was all change for the Summer edition of our Soccer 7s. A new location, different sized goals and the 3 goal bonus point scrapped from the rules page.
The busiest day of the Footy Japan season came and went without incident. The 3rd Edition of hosting the 2 tournaments in one day was a great success. The youngest competitors were aged 5 and the eldest were in their 50's. They played for the love of the game but also helped raise money for Refugees International Japan.
Panthers FC
BEFC
Hibernian FC
FC Sagarmatha
Eastern Capital FC
Brunello FC
Pumas FC
YeBoiz FC
Clash FC
FC International
Guapo FC
SUNS FC
Sala FC
Fussa FC
Zion FC
YC&AC
Dutch FC
FC Nomade
Albion Old Boys FC
Shane FC
BFC Tokyo
King George FC
BEFC Lions
Lions FC
Saitama JETS FC
Kilimanjaro FC
Jetro FC
Teranga FC
