On Monday 12 August, the final matchday of the JFA Vermont Cup 29th U-12 Japan Futsal Championship took place, as the quarterfinals, semi-finals, and final were played at the Komazawa Gymnasium and Indoor Ball Sports Field at Komazawa Olympic Park Sports Ground in Tokyo. At the final, Brincar FC (Aichi) defeated Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo U-12 (Hokkaido1) to claim their second title since winning their first Vermont Cup in 2015.

The quarterfinals saw the two malva clubs advancing through, as malva Chiba fc (Chiba) defeated S4 Speranza (Tochigi) 9-2, while malva Ibraki fc (Ibaraki) came from behind to win over Marugame FC (Kagawa) 3-2.

The semi-finals featured four teams consisting superb individual techniques and great teamwork. The match between Brincar and malva Chiba replicated the same fixture from the final of the 2015 tournament, and the two sides showcased a high-level battle. It was Brincar who took the lead with their ace MIYAGAWA Rikuto scoring two goals within the first five minutes, but malva Chiba responded with goals scored by SHINOZUKA Leo and NAKAYA Aren to equalise the match before halftime. The second half saw the two teams display a heated battle with great intensity, but Brincar broke the deadlock in the 15th minute, as Miyagawa completed his hattrick to retake the lead. The Aichi side scored two more goals before the final whistle to advance to the final with a 5-2 victory.

In the other semi-final played between Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo and malva Ibraki, it was the Hokkaido side who took an early two goal lead. Although malva Ibraki managed to score a goal back, Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo took full control of the match to win 4-1, as they marched into the final for the first time in their club history.

The final featured a high-level match that was fitting for the prestigious tournament that determines the national champion of the U-12 category. The match saw Brincar scoring the opening goal in the fourth minute, as OGINO Kaito responded to a pass delivered by Miyagawa to give his side the lead. Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo responded by scoring the equaliser in the eighth minute, when YAMANE Katsutoshi converted the loose ball following a shot taken by KAWASAKI Kanta.

The equally matched bout entered the second half with an even score, but it was once again Brincar who broke the silence, as KINOSHITA Asahi combined with Ogino to break through the right side and score the go-ahead goal. With momentum on their side, Brincar went onto extend their lead with Miyagawa’s goal in the 17th minute.

With just one minute remaining on the clock, Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo brought in their field player Kawasaki to replace the goalkeeper to initiate their powerplay. However, Brincar took advantage of the situation by scoring another goal to seal the match, as the Aichi side took down the title with a 4-1 victory at the final.

Brincar FC has been a dominating force in Aichi and appeared in nine consecutive Vermont Cup. Their U-15 team has claimed back-to-back titles by winning the JFA 24th U-15 Japan Futsal Championship in January. This year’s U-15 team featured the same members from 2015, when Brincar had won their first Vermont Cup. They have certainly proved their strengths through their individual skills and team organisation at each age category.

Following the final, each award was announced, as Brincar’s ARAKAWA Hiroki, Ogino Kaito, and Miyagawa Rikuto, Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo’s Kawasaki Kanta, and malva Chiba’s Nakaya Aren, were named as the Best Players Award, while the Fair-Play Award went to malva Chiba.

Coaches and Players' Comments

FURUI Shunpei, Coach (Brincar FC)
This year we saw the U-15 team win a title, and now the U-12 team has won their title. The players did a great job. The team colour changes each year and we are always thinking of ways to have these kids compete at the national stage. It must be difficult for the players to adjust to the changes, but they have worked hard to make the necessary adjustments each year to earn these results. I have told my players that if we lose, it is the coach’s fault, because the players have done everything they can possibly do before this tournament. To be honest, I was not worried at all. We don’t have players who are named into regional select teams, but we are still capable of competing at this level. I believe that this achievement allows other players of this generation to dream that they can also achieve something great if they work towards it.

OGINO Kaito (Brincar FC)
I am very happy that we were able to win the national title. Throughout the tournament, we managed to showcase our strengths and I am glad that I was able to score a goal by taking on an opponent with my dribble. I entered the match with the intention to always face the opposing goal and make attempts to cut into the centre. I am a centre forward when playing football, and I try to play the same way when I play futsal. I love playing futsal. I hope to become a player like RONALDINHO and Eden HAZARD, who can dribble through defenders at the world level.

MIYAGAWA Rikuto (Brincar FC)
I am glad that our daily efforts have led us to earning the national title. This was truly a title won by a team effort. In the past three years, I have been given the opportunity to play with an older age category, and the older teammates came to cheer for me, so I wanted to give them back by winning the title. As the team captain, I was committed to score goals in order to help the team win the match. Winning the national title is a huge accomplishment, but we must not stop here and continue to strive for higher goals.

TOYOKAWA Daichi, Coach (Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo U-12)
We managed to gain momentum during the first half, but we couldn’t capitalise on that stretch. It’s disappointing, but our opponents showed a solid performance in both offence and defence. We made strategical adjustments during the match, but it didn’t work against them. They were a strong team. It means a lot that a J.League youth team has advanced to this stage. It means a lot for teams in Hokkaido, too. I believe that futsal can help us become a better football team and this tournament reinforced that belief. I hope the players will feed off of this experience to become better players.

JFA Vermont Cup 29th U-12 Japan Futsal Championship

Tournament dates: Sat. 10 - Mon. 12 August 2019
Tournament venue: Komazawa Gymnasium and Indoor Ball Sports Field at Komazawa Olympic Park Sports Ground, Tokyo

Tournament Information