The 9th Japan Beach Soccer Championship has started the 1st round at Shibukawa swimming beach in Tamano City, Okayama.

Marcelo Silvia MENDES, the head coach of Beach Soccer Japan national team visited to watch opening games, motivating players aiming to be on the Japan national team. The opening ceremony being blessed with good weather took place at beach from which Seto-Ohashi Bridge can be overlooked. Powerful performances by Japanese drum players of Kojimay Yuga Daiko and welcoming flights by Paragliders highlighted the atmosphere of the ceremony. After their performances, Takaaki HENMI of La Belle Equipe, the host Okayama representative team spoke for all participants to make a pledge for fair plays, and then exiting games started at beach in a lively music.

In Group A, Sol Ma Praia (Kyusyu 2, Okinawa), the second place team in the last championship clashed with Shonan Spread 1545 (Kanto 2, Kangawa) that was in the best 4 last year. Though both teams engaged in close match at 2-2 till the final stage of the game, Kazumasa ASAMI of Sol Ma Praia shot a winning goal just before the end of the game, bringing 3 points to the team.

In Group B, Both Vamos a la Casa (Kanto 3, Chiba) and Pracia Yamaguchi (Chugoku, Yamaguchi) made multiple scores in the game. Pracia made consecutive 2 goals in the 2nd and 3rd periods, expanding its lead at 7-2. Although Vamos scored 3 points in the end of the match, Pracia finished the game with its victory at 7-5.

In Group C, Shinshu BSF Koma-Kappa’s (Hoku-Shinetsu 2. Nagano) challenged the defending champion team, Tokyo Lequios BS (Kanto 1 /Tokyo). Koma-Kappa’s has various member including both the oldest player, Kazuhiko NARITA and the youngest player, Hibiki KURATA in this competition as well as a woman player Kazuho KURATA, trying to stop Lequios’s thrusts with the team unity. The team scored 1 point by GK Hiroki HAYASHI, losing the game at 1-11.

La Belle Equipe, the host Okayama representative team had the opening game in Group D. It challenged Leon Fukuoka, Kyusyu regional champion team, with supports and cheers at home. However, the team lost goals including national team member, Sinji Makino’s one on his free kick, failing to win the victory in an opening game at 2-4.
Games in the 2nd and 3rd Sec. of 1st round will be held on 14th and then teams will be survived for advancing to the final round. The beach will be livelier with excitements.

Players’ Comments

Ryuishi SHIBUYA (Shonan Spread 1545)
I feel the sting of this defeat, as I felt confidently to learn a lot and grow up since losing the match against Sol Ma Praia at 1-6 in the last semifinal game. When our team equalized with theirs, I strongly felt not allow myself to make even one mistake to avoid losing the game, rather than tried to compete with the opponent for holding a ball. Even though we lost the opening game, I really enjoyed playing with Japan top players. I again think the national championship was extremely special.

Hiroki HAYASHI (Shinshu BSF Koma-Kappa’s)
I was excited as I wanted to know how we can play well in this big stage. Though we were no match for Tokyo Lequios, I enjoyed playing with them. I experienced many excitements, e.g. I had no choice to punch an extending ball that I tried to catch as well as I felt strong shock physically when I punched a shoot by Ozu. Since our team just started beach soccer, I hope to have a next match with Lequios after we are getting better on play in beach.

Takaaki HENMI (La Belle Equipe)
I felt expectations from local people, as we successfully holding this championship in Okayama thanks to a series of campaign to host it. Reviewing today’s game, I played too hard in the 1st and 2nd period and got exhausted in 3rd period. I will try to think how to pace myself at the remaining 2 games. I was encouraged by cheers from local people in hard and exhausted time in the game. I am really frustrated on our losing game by only one point.

Shinji MAKINO (Leon Fukuoka)
I believed my team had a difficult game against the host Okayama representative team. It took a long time for us to get used to playing on the sand of this beach and we made many misplays as our efforts and enthusiasms could not work well. Since the opponent was cheered up by supports of funs at their home, we had a very tough game. After we were caught up, we said each other that “we will play as the team having lead” and actually gained a lead as the result of play without a risk. I reminded me again that we could not easily win the game in the national championship.

JFA-TV

The 9th Japan Beach Soccer Championship

Saturday 13 September 2014 〜 Monday 15 September 2014 
OKAYAMA／Shiukawa Beach
Information