The 16th All Japan Seniors (over 60s) football tournament and the Senior (over 70s) football festival will be held from Saturday 4 to Monday 6 June in Matsumoto city, Nagano. These competitions aim to promote football among the older generation and encourage people to play football as a lifelong sport.

Sixteen teams from nine regions participated in the over 60s tournament. The teams were divided into four groups to play the first round matches in order to decide the top teams in each group. These teams then advanced to the final round, the knockout stage. 

Sixteen teams in the over 70s festival were also divided into four groups to play league games. Each team plays three matches in total.

Many competitive teams tend to come to this tournament. They enjoy themselves, while seriously aiming to win. The players, who have participated in this championship before, noted: ‘it’s unusual to find an opportunity to play very seriously when you’re over 60. I do enjoy aiming to win and alternating between joy and disappointment.’

The participating teams regularly meet each other in preparation for this tournament. The 14th champions, Tokyo Selections (Lazos2011), went on tour in Akita, Miyagi, Shizuoka, and Kochi to improve themselves, while playing in the Tokyo League.

The players as well as MAEDA manager of Lazos2011, learned through those tours: ‘the level of senior football has improved.’ He also commented: ‘if a team have a player in his early sixties, who can run, that team has a strong advantage. A team, who can run, is strong.’

A team needs multiple abilities, including enough stamina to play five games in three days and knowing the right timing to substitute players. In a match of 20-minute halves in this tournament, FUKASAWA Mitsuyoshi from Lazos2011 noted: ‘it’s vital to strike the opener. If we concede a goal first, we’ll be under pressure, which may cause each individual to play in a different way.’ It seems to be important to play in accordance with the weather and players’ condition as well.

This championship also gives the players some opportunities to see old friends. FUJIGUCHI Mitsunori, who took part in the 14th tournament, commented: ‘one of the most enjoyable parts of this tournament is seeing old friends, with whom you practiced hard, from work and school, not to mention from tours.’ After playing seriously on the pitch, the players promote bonding through football.

Please come and enjoy the 16th All Japan Seniors (over 60s) football tournament and the Senior (over 70s) football festival, which will be held this weekend. 

The 16th All Japan Seniors (over 60) football tournament

Sat. 4 June 2016 - Mon 6 June 2016
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