Friday 14 October saw the start of the 11th Japan Beach Soccer Championship in Ginowan, Okinawa, and the 1st and 2nd Sec. were played. It was raining on and off in the morning, but started to pour down in the afternoon.

In Group A, Sol Mar Praia Okinawa, who ended in third place last year and were representing the host city this time, met Kochi University Football Club (Shikoku/Kochi) in the 1st Sec. The experienced Sol Mar Praia initiated a counter attack from the goalkeeper’s throw in the fifth minute in the 1st Sec. SAITO Takumi struck a goal in the end. Although each player of Kochi University put pressure on to defend solidly in front of goal, the team struggled to prevent the opponent from scoring. Sol Mar Praia won their first game 6-1 with four gaols from star player Victor Yuri Watari. The team beat Loewe Yokohama (Kanto 3/Kanagawa) 2-1 in the 2nd Sec., and are currently topping Group A.

Aveldage Kumamoto BS (Kyushu1/Kumamoto), which has a number of Japan national players, and Fusion (Hokushinetsu/Niigata) were in Group B. After tasting defeat at the hands of Kumamoto 3-0 in the 1st Sec., Aomori Stallions (Tohoku 2/Aomori) faced a strong Fusion in the 2nd Sec. Aomori struggled against the Japan national players, such as MOREIRA Ozu and GOTO Takasuke, as well as Heimanu TAIARUI, the Tahitian national player and the Most Valuable Player of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Portugal 2015. The team were completely overwhelmed 10-0. Fusion, on the other hand, took the lead with 15 goals in two wins, followed by Kumamoto in second place with nine goals after two wins.

Vamos a la Casa (Kanto 1/Chiba) played against Belle Equipe (Chugoku 2/Okayama) in the 2nd Sec. in Group C. Although Belle Equipe took the initiative at the beginning, Vamos, encouraged by some loud cheering, scored numerous goals through set pieces, winning an upset victory 6-3. Dorsole Kitakyushu (Kyushu 3/Fukuoka) with Japan national players AKAGUMA Takuya and OBA Takaaki won their first game 3-1, followed by a sweeping victory 12-0 over La conquista (Hokkaido) in their second. The team are currently sitting in first place in the group.

In Group D, Avante Osaka (Kansai/Osaka) played the 2nd Sec. match against Tokyo Lequios BS (Kanto 2/Tokyo), who won the championship last year. Both teams won their first game in the 1st Sec., and played exciting matched in the 2nd Sec. The game went into the final period at 1-1. After 29 minutes, YAMAUCHI Shusei struck the opener for Tokyo, and earned a penalty kick. Although Osaka’s goalkeeper SUMITANI Usuke saved the penalty, SAWADA Shuhei scored the equaliser in the 30th minute. After 32 minutes, TOMA Masahito scored to build a one-goal lead for Tokyo for the third time, followed by another scored by SUZUKI Masato from a penalty kick. Tokyo let Osaka score only one more, maintaining their lead, and got one step closer to the final round.

Marcelo MENDES, the coach of Beach Soccer Japan National Team, and KITAZAWA Tsuyoshi, the Chairman of the JFA Futsal Committee, attended the championship along with other beach soccer-related staff, in order to enjoy the annual nationwide tournament. The quarterfinalists will be decided in the final Sec. of the 1st Round in the morning of Saturday 15 October to play the quarterfinals in the afternoon.

Players' Comments

SAITO Takumi (Sol Mar Praia Okinawa)
As we were confident with our team’s tactics, we managed to play calmly in the 1st Sec. When I scored a goal, I did it just as I had been doing in practice sessions. Although we struggled a little against the opponent’s rapid pressure, we handled it well with our tactics. We ended up in second place in 2013 and 2014, and third place last year. Since the championship is held in our local region, Okinawa, we’re determined to become the strongest in Japan. I’ve been inspired, as some of my teammates were selected to play in the national team. If we win the championship, I expect there will be an opportunity for me to join the team as well. So I’d like to get good results.

OGAWA Daisuke (Loewe Yokohama)
I established Loewe Yokohama with my friends, with whom I have been playing football since I was a kid. After experiencing consecutive defeats in the fourth straight year in the final of the Kanto qualifiers, we finally managed to grab a spot in the nationwide tournament. Our aim in Okinawa is to reach the quarterfinals and to enjoy the championship. Although we let the opponent turn the game around after scoring three goals in the first game, we refreshed to snatch a win back. When I struck the deciding goal, I ran feverishly towards the goal. We also found many areas that need work. So I’d like to work on them for the coming games.

MORI Ryo (Aomori Stallions)
Since the opponent in the 2nd Sec. (Fusion) play internationally, we faced the game trying to see how much we could display what we’d been practicing in Aomori. We did struggle against exceptional strength, speed, and technique. However, I did enjoy the match a lot. As Ozu was tall and wide, my over-the-head shot, which didn’t go over him at all, was saved by his foot. I’d like to learn from this experience – playing against world-class players.

KOBAYASHI Takeshi (Avante Osaka)
Although we performed as we planned until the second period of the 2nd Sec, we started to collapse from our mistakes, which was a shame. Since we have to go home if we lose tomorrow’s game, I’d like to reset, fix our problems and focus on the coming game. I struggled to attack due to the strong wind. Having said that, it’s the same for the opponent. As I used to be a football player, I could hold on strongly on the firm ground to fire a shot.

JFA-TV (Japanese version only)

Group A

Group B

Group C

Group D

11th Japan Beach Soccer Championship

2016-10-14(Fri.)-16(Sun.)
Okinawa Prefecture/Ginowan Tropical Beach

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