Sunday 5 June saw the second day of the 16th All Japan Seniors (over 60) football tournament and the Senior (over 70s) football festival. The 2nd and the 3rd match of the over 60s were held to decide the teams for the second round.

Miyagi Phoenix Soccer Club (Tohoku 2/Miyagi) topped Group A without a single loss, and advanced to the second round. They beat Muroran Senior 60 Soccer Club (Hokkaido) 3-1 in the 2nd match, followed by a draw with Shinshu Wakuwaku Soccer Club (Hosting region/Nagano) in the 3rd match. Although FC Nobeoka (Kyushu 2/Miyazaki) won two consecutive matches in the 2nd and the 3rd match, they finished in second place with one point difference.

Hyogo Senior 60 Selection (Kansai/Hyogo) and Tokyo Selection (Lazos2011) (Kanto 1/Tokyo) played competitively to take the lead in group B. After drawing 0-0 in the 2nd match, Tokyo Selection won a sweeping victory 5-0 against Tottori Senior SC 60 (Chugoku 2/Tottori), putting pressure on Hyogo Senior, who were to play against Kochi Showa OB Club (Shikoku 2/Kochi). Hyogo Senior struck two goals in the first half, and OKANAKA Masayasu scored their third goal from header off a corner kick during injury time in the second half.

As Tokyo Selection and Hyogo Senior tied their game and both ended with the same points as well as goal differences, one team for the second round was decided by a toss of the coin. Tokyo Selection won and booked a place in the next stage.

Hiroshima Selection 60 (Chugoku/Hiroshima) displayed their strength in Group C. They kept a clean sheet through three consecutive games, wining all of them to top the group. Although Aichi Selection (Tokai/Aichi) won against Tokushima Kabarosu (Shikoku 1/Tokushima) in the 2nd match, and against Fukui Phenix OV60 (Hokushinetsu/Fukui) in the 3rd match, they failed to advance to the second stage due to their defeat in the 1st match. The players, however, were satisfied with how they finished the tournament.

Saitama Senior 60 (Kanto 2/Saitama) and Fukuoka Rokujugara Football Club (Kyushu 1/Fukuoka) went down to the wire in Group D. Both of them faced the 3rd match with one win and one draw. Saitama Senior 60 won a sweeping victory 4-0 against SUPER GOAL 3 (Hokkaido 2), while Fukuoka Rokujugara Football Club lost to Akita Senior Soccer Club (Tohoku 1/Akita) 1-0. As a result, Saitama Senior 60 advanced to the next stage.

The second round (the semi-finals) and the final will be held on Monday 6 June, the last day of the tournament.

Players' Comments

OKANAKA Masayasu (Hyogo Senior 60 Selection)
We regularly play games in the Kobe Senior League. Apart from that, we practice against a team in their 50s, which have given us stamina. Most of my teammates use to play back when they were working. As the Kobe Senior League was assembled when I was 40 years old, I’ve been playing for 20 years now. I’m 67 years old, but ‘young’ players, who are in their early 60s, keep joining the same category. So I need to play skilfully! I believe I can still improve myself.

MINAMIMOTO Ryo (Hyogo Senior 60 Selection)
Due to the result of the coin toss, we failed to advance to the second round. That’s life, though. Thanks to OKANAKA, who levelled the game in injury time of the second half, we went as far as that. When I review this tournament, we didn’t score when we should have. I feel frustrated that I personally couldn’t strike a goal. Despite our effort, we were only slightly less strong as Tokyo Selection, who is in the lead. Having said that, I did enjoy playing serious matches. It’s rare to scream seriously or get thrilled in everyday life. I’d like to come back to this tournament.

WACHI Akira (Tokyo Selection/Lazos2011)
A game in a nationwide championship is completely different from our usual ones. I could see my teammates were nervous. We were relieved to book a place in the second round. As a goalkeeper, I know we couldn’t be beaten, unless I conceded a goal. I do feel scared, though, when an opponent aims at the corner of the goal! It may sounds too dramatic, but I prepare myself that it may be my very last play whenever I have to react to high balls. It’s a tough position, but it’s truly rewarding and I cannot give it up.

SUZUKI Masaki (Kochi Showa OB Club)
Although I live in Kanagawa, one of my friends asked me to play in Kochi Showa OB Club this time. Throughout the tournament, we conceded numerous goals. It was tough as a goalkeeper. If we were intercepted in a bad way, the opponent could take their time to take a shot. So it was difficult to protect the goal. I feel great whenever I can save superbly. Personally, the thrill is more than the one when a forward strike a goal. It means a lot to play at this high a level in this championship.

JFA-TV (Japanese version only)

The 16th All Japan Seniors (over 60) football tournament

Sat. 4 June 2016 - Mon 6 June 2016
[Matsumoto City, Nagano] Shinshu Skypark (Alwin), Shinshu Skypark Turf Ground, Shinshu Skypark Multipurpose Field, Matsumoto City Karigane Soccer Field, Matsumoto City Soccer Field (Nagano Football Centre)
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