The 3rd All Japan Youth (U-18) Futsal Tournament will kick off soon. 

Prior to the opening of the tournament on Thursday 4 August, UEMATSU Koto (SHONAN BELLMARE), Japan's futsal national team player and former participant, sends a message to all players who will partake in this competition.

Finding joy in his debut match of the F League

――At which age did you start playing futsal?

UEMATSU Koto (Hereafter, “Uematsu"): I was 5 years old when I started to play futsal. I learned about futsal for the first time when I saw my brother, who is 4 years elder than me, played for the team called P.S.T.C. LONDRINA in Kanagawa Prefecture.

――Why did you decide to continue playing futsal while you also played football?

Uematsu: In a few words, it is because futsal has more chances to score than football. I always like to score. For example, you might score 1 or 2 goals in football, while you might score 3 or 4 goals in futsal. I continued futsal seeking the great feeling of scoring goals.

――You made a record as the youngest player when you started your career in F League at the age of 15. 

Uematsu: My dream was to play in the F League, so I was very happy when I could make my debut. At the same time, I was uncertain if I could play at the professional level. It was 2 November 2013, when I competed my first F League match against ESPOLADA HOKKAIDO.  I remember being excited but nervous while warming-up. Anyways, it was just like being in a dream when I could finally get on the pitch. I was even joyous feeling the pressure of playing the match.

――Playing in the competitive match for the first time, how did you fell after the game?

Uematsu: The top-level team of SHONAN BELLMARE work very hard every day, but F League match was even more intense. Opponents were quick, skilful, and strong. Furthermore, I felt like they weren’t playing their best. To be honest, it was more than I expected, but it was such a great learning experience and I aspired to become better than those senior players.

Selected as MVP, but disappointing previous tournament

――As U-18 player, what did you focus in your daily training?

Uematsu: Since I was physically smaller, I kept thinking about what I could do against bigger players in my daily training. I felt the same when I played alongside older and stronger players for PSTC Londrina U-18, a feeder team for SHONAN BELLMARE. 

――Aside from the fact that they might not be playing futsal in the future, there are more children who enjoy futsal 

Uematsu: I am happy for that and it is a good thing. In our generation, there were fewer U-12 futsal players. In fact, futsal was not recognised well at that time. However, in recent years, there are more futsal classes. I expect that more and more kids who will become F League players in the future. 

――You participated in the 2nd All Japan Youth (U-18) Futsal Tournament as a member of PSTC Londrina U-18, and the team finished 3rd place. You were chosen as MVP.

Uematsu: In that competition, a football team went through to the knock-out stages and our team finished 3rd place. Honestly speaking, I wasn’t happy at all to watch the final, and I still feel that we should have won the title of top U-18 futsal team. 

―What do you expect from the players who will play in this year’s tournament?

Uematsu: It is important to seek beauty in gorgeous pass work. But, in a competitive match, it is also necessary to be ‘beast-like’ challenging every play and persistently seeking for scoring opportunities while developing physical strength to protect the goal. It’s this combination of ‘Beauty and the Beast’ that is vital to the development of futsal in Japan. I look forward to seeing it in the tournament.

Cooperated by SHONAN BELLMARE

The 3rd All Japan Youth (U-18) Futsal Tournament

Thu. 4 August - Sun. 7 August 2016
XEBIO ARENA SENDAI, Sendai City Gymnasium / Miyagi
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