The JFA 46th U-12 Japan Football Championship will kick off on Monday 26 December.

The 48 teams (with one additional slot allocated for Saitama, the prefecture of last year’s champions) that have won their respective prefectural qualifiers will take part in the four-day competition in Kagoshima Prefecture to determine the best team in Japan.

Last year, Regista FC (Saitama) defeated Kashima Antlers Junior (Ibaraki) in the final to win the title for the first time in six years. Regista has won the Saitama prefectural qualifier again this year, as they seek to win the national title in back-to-back years, which has only been achieved twice in the 45 year history of the tournament.

Former champions like Konan Minami SS (Saitama 2), J-club youth teams, and promising local clubs are all vying for the top spot in Japan. Please stay tuned to find out how the competition plays out.

Interview

Here, we interviewed Mr. ABE Yuki (JFA Role model coach), who retired as a player after the 2021 season and became an ambassador for this tournament, about his time in primary school and his expectations for this year's tournament.

○This interview was conducted on 17 October 2022.

――Tell us about your encounter with football.

ABE　I started when I was six years old, influenced by my older brother who started playing before me, and by a friend from kindergarten who asked if I wanted to play football together. I used to play attacking positions back then because I was faster than most kids.

――I have the impression that you were a calm player during your professional career, but what kind of player were you as a child?

ABE　I was a cry-baby. I cried when I lost a game or when things didn’t go well during practice. I was also a very competitive child who did not express my emotions often, which I think was difficult to deal with.

――What was the Japan U-12 Football Championship (now the JFA U-12 Japan Football Championship) like for you as a child?

ABE　Of course, it was a competition that I had always wanted to be a part of. Back then, the tournament was held at Yomiuri Land, and we used to watch it on TV. My team, Ichikawa FC, played in the tournament a year before. YAMAMOTO Hideomi-san (Ventforet Kofu) was among the team who reached the semi-finals, which greatly inspired us, but we were eliminated at the Chiba prefectural qualifiers. I remember we couldn’t even reach the quarterfinals.

――Do you remember how you felt when you lost in the qualifiers?

ABE　I recall being extremely disappointed because we completely dominated the match but lost the match 0-1 after conceding a fluky goal from our own mistake. But I think it’s great that there are competitions like this where kids in primary school can set ambitious goals and seriously commit to achieving them.

――As a coach currently working in youth development, how would you characterise the current crop of young players?

ABE　There are undoubtedly more talented players than when we were young, but I believe it is my responsibly to make them realise that being good alone is not enough.

――Specifically, what do you think is needed?

ABE　Players in this age group have a propensity for selfishness, so they need to learn how to think what’s best for the team. They also need to understand that if they only rely on good players, they won't be able to improve as players. Players need to be aware of the importance of running in football, otherwise the gap between them and those who can run will widen. I want them to consistently look for new challenges because if they want to improve they should be open to taken on a variety of challenges. Of course, I have a lot to work on and step up as a coach myself, so I hope we can grow together.

――The JFA U-12 Japan Football Championship starts on 26 December. What are your expectations for the tournament?

ABE　I think there are going to be a lot of heroes, a lot of players rising to the occasion, and that's why I want them to showcase what they are capable of, or even beyond what they have. I retired after the 2021 season, but the history of football will go on and new players will continue to emerge. I want everyone taking part in this tournament to understand that they could all end up being the next big thing. I don't want to put too much pressure on them, but I do want them to know that everyone will be accountable for the direction Japanese football will be headed in the future.

――What kind of play do you want the players to show?

ABE　Participating in this tournament should not be their ultimate goal. Instead, I want them to think how to play as a team and showcase their best performance on the pitch. It's a chance to show a lot of people how you play and what kind of team you are, so I want everyone to give their all and play passionately in every match. There will be a lot of people watching, so I hope you can put on a performance that will thrill everyone.

――Is there anything you would like to tell the parents and coaches who support the players?

ABE　They all work so hard to support their children, and they are sometimes even more passionate about football than the players. However, excessive noise can be overwhelming for the players, so while you support them wholeheartedly, give them some downtime after the game so they can unwind. As for the coaches, I would like them to oversee their players enjoying themselves and smiling while they play, and to feel their growth as they chase the ball as hard as they can. I think that providing a platform where the players can have fun is something that will help them in the future.

JFA 46th U-12 Japan Football Championship

Tournament Dates: Mon. 26 - Thu. 29 December 2022
Venues:
1st Round/Round of 16
Kagoshima Fureai Sportsland (Kagoshima)

Quarterfinals
Kamoike Auxiliary Stadium (Kagoshima)

Semi-Finals/Final
Shiranami Stadium (Kagoshima)

Tournament Information