The 10th Japan Beach Soccer Championship kick off in Hyogo

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12 September 2015

The 10th Japan Beach Soccer Championship kick off in Hyogo

The 10th Japan Beach Soccer Championship kicked off its first round at Okura beach in Akashi, Hyogo prefecture, on 11 September. There's no aftermath of a typhoon that hit the nation, and the opening ceremony was held with the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge behind and pleasant winds were blowing from the ocean. The three-day tourney officially began with the athlete's oath by FUJIWARA Shuji, the captain for Dorsal M.FC/Ashiya (host).

While rhythmical music were playing, the first match kicked off at 1 p.m. In Group A, last year's runner-up Sol Mar Praia (Kyushu 2/Okinawa) took on G.C.Nerine (Kanto 2/Tokyo), who's led by a Japan National Team player YAMAUCHI Shusei.

Sol Mar Praia took a 2-0 lead but Yamauchi cut the deficit to one for G.C. Nerine. G.C. Nerine tied in the second period, but Sol Mar Praia retook a lead in the final period and ended up taking three points.

In Group B, Tokyo Lequios BS (Kanto 1/Tokyo), who are looking at their third straight championship, played against Wakayama Bros SAS (Kansai 2/Wakayama), who came in the contest with measures against the champions. Wakayama struck first when they earned a free kick from a counter.

But SUZUKI Masato scored consecutive goals for Lequios in the second period to take a lead, and then HARAGUCHI Shotaro added another before the game entered the final period. Wakayama kept play pressing and scored one back, but fell short in the end.

In Group C, two teams who have national team players – Dorsole Kitakyushu (Kyushu 3/Fukuoka) and Shonan spred 1545 (Kanto 3/Kanagawa) squared off against each other. For Dorsole, AKAGUMA Takuya and OBA Takaaki, who competed in the 2015 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Portugal, came though, and because of their hustles their team kept accumulating goals from the initial period.

Shonan spread, meanwhile, showed some acrobatic players like overhead kicks to aim at scoring goals, but weren't able to connect them for more than one goal. Dorsole won 6-1.

In Group D, Dorsal M.FC/Ashiya, the representatives of the host venue, faced Hermosa Cadera of Hokkaido. With the cheering of the local fans behind, Dorsal took a lead in the first period. But Hermosa quickly tied with a kickoff short right after. But Dorsal got two goals from SAKUMA Kiyotaka in the second period and added two more in the final period as they beat Hermosa 5-3.

Between the games, MARCELO Mendes, Japan Beach Soccer National Team coach, and some national team players like MOREIRA Ozu, were asked for autographs and shake-hands by the beach football fans. The second and third legs of the first round will be played on the 12th and the teams that will advance to the final round will be determined. The beach will be even more heated with the battles this weekend.

Players' Comments

TANIMOTO Masayuki (Wakayama Bros SAS)
It was great that we struck first as we planned. It hurt us that we gave up consecutive goals afterward, but because our defenders were blocking shots with their bodies, I don't think we allowed them to have easy shots.

After we knew that we'd face Tokyo Lequios, we came up with some measures to prepare against Lequios. We couldn't win today, but we could play in the great atmosphere of the national tournament and fought as we planned, so we enjoyed it.

FUJIWARA Shuji (Dorsal M.FC/Ashiya)
We were the representative of the host venue but it's been a while since the last time we played in the national championship, so we were a little stiff in the first period. But as we scored some goals, it took the stiffness away and we were able to play how we were supposed to play eventually.

Yet we allowed some goals as we weren't fully focused, so we need to fix that and hopefully, we'll make Sunday by winning the remaining two games. Because this is our home, our families and friends will come see us tomorrow. We would like to play in our way so we will show them good game to them.