The 16th All Japan Seniors (over 60) football tournament and the Seniors (over 70) football festival were held on 6 June. In the over 60 category, the semi-final matches and final took place on the same day. 

One of the semi-finals was between Miyagi Phoenix Soccer Club (Tohoku 2/ Miyagi) and Tokyo Selection (Lazos2011) (Kanto 1/ Tokyo). Tokyo scored the opening and decisive goal in the 2nd half and they could go through to the final. 

At the same time of the mentioned semi-final, another semi-final between Hiroshima Selection 60 (Chugoku 1/Hiroshima) and Saitama Senior 60 (Kanto 2/ Saitama) kicked off, and Hiroshima Selection 60 scored 2 goals in the first half. Even though they took the lead of the match at first, they conceded to Saitama Senior 60’s counterattacks and the match went to a penalty-shoot-out. In the end Hiroshima Selection 60 got the victory 5-4 at the penalty. “We were too relaxed after scoring the first 2 goals”, said the winner’s Coach SAKUMA Toshikazu. 

The final took place at Matsumotodaira Football Stadium (Alwin). Both Tokyo Selection and Hiroshima Selection 60 showed off their strong passion to win the match from the beginning. The match didn’t move a lot since both teams played intensely. 

Tokyo Selection changed the air at first; in the 13th minute, Seong Byung Mu got a corner kick and HOSONO Takashi headed the kick. The heading shot found the back of the net and the team scored the opening goal. On the other hand, Hiroshima Selection 60 immediately started to counterattack. In the 17th minute, FURUTA Atsuyoshi passed the ball to SAWAI Kiyonori and he smashed a shot, then the team got a corner kick. UEDA Yuji pushed the corner kick from far post. Hiroshima Selection 60 equalised the match, 1-1. 

In the 2nd half, Tokyo Selection tried to move forward to the opponent’s area by moving the ball carefully. Hiroshima on the other hand responded to them with quick attacks. In the 29th minute (each half was 20 minutes), Hiroshima’s OCHIAI Yutaka broke through the right wing and passed the ball to Yoshida in front of the goal. Their attack couldn't find the back of the net but they were very close to turn the match. 

In the 32nd minute, Tokyo Selection moved the ball from Seong Byung Mu to SAKAI Masao, and he made a deep pass to HONG Guang Soo. His straightforward shot hit the net and Tokyo Selection scored their 2nd goal. As one of the Tokyo Selection’s players FUKASAWA Mitsuyoshi said “we knew they became gradually tired from the middle of the 1st half”, they started to keep the ball towards the end of the match. Tokyo Selection won the title after 2 years. 

Meanwhile, the Seniors (over 70s) football festival had final matches on the same day. The players enjoyed playing under the blue sky, and they showed appreciation to each other for their hard work during the matches. Japan Football Association will continue to create more opportunities for senior people to play and enjoy football. 

Coach and Players' Comments

WATANABE Hiroshi, Coach (Tokyo Selection /Lazos2011)
From the first match, we had series of challenges. Yesterday, we could move on to the final round as a result of drawing lots and we were lucky in that sense. I believe that we carried that luck until we won the title, so I am just happy now. This year, we have valued the sense of harmony as a team and encouraged each other by saying “it’s a hard work, but we can keep smiling and doing our best.” The key for us to win this time was that we could care for each other and do our best. I appreciate all of my teammates. 

HONG Guang Soo (Tokyo Selection/ Lazos2011)
I am very happy that we could win the title. As a player, I have won the titles of the categories in over 40 and in over 50, and this time I could get the one in the 60. This makes me feel a sense of achievement. At the moment of the 2nd goal, I could see where to make a shot when I received the ball in between defenders. The shot successfully hit the net, and I was just happy. I am a forward player, so when I can make a decisive pass or score a goal, adrenaline bursts out and that makes me feel “I want to do this again.” This is the source of my passion to keep playing football. 

FUKASAWA Mitsuyoshi (Tokyo Selection/Lazos2011)
I played with strong passion to win this match, considering Hyogo Senior Selection 60, who had to leave the tournament due to the lots held yesterday. It is so fortunate for us to win the title of over 60 twice in such a short time, and in fact this is brought by such good teammates. We have 25 players, and some of them couldn’t play on the pitch, but they were the ones who worked well for the team by cheering, and offering massages between the matches. I appreciate all players, staff, and our families. 

SAKUMA Toshikazu, Coach (Hiroshima Selection 60)
The final ended with the unexpected result for us. The players did their best, but Tokyo Selection was stronger. In the semi-final, we had been leading the match 2-0 but conceded the equaliser towards the end. We then had to move on to the penalty-shoot-out and that made the players mentally tired which still affected them in the final. I just want to say the players: “well done, you guys did very well.” This time we couldn’t get the title, and this means we still have the aim to look up, hence I take this fact as a positive one. We will go back to Hiroshima and will keep working hard to get the title the next time. 

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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