The 15th All Japan Seniors (over 50) football tournament will kick off on 25 June in Akita City. This time, Mr. MATSUYAMA Yoshiyuki who was a former squad player and used to play for Gamba Osaka and Kyoto Purple Sanga (it is now Kyoto Sanga F.C.) , will play in the competition as a player of KYOTO MAYUMARO FC. This is the interview about what football means to him and his excitement for this tournament.

- After the retirement as a player, you worked as a coaching staff. What made you start playing again?

Matsuyama: After I retired, I took over a Japanese restaurant which my parents had owned. Since it was very different from what I had done before, I wanted to play football again for my health and for relieving my stress.

The contract with Gamba Osaka ended on 31 January, 2007, and it was the same year when Yamashiro High School, Kyoto where I live launched a team of OB players. I was invited to join the team. At that time, I was coaching Shiga Gakuen High School and I used to be involved in football a couple of times a month. I was very busy as a trainee of the Japanese restaurant and coaching the high school team. However, I enjoyed all of them at that time.

- Did the Yamashiro High School OB team play in any competition?

Matsuyama: We played in a local league for over 40s in Kyoto. I kept playing football all the time, even though there was a time that I couldn’t play due to having had surgery on my right knee 3 years ago. This injury was originally from the time when I was playing professionally.

- Now you are playing for KYOTO MAYUMARO FC and the team will play in the 15th All Japan Seniors (over 50) football tournament. How did you join in the team?

Matsuyama: A couple of years ago, when I used to play in the competition for over 40 as a Kyoto squad team player, I heard of this tournament for over 50. This year I became 50 years old and the Coach of KYOTO MAYUMARO FC asked me to join. I am just a helping player and most of the selected players are in Kyoto.

- How are you in the team?

Matsuyama: I am like a younger brother; I am the youngest of the players. I have known most of my teammates since I was young. Some of them are ones whom I have played with in Kyoto Selection, so it is not really strange for me to play with them and it is like enjoying a good old time with them.

There are some players who are fitter than me, and their individual skill level is high. Many of them train themselves apart from our team training once a week, and some of them play for other teams and experience matches. Each of them has such a strong motivation to improve their play, so I really enjoy playing with them.

- Any special moment which makes you feel you really enjoy football?

Matsuyama: I sometimes work as a match commissioner when there are some matches in Kyoto. It makes me very happy when I can meet again with the players who are in the same generation as me in these matches. We used to play as good rivals when we were just teenagers. For example, Avispa Fukuoka’s Coach IHARA Masami was my teammate when we played for the National Team, and Gamba Osaka’s Coach HASEGAWA Kenta has played with me when we were younger. I know most of the J. League coaches and knowing about their work for their teams inspires me. Our positions are not the same now, but I feel it was very good to be a part of football for long time especially when I can talk with them like we used to be before.

- As a player, do you have any moment that makes you happy to play football?

Matsuyama: Since I spend most of my time for working being away from the pitch, running with full of energy and kicking the ball are very precious moments for me. When I can play football even for a short time it refreshes me. I cannot move like how I used to do, and my passing accuracy and kick power are not same. However, the joy of chasing the ball has never changed at any age.

- Finally, could you tell us your passion towards the upcoming tournament?

Matsuyama: What we want as a team is to win the title, so I will do my best for the victory. Just like what I did when I was younger, I want to enjoy the life together with my teammates such as having the same meal throughout the tournament. I also want to enjoy local food since I don’t have any chance to visit Tohoku area in Japan.

The 15th All Japan Seniors (over 50) football tournament

Sat. 25 June 2016 - Mon. 27 June
Akita/Akigin Stadium, Yabase Sports Park Field, Yabase Sports Park Kenkouhiroba

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