On Monday 28 May, the final day of the JFA 18th O-60 Japan Football Tournament took place at Soma City, Fukushima Prefecture, where Hyogo Prefecture Senior 60 Select Team (Kansai/Hyogo) won its second title after winning the title three years ago.

It was Saitama Senior 60 (Kanto1/Saitama) and Hyogo Prefecture Senior 60 Select Team who advanced to the Final, after the Saitama side defeated Kumamoto Senior (Kyushu1/Kumamoto) 2-0, while the Hyogo side also won their semi-final match 2-0 against Yokkaichi Football Club (Tokai1/Mie).

Surrounded by a tense atmosphere, it was Hyogo Prefecture Senior 60 Select Team who struck the first shot. Gaining momentum after that shot, the Hyogo side utilised the width of the pitch to create dynamic ball movements to create opportunities. Despite the attempts being saved by the goalkeeper and off target, they threatened the goal on the 13th and 15th minute.

Saitama Senior 60 had their moment on the 10th minute, when they broke through the right flank, coming close to scoring a goal from a cross. Saitama fought back against Hyogo’s aggressive momentum and sought for opportunities as they battled the fifty-fifty balls. In the 20th minute, they created another chance from the right flank, this time NAGAI Toshiyuki struck a shot after running into the far side from midfield, but his effort was denied by the opposing goalkeeper.

Starting off the second half, it was once again Saitama who created a goal scoring opportunity. SEKIGUCHI Hisao dribbled into the box from the left flank, allowing SHIRATO Isao to take a shot, but the shot was single handedly saved by the Hyogo goalkeeper OKAMOTO Yoshihiro.

In efforts to rejuvenate the side, Hyogo brought in fresh legs at halftime. MATSUNAGA Masatoshi who had been creating many opportunities from his wide range of mobility, delivered numbers of great passes utilising both feet. In the last two minutes of the match, second half substitute NAKAMURA Yoshitaka delivered a cross to OKAZAKI Yuzo who was left unmarked. Okazaki launched a shot from distance, catching the Saitama side off guard, but the goalkeeper SUZUKI Hiroaki was able to parry the ball just enough as the ball deflected off the crossbar.

After a hard and long fought battle, the regulation time of the match ended scoreless, sending the match into penalty shootouts. After all of the spot takers of the Hyogo side scored their attempts and the goalkeeper Okamoto stopped the second and fifth attempts of the Saitama side, Hyogo Prefecture Senior 60 Select Team took down the title with 5 consecutive shutouts.

Coach’s and Players' Comments

SATO Tadashi, Coach (Hyogo Prefecture Senior 60 Select Team)
We experienced the Great Hanshin Earthquake 23 years ago. This time in Soma city, we wanted to show our team winning the title to those earthquake victims of Fukushima and give them strength. That is why we wanted to win the tournament. We didn’t want to leave any regrets, so we practiced for the penalty shootouts, but we didn’t expect the final match to end in penalties. Saitama Senior 60 was a strong team, and our players did a great job against them. The food served here was delicious, and with the help from people of Soma city, we were able to conduct this wonderful tournament, so we appreciate all the support.

MATSUNAGA Masatoshi (Hyogo Prefecture Senior 60 Select Team)
The number one team of Kanto was very strong, as it was the toughest match of the tournament. Saitama Senior 60 was capable of possessing the ball upfront, so we couldn’t apply high pressure. We conceded mistakes in the second half due to fatigues, but we were able to keep a clean sheet. When we first won the title three years ago, we barely won it. This time we managed to win through the tournament without much trouble. We don’t want to get too far ahead of ourselves and we will restart from winning out of the Kansai qualifiers again.

TSUBOYA Takeyasu (Saitama Senior 60)
Hyogo Prefecture Senior 60 Select Team was such a strong team. We struggled to play against theme, as they expanded their plays and utilised the entire field. We trained for a long time to win the title, and despite coming short from winning the title, it was a great experience for us. The tournament may have ended, but it is a new start for us. This tournament gives us an opportunity to spend time with teammates and strive together towards a common goal, which is something we have been doing as a young child, and it never gets old. We appreciate the tournament for giving us such wonderful experience.

YOSHIMURA Mutsuo (Kumamoto Senior)
After making it as far as the semi-final, we really wanted to win the match, but our lack of training was exposed. We couldn’t take as much time as we liked to train, but thanks to our teamwork, we managed to make it this far in our first appearance in this tournament. We have been playing in a league since our forties, with various types of players. Despite the difference and speed and techniques, we can respond to each other by looking at each other’s eyes. We accomplished our goal of winning a match and finishing the tournament without injuries, so it was a great tournament. It is a work load to win out of the Kyushu qualifiers, so we will continue to work hard to come back here.

JFA 18th O-60 Japan Football Tournament

Tournament Dates: Sat. 26 May - Mon. 28 May 2018
Tournament Venue: Soma Koyo Soccer Field / Soma City, Fukushima

Tournament Info