The 3rd All Japan Seniors (over 40) Football Tournament had its second day on Sunday 15 November at J-GREEN Sakai in Osaka, as four teams advancing to the final round were determined.

Each team played the rest of the two matches of the first round. Two of the groups had highly close matches where the teams battled for top spot on goal difference to get through the group stage.

Group A saw all the teams having the possibility for the advancement before the final fixtures. At the end of the first half on the third matchday, Kogashihara Senior (Kanto 2/Chiba) were topping the group as they were leading Tokushima Senior (Shikoku/Tokushima) 1-0. That happened because Meister FC Senior (Host/Osaka), who had led the group with one win and one tie, were allowing a 1-0 lead against O-40 Kagoshima Selection (Kyushu 1/Kagoshima) on the adjacent field.

Yet Meister got back on level terms late before the match ended. At this point, Kogashihara were equal to Meister on points and goal difference but behind them on total goals scored. Despite their desperate efforts for another goal, Kogashihara did not make it to the last four spot even with their undefeated group league record.

In Group D, four teams were levelled with one win and one loss before the final matchday of the group league. While the two matches kicking off at the same time, Docon Jack (Hokkaido 2) broke the deadlock. Docon were playing in their end longer but scored goals one after another in the 7th and 10th minutes. Yamanashi Masters (Kanto 1/Yamanashi), however, were successful in equalising in the first half.

The contest between Saga Selection O-40 (Kyushu 2/Saga) and Mie Masters (Tokai/Mie) finished the first half 0-0, but the second half saw a goal scored early. Saga Selection clinched the opening goal and added one more to end the match 2-0. Yamanashi, playing on the next field, scored a comeback goal midway through the second half and recorded a victory from two goals down. Yet they fell just one step short on goal difference of Saga Selection, who advanced to the final round.

In Group B, Hiroshima Forties (Chugoku/Hiroshima), who beat Matsumoto Yamaga FC Masters (Hokushinetsu 2/Nagano) with a second-half winner by a spot kick, again won their final fixture 2-0. Keeping the three point lead to Matsumoto Yamaga, who edged Ossandole Sapporo 40 (Hokkaido 1) 1-0, Hiroshima sealed the final round spot.

FC Aoyama Over Forty (Kanto 3/Tokyo) proved their quality and got through to the semi-finals. Aoyama showed an impressive performance with nine goals without allowing any goal in the total of the three matches. They qualified Group C atop after easing to Gonohe Eto FC 40 (Tohoku Aomori) 4-0 and Tomiichi Fujinokai (Hokushinetsu 1/Toyama) 3-0, who still had possibility for the next stage with a win in the final fixture.

Match detail (Japanese version only)

The two semi-final matches and the final will take place on Monday 16 November, and the Japan champions are to be determined.

Players' Comments

FUJIKAWA Hidekazu (Ossandole Sapporo 40/Hokkaido)
I made a hat trick in the second match because I was able to play how I wanted. Not only me, but we were able to play our game as a team. I joined the team in spring this year. Our combination got better gradually and we got in form after winning the Hokkaido qualifiers. I can get goals in our local senior league as well thanks to my teammates. Ossandole are diverse in ages, having over 50s and over 60s players. We will be back here and try to be a team that can contend for the champions.

ISHIDA Naoki (Hiroshima Forties/Hiroshima)
This year is team's 13th year since it was established. The team members mainly consist of teammates who were in the same team at the National Sports Festival of Japan. We hadn't played in the final round for a long time, so we aimed at it first. We are a good team this time and are going for the Japan champions.

We can keep the ball from our own end and also play on counter-attacks putting high pressure on the opponents. Of course, to enjoy playing is the priority, but we can enjoy when we get a win. Aiming at winning is important. We need only two more wins for the champions, so all we can do is just do it.

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
More information