The opening ceremony of the 38th Japan U-12 Football Championship was held on Sunday 3 August at Tokinosumika in Gotemba city, Shizuoka.

Each prefectural representative team arrived at the site two hours in advance for a photo session and to shoot a video introducing each team. All 48 teams attended the ceremony after that.

After the trophy, the prize plaque and the championship flag were returned. Ayabe Michie, Japan Football Association's Special Director, encouraged the players during her speech at the ceremony. She commented: ‘Daini Kuniya, JFA’s president, told us the young generation would build the future for Japan. This championship is the last one to be held in summer. So do your best, so that people can look back on this summer championship and think it was a brilliant one.’

The ceremony was closed with the players' oath of fair play pronounced by Kusunose Kai, the captain of Ushioe Jr.FC (Kochi). He stated: ‘I respect everyone connected to football, including instructors and referees, especially my parents, who give me a wonderful environment for football everyday. We, all the players, will be grateful and play our best for the teams that could not get through this far. We will also play fair and at full tilt until the last whistle, trusting our own teammates without giving up.’ The crowd erupted into applause.

The first round will start on Monday 4 August. The matches are promoted under the catchphrase ‘For us, there are no compromises’ Please keep your eyes on the matches.

Players Comments

Yoshiwara Leon, the captain of Hinai Football Junior Sport-club Association (Akita)
We have heavy snowfall in Akita. So we mainly practice technical skills like passing in the gymnasium in early spring and winter. We’d like to show our skills in this championship. The current aim of the team is to get through the first round. Personally, as my parents said I’d have some treat if I score, I’d like to play my best, thinking of the team’s victory first, of course. 

Todokoro Toya, the captain of Fanatico (Gunma)
As I’m a defensive midfielder, I’ve been practicing close control of the ball, including how to use my body. I’m looking forward to seeing how well I can play my style against many players from across the county. Our aim is to advance to the quarterfinals, which we have never achieved yet. If each of us does his duty, I’m sure we can go further.

Iwai Takuro, the captain of Ota Football Club (Okayama)
We came to this far, getting through the prefectural qualifying round as a united team. We’ll play our style, hoping to get good results in this championship. As the coach expects me to score, I’ll aim to shoot in every single game. I’d like to score as many as possible during this championship, so that people recognise me as one of the best players.

IWASAKI Yuei, the captain of Sagan Tosu U-12 (Saga)
I’m really excited meeting many players from all over the country. Our aim is to win this championship. We will focus on each game and go as far as we can. Just like the top teams in the J. League, we will never neglect our hard work and play as a united team to do our best.

JFA-TV

Opening Ceremony

Introducing Participating Teams

The 38th Japan U-12 Football Championship

Duration：Mon., 4 August to Sat., 9 August 2014
Venue：
＜1st round ～ Final Tournament（Quarter-finals）＞
Gotemba Tokinosumika Susono Ground（Susono, Shizuoka）
＜Final Tournament（Semi-finals / Final）＞
Shizuoka Ashitaka Park Multi-purpose Field（Numazu, Shizuoka）

» For more information on the Championship, please click here.