The 3rd All Japan Seniors (over 40) Football Tournament started at J-GREEN Sakai in Sakai, Osaka on Saturday 14 November. The 16 teams as regional representatives are eagerly vying to be the nation's best.

The 16 teams were divided into four groups, A to D, to play league matches in the first round, and the top teams from each group will get through to the final round. The opening matches of the first round were held on day one.

Kogashihara Senior (Kanto2/Chiba) met O-40 Kagoshima Selection (Kyushu1/Kagoshima) in the first match of group A. Both teams scored a goal in the second half, ending the game in a 1-1 draw. The second game was exciting and close. The game went into the second half at 3-1 to Tokushima Senior (Shikoku/Tokushima). Although Meister FC Senior (host city/Osaka) let the opponent build a two-goal lead in the first half, they took numerous shots in the second half. They struck three goals, achieving an upset victory 4-3.

Matsumoto Yamaga FC Masters (Hokushinetsu2/Nagano) were in the lead in group B. After the team scored two goals against Akita Senior 40 FC (Tohoku1/Akita) in the first half, they continued to attack and struck five more goals, winning a sweeping 7-0 victory. Although Hiroshima Forties (Chugoku/Hiroshima) won the match against Ossandole Sapporo 40 (Hokkaido1) 1-0, Yamaga FC Masters easily topped group B on goal difference.

FC Aoyama Over Forty (Kanto3/Tokyo) played a scoreless game in the first half against Diablossa Takada FC Senior (Kansai/Nara), but scored two goals in the second half. Gonohe Eto FC (Tohoku2/Aomori) beat Tomiichi Fujinokai (Hokushinetsu1/Toyama) 3-0. Both of the winners earned three points, and stayed ambitious for the top spot in group C.

Saga Selection O-40 (Kyushu2/Saga) met Docon Jack (Hokkaido2), who were participating in the championship for the first time in two years. Saga scored one goal each in the first and second halves, winning the game 2-0. Mie Masters (Tokai/Mie) won against Yamanashi Masters (Kanto1/Yamanashi) with one goal difference, and are looking for a place in the final round.

Match detail (Japanese version only)

The second day of the Championship on Sunday 15 November will see two matches for each team to decide who stay for the final round.

Players' Comments

ISHIHARA Daisuke (Yamanashi Masters/Yamanashi)
We couldn’t play our style – passing the ball around, and didn’t play well at all. As the opponent struck the opener, we were under the pressure, which was one of the reasons that we couldn’t have things our way. Despite some goal-scoring opportunities in the first half, we couldn’t find the back of the net. It’s been four years since I started to play in this team, and now we are here at the national championship.

Each individual performed well, including some who have experienced the previous championship. Having said that, there were some newcomers and we became nervous. I’d like to win the coming two games to get through to the final round.

MOTOMURA Kazuyoshi (Saga Selection O-40/Saga)
We usually work in different places in different hours, but all of us have been practicing together aiming to play in this championship. Although we were selected from three teams, we have known each other since junior high school or high school. I’ve been playing football, because my family supports me.

As Selection O-35 participated in the national championship, I thought we must aim to take part as well. In the qualifying round, we won against Okinawa Senior Selection, who took second place last year. We played as relaxed as we did in that match, which was great. We aim to win the championship. Today’s victory was the first step. I’m really quite happy.

YASUDA Dai (Meister FC Senior/Osaka)
Although we didn’t start the game well at all, we built up positive momentum for us with our characteristic Senshu spirit to turn the game around. As the teams from Osaka weren’t playing well in this championship, I was really pleased. Many of our players used to play in the Businessman League in Osaka, including some of us who have started to play football again after ten years.

We have got a strong spirit. Even though I meet an old friend of mine, I can still see the same playing style. We have some young newcomers to improve our team, and we’ve got some positive results. We won one match as we aimed to, and we are focusing on winning the next game.

JFA-TV (Japanese version only)

The 3rd All Japan Seniors (over 40) Football Tournament

2015-11-14 (Sat.) - 16 (Mon.)
J-GREEN Sakai/Sakai City Osaka
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