It's been a relatively warm season. The December and January months has been free of snow... until last weekend!
Arguably one of the coldest fixtures of the year with thunder in the background and snow falling down. Miserable weather but the field was in playing conditions, therefore the games went on! These are the type of games were a mysterious illness will often take over the TML with many faint hearted players claiming a sudden change in their health or plans but fortunantely, all the teams this weekend were able to organize a full side.
It's been a relatively smooth TML season this year, teams have put up and adapted well to the "no rescheduling fixtures that are posted" rule. Perhaps teams needed this rule all along to create a sense of urgency in actually fielding a team. Whatever the reason, it's been doing everyone in the league wonders. In the past, canceled games ruined plans for the non-cancelling opponents and referees. On top of this, it wasted countless of pitches.
With the cold season settling in, injuries are bound to occur.
Footy Japan partners Club 360 are experts in injury prevention and rehabilitation, and will be sharing simple useful injury and performance tips with you over the coming months.
In the following video series Sam Gilbert and Alan Pang cover some basic strengthening exercises that can not only decrease the incidence of groin and inner thigh injury, but also improve our speed and change of direction on the field. https://fb.watch/o_pEloJtoY/
Celts and Sala took place this weekend down at the natural grass fields of Kemigawa. Both these teams were placed mid table so it was no surprise that this game was going to be neck and neck. Sala had the Nakatanai brothers present, a duo that would be a threat for any team they face. Celts had legend Shosuke and veteran Shinji to lead their team with experience. Yet it was none of these 4 players that appeard on the score line. New signings for this season Kalifa Diabate (Celts) scored a pair and Yoshio Nagata (Sala) scored the single goal for Sala.
A great vibe down at YC&AC that hosted the master 7's tournament last weekend. With 5 teams signing up to play over a 2 hour period, each team played each other twice for a total of 8 matches each. Participating teams were: Celts Masters, BFC, YC&AC, Footy Japan and Fine Vintage FC. It was truly wonderful to see so many familiar faces gather and play some football with their mates once again. The pitch was filled with smiles, laughter and banter from the sidelines creating a truly international vibe.
Freshly promoted from Division 3, Nomades have quickly adapted to its new environment in Division 2. And why wouldn't they, with many of their players so young, they are bound to mold into the situation they are put in.
They currently seem to be doing quite well, recently winning against top of the table Suns FC at St Marys. Although the game could have gone either way, some of the older players on Nomades really help stabilize the team to victory.
Let's see how well they will do this season in Division 2!
BEFC Lions had a rough season last year ending in last place. Getting demoted to Division 3, their season opener proved to be another tough loss.
But what is very impressive about BEFC Lions is that despite their struggling form (only seeing two wins last season), their players remain relatively unchanged. And this is truly the mark of a football club, their players are still commited to the team despite going through a hurricane of losses.
Brunello clinch out a close game last weekend against Sala FC.
Brunello FC is a team that is run by the Oketani brothers (3 of them). The team has a strong bonding with one of the most regular turn out of core members in the league.
Pumas FC
YeBoiz FC
Clash FC
Panthers FC
BEFC
Hibernian FC
FC Sagarmatha
Eastern Capital FC
Brunello FC
Zion FC
YC&AC
Dutch FC
FC Nomade
FC International
Guapo FC
SUNS FC
Sala FC
Fussa FC
Saitama JETS FC
Kilimanjaro FC
Jetro FC
Teranga FC
Albion Old Boys FC
Shane FC
BFC Tokyo
King George FC
BEFC Lions
Lions FC
