With a few of their players injured, Shane had barely enough for their game against Jetro. Starting with 11 with a player joining later, it was looking like Jetro had the upper hand with their 14 players before the game started. The game did seem to start that way, with Jetro having some great passwork but no strong finish. However, it all changed after 20 minutes, with a goal from their leading goal scorer Kodai Takano. After this goal, Shane gained immense momentum and confidence. They were stringing better passes and creating more chances, particularly with their counter attacks.
The Masters session has seem a healthy amount of teams participating in them. The last two sessions have been a tournament with 5 teams, of which both of them have been won by the lads of Fine Vintage. Composed of members mostly from King George and Shane FC, the boys in blue have pulled in the wins through sheer team effort. No reliance on any single player, each member plays their role and contributes. Even without an actual goal keeper in attendance, they still manage to edge out other teams consistently.
The ESR FJ Cup and Plate games have had their fair share of upsets and what's left of the rubble are 4 teams in the cup.
The Semi-finals are Eastern Capital vs BEFC on one leg, Zion vs Brunello on the other. The only Division 2 team in the cup semi-finals, Brunello have had an amazing run. Beating Yeboiz (current 2nd place in Division 1) in full time 3-1 and then beating Pumas (current 1st place in Division 1) also in full time 1-0. At this point, they can just call themselves the champions of TML after winning against the two strongest teams!
This sunday Fussa and Jets faced off down at Redsland. An Important game for Fussa as they are on the edge of getting promoted to division 2. Fussa were very motivated going in.
The team from our partners Club 360 (@club360_eng) are back with some injury and performance tips. This post provides some tips for dealing with pain in the achilles region. The first tip, accurate diagnosis, is perhaps the most important. Unlike with runners, where pain in this area is usually an achilles problem, in football players, the kicking action often causes what we term posterior impingement which requires a very different management strategy. If you are dealing with achilles pain, or pain in any other area of the body, get in to see Club 360's experienced physios.
The death of Footy Japan's founding partner and ex British Football Club captain Jonathan Day has sent shockwaves across the international footballing community in Tokyo, especially coming so soon after the loss of referee Kazu.
Brunello have been absolutely smashing it this season. I've seen three of their games and they are mostly the same players since two years ago. So either they've begun to click together or someone needs to be checking them for doping! Their football is clean, crisp passing football netting them great results so far and looking on track for promotion to division 1. They've even managed to take out Pumas in the cup game, a task that can't simply be chalked up to luck.
However against their match against YCAC, YCAC started the game surprisingly strong.
The sudden death of Masakazu Urushiyama has come as a great shock to the international football community of Tokyo. Kazu, as we all know him, has been an integral part of Footy Japan Competitions since the start of the League back in 2004. He has been our longest serving referee, officiating over matches in all 21 seasons and also childrens matches for British Football Academy. His friendly manner, unbiased officiating and humbleness to admit when he was at fault ('My bad!') made him a favourite amongst many captains and players. Without his dedication to football & refereeing, travelling to far off pitches in all weathers to take charge over 22 players who question or moan about every decision, the Tokyo Metropolis League would have struggled to complete all the fixtures in many seasons. He has helped bring & nurture new referees in the league and will leave a void that is difficult to fill. He will be hugely missed by everyone involved in the league and FJ competitions. Our hearts go out to his family, friends, children and grandchildren.
May you rest in peace Kazu.
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
BFC Tokyo
King George FC
BEFC Lions
Lions FC
Saitama JETS FC
Kilimanjaro FC
Jetro FC
Teranga FC
Albion Old Boys FC
Shane FC
