The 14th national senior football tournament (above 60 years old) and the third day of the senior festival (above 70 years old) were played on the 2nd June (Monday). At the national senior, a pair of the semifinal matches and championship game were held, and the teams showcased hard-nosed battled aiming at the national title.

semifinal
Chiba Shijukara SC　1-0(1st 0-0、2nd 1-0)　Osaka Senior 60
Tokyo selective squad (Lazoz27)　2-1(1st 0-0、2nd 2-1)　Hyogo Senior 60 selective squad

Both of the two semifinal games ended up so close. In a game between Chiba Shijukara SC (Chiba) and the reigning champions Osaka Senior 60 (Osaka), the latter held the Chiba side to just one shot and wound up winning 1-0. Meanwhile, Tokyo selective squad (Lazoz27/Tokyo), who made the final four for the second straight year, edged Hyogo Senior 60 selective squad (Hyogo) 2-1. The Tokyo side allowed their first goal in the entire tournament, but managed to book a spot in the final.

championship game
Chiba Shijukara SC　0-1(1st 0-1、2nd 0-0)　Tokyo selective squad (Lazoz27)

In the all-Kanto championship game, it quickly saw a scoring action. On 2nd minute, Fukasawa Mitsuyoshi, who cut a side pass of the opponents' defender, netted a shot into the goal to strike first for Tokyo selective squad. The team composedly kept relaying passes to build up their offense and would not give Chiba Shijukara defense a chance to focus on particular areas. The Chiba side still tried to have their attacks, but their offensive efforts ended in vain, including a Sakai Mitsuru long shot, which hit a cross bar, and they couldn't score. The game entered the last portion with Tokyo selective squad retaining their lead. Less than five minutes left on the clock, the Tokyo team began rotating passe in order to reduce their defensive risks, trying to win the contest. Kumagai Nobuhiko shouted to encourage his teammates from Tokyo's defensive line and it would give Chiba a room to make their attacks. The game ended as it was. Tokyo, who gave up just one goal in their five matches in the tourney, earned the championship.

Elsewhere, in the third day of the senior festival, all the teams had to play for the third consecutive days yet exhibited energetic plays, expressing their gratitudes of playing the game with their whole bodies. As we saw their lively performances, it's not difficult to assume that the tournament for this generation will be upgraded from a festival to an actual tournament.
The Japan Football Association will keep working on creating the football environments and play opportunities for the senior generation.

Comments

WATANABE, Head coach (Tokyo selective squad/Lazos27)
With the players who were born in the 27th year of Showa era, from which our team name deprived, we've come all the way to get here. Not just about that we won the championship, I'm so fulfilled with the fact that our subs kept supporting the team until the end. I came to realize the depths of the bonds between the players and this year's team was the best. I saw them chase the ball until the end in today's final, and I deeply felt their heart for the game and victory. We couldn't be any happier to win a title in our second attempt in this tournament. You cannot be too greedy but we want to try to repeat our title. Well before that, we want to send our 60-year-old power to the Japanese team who will play in the World Cup in Brazil.

FUKAZAWA, Tokyo selective squad/Lazos27
We were eliminated in the semifinals in the previous tournament, so we came in here with a strong determination to win the championship this year. We established this team last year and then set a goal to win a national title within the first two years. I'm extremely happy that we actually got to win one in our second year as I was able to contribute to the championship with my game-winning goal. You do not have many chances to play in a national tournament age my age. The senior football tournament is a valuable place that you can have serious contests however old you get. Now there's the festival for the ages that are above 70 years old, and I hope that it will be promoted to a national tournament of that generation (laughs). As much, football is worth playing. For sure it makes you happy when you score and win, but it's more appealing that when you can connect yourself with your teammates with one ball.

YAMASHITA, Head coach (Chiba Shijukara SC)
We gave up a goal from a mistake, which was rare to us. It wasn't that we got caught off-balance by them, so we couldn't help it. If possible, I wish we could have had more attacks from the middle. But we got stopped before we got there at both sides and had hard times getting in the central field. We are a little disappointed with the result. Yet it was so much fun to be able to spend the three days during the tournament with everybody. After every game, I had to think over about the members for the next games when I got back to the hotel, but ultimately I stuck to the outcomes. Throughout the tournament, I re-realized the beauty of football and it was huge. With just one ball, you can become friends with anyone. I thought that football was a real universal language in the world.

INOUE, Chiba Shijukara SC
The opposing team was very organized as a team and they did really well with passing a ball, so we couldn’t make time for us to play offense until the end. I regret that I often failed to receive balls and make good moves. I think that I was under pressure from the opposing players. I think that we had different results if we could do a little better with our defensive play against them, but I guess we got right results for our play. I will practice harder so that I can participate in this tournament again. Serious competition is fun after all because there is a feeling of tension. When I was younger, I didn’t feel delight so much even if I got scores. However, at this age, I notice myself holding up fists without thinking when my teammates get scores. Football is that much fun.

JFA-TV

The 14th National Senior Football Tournament

From Saturday 31 May to Monday 2 June
Fujieda Sports Complex Park Soccer Stadium（natural grass）
Fujieda Sports Complex Park Athletic Field（natural grass）
Fujieda City Ground（natural grass）
Naigai Pharma Manufacturing Fujieda Ground（natural grass）

Cooperation