The Summer 7s returned to YC&AC after being held at St Marys last year. 16 teams all equipped with water, suntan lotion and some even with their own tents were ready to burn off their post World Cup hangover in style.

Prior to each tournament I often get asked who is good and who are the favourites? Being a professional I always sit on the fence but I may mention a few teams by name. This tournament was odd in a way that a few big guns ended in the Plate tournament. They do say it’s a ‘funny old game’.

Group A kicked off with Musketeers missing a couple of players and their 6 man team got a beating from BEFC 5-0. Shunsuke FC started well with a 1-0 victory over FC Thaitans. The next round of matches saw British Embassy show a strong performance to beat Shunsuke FC 2-1 and Musketeers who were now upto full strength defeat 7s newsboys Tokai FC 4-0. With the group very much open Musketeers beat Shunsuke 2-1 to put them into Cup along with BEFC which meant Shunsuke FC would play their first ever Plate match after 2 years of entering our tournaments.

Group B saw Chipangano FC beat Division 1 new boys Lions FC 3-1. Tokai FC defeated AOB 4-0. Lions FC continued their poor start as Tokai FC scored 4 past them. Albion Old Boys found their scoring boots to beat Chipangano 3-2. The final matches saw Chipangano go through to the Cup on goal difference as they scored 3 against table toppers Tokai FC.

Group C was the most competitive of the 4 groups with 1 goal deciding every match. A strong looking KGFC lost to Ye Boiz FC 2-1 and last years Summer 7s Champs Collezone FC beat Tomo FC 3-2. Tomo FC then beat KGFC 2-1 and Collezone made it 2 out 2 with victory over Ye Boiz. As mentioned previously the tournament was odd, KGFC finally won by beating group winners Collezone 2-1 but it wasn’t enough to get them into the Cup. The final Cup spot went to Tomo FC.

Group D saw BFC Tokyo beat newcomes Sol e Lua FC 1-0 and Sala FC draw against Footy Japan's accountants team TZ Utd 1-1. Sala FC with a mix of Sala players and trialists lost 4-0 to Sol e Lua 4-0 and BFC Tokyo destroyed TZ 5 goals to 0. BFC v Sala played out the most exciting game of the group stage with a 7 goal thriller. BFC were 4-3 victors. They finished top and Sol e Lua finished 2nd.

Plate: Shunsuke FC, Ye Boiz FC, Sala FCl and Lions FC were all surprised additions to the Plate tournament. This meant that no team would have an easy access to the final. Lions beat Shunsuke FC 2-1 and Ye Boiz were knocked out on PK’s to the team full of accountants. What were the odds on that happening?

Albion Old Boys defeated FC Thaitans 1-0 and KGFC played out a close game v Sala FC but a Sid Lloyd finish early in the game meant KGFC would meet AOB in the Semi Final. This was another close match but KGFC played a blinder and won 1-0. The other Semi FInal saw Lions FC draw with TZ United who would need a 2nd PK shootout victory to reach the final. The shootout ended 7-6 with the Lions keeper missing which took TZ Utd through to the final.

Cup: British Embassy started slowly and found themselves 2 down after 5 minutes vs Chipangano. They kept calm and completed an amazing recovery to win 5-2. Collezone defeated Sol e Lua 2-1. Musketeers scored 4 past Tokai FC to reach the Semi final. BFC continued to score and defeated Tomo FC 3-0.

This is where I can’t tell you what happened in the Semi Finals, not that it’s embargoed but I don’t have the results written down. I can tell you who won…...Collezone FC and BFC Tokyo.

The Finals: As I was playing in the Plate Final I can confirm that KGFC dominated the first 12 minutes and were 2 nil up and coasting. The final 6 minutes was a horror show and TZ United had one young player who decided to take things into his own hands and score not one but 3 goals. 3-2 and TZ United had completed a remarkable victory.

The Cup Final was an intense game played at a great level and pace considering the hot conditions. After 18 minutes it was 1-1 and the game went into 5 minutes of extra time. With time running out the 7s holders had a one on one that was neatly finished. 2-1 to Collezone and they retained their title.

A huge thank you to YC&AC and also the 5 referees: Steve, Quentin, Kazu, Ju Young and Manuel.

To view photos from the day please click HERE.