Japan intellectual disability squad and Japan deaf squad/East Japan selected members had an exhibition match which was supported by Tokyo Keihin Rotary Club, on 5 May at Tokyo Bay Park Stadium, Shinagawa, Tokyo. There had been football matches between intellectual disability teams and deaf teams in various levels before, however this is the first official match played by two independent squad teams.

Japan Intellectual Disability Squad Team has been formed to take part in the World Football Championship which is held by the International Sports Federation for Persons with Intellectual Disability, and they are in 4th place of 16 countries at last year’s championship in Brazil. Japan Deaf Squad aims to compete at the Deaflympics which is organised by International Committee of Sports for the Deaf. They were in 14th place of 19 teams at the previous Deaflympics which was held in Bulgaria, 2013.

In prior to the match, HAMANO Takeshi, the Mayor of Shinagawa encouraged the players by saying “in Shinagawa there were deaf football matches before and it would be good if Shinagawa will be the base of disability sports”. At the pitch entrance of the players, supporters welcomed deaf players with sign language.

The match had 80 minutes and rules, pitch size and the ball were same as 11-a-side football. Mr. YAMAUCHI Hiroshi who is International Assistant Referee, selected for FIFA U-20 World Cup New Zealand 2015, judged this match using a whistle and a flag in each hand; he let the players from both teams know every time when they had any foul by both whistle and flag.

In the 1st half, Japan Intellectual Disability Football Squad and Japan Deaf Football Squad played and East Japan Deaf Football Squad played against the mentioned Japan Intellectual Disability Football Squad in the 2nd half. Japan Deaf Football Squad and East Japan Football Squad got the victory of this historical match with 2-0 (1st) and 2-1 (2nd).

Comments from Head Coach and Players

OZAWA Michiharu, Head Coach (Japan Intellectual Disability Football Squad)
For this young, new team whose average age is 19 years, this was the first match and they had a good play considering they must be tired because this is also the last day of our training camp. It was also the first experience for us to play against a deaf football team, and we had time to think about what we could do during half time break and they tried to communicate more in the 2nd half. It was very important for us to have a match with an audience. I appreciate that we had a good start for the World Football Championship 2018.

YAMAUCHI Yasukatsu, Captain (Japan Intellectual Disability Football Squad)
It was my first experience to play with a deaf football team and they were stronger than we expected such as in giving us pressure. In the 2nd half, we had to keep a good level of concentration to play against the different team to the one we played in the 1st half.

UEMATSU Hayato, Interim Head Coach (Japan Deaf Football Squad)
Since this match was planned, I was excited thinking about how it would be. It was absolutely serious and impressive more than I expected. The players should be happy that they could play in front of audience. The match had a positive sense of tension and both teams had wonderful play. At the bench, I was very happy and excited throughout the match.

HOSOMI Hisashi, Captain (Japan Deaf Football Squad)
We could keep our level of play in the match where both teams tried their best. I am very happy if we have another chance to play. I want many people to know that we enjoy football like we did today. I would be happy if we could contribute to the deaf children to dream about becoming football squad members in the future.

MATSUMOTO Hiroshi(Japan Deaf Football Squad)
I found that how we play football is different from us even though our level of fitness didn’t seem much different. Compared to the opponent team, I think we are elder and had more experience. Through this opportunity, I just want many people to now that both intellectual disabled people and deaf people live with much of energy. Also I want to contribute to letting many people to know about disability football. This is going to be the reason to work hard for me.