The 1st All Japan Youth (U-18) Futsal Championship presented by BallBall was started on Thu. 28 August at Sumidaku Sogo Taikukan (Sumida City Gymnasium) and Otaku Sogo Taiikukan (Ota-City General Gymnasium). Sixteen teams come to play in first round in four groups with four teams in each group. The final round will be played in a knockout format and decides first champion team.

The opening match at Sumidaku Sogo Taikukan was between Sakuyo High School (Chugoku/Okayama) and Thank Kuriyama U-18 (Hokkaido 1). It was close game for the players who are excited to take part in all Japan championship showing their tensions and never-give-up mentality and battled for one goal. Thank FC scored the goal 27 minutes into the game and they narrowly won the game 1-0.

Nagoya Oceans U-18 (Tokai 1/Aichi), scored 16 goals in two games, finished first day by winning consecutive games. Thank FC scored 12 goals in their second match for winning and keeping top of the standings by winning two in a row. And some clubs, Kanto Daiichi (host/Tokyo) and Hokkaido Obihirohakuyou High School (Hokkaido 2) showing superiority in offense grabbed the victory by rout. Especially for Kanto Daiichi, they entertained spectators for their quick play style characterized by fast pass works built on high skills of individual player.

The game between Clark Memorial International High School who does training in daily futsal course of high school and Teikyo Nagaoka School(Hokushinetsu/Niigata) who has experience of participating in All Japan High School Soccer Tournament was high-scoring game. Finishing first half 2-2 tie, both clubs added scores to 5-5 toward latter part of the game, Kobayashi Takumu of Teikyo Nagaoka found the net for winning goal saying “I just shoot with my spirit” and put an end to the game.

There will be rest of first round game played in second day of the championship on Fri. 29 August and the clubs to qualify for final round, starting on Sat. 30 Aug, will be decided.

Head Coach and Players Comments

ARAYA Hidenobu (Hokkaido Obihirohakuyou High School)
We were not relaxed until the end maybe because of taking part in All Japan championship for the first time. They players were to retire after Inter High School Sports Festival but this event is the final one for we promised to “make this championship the last appearance” when we get ticket to the All Japan championship. All of our players are on good terms and talk about “let’s play many games as we can“. I want them to play more games for winning the game for knockout round.

KOBAYASHI Takumu (Teikyo-Nagaoka High School)
In the game against Clark, I was not sure if we can compete with them but we managed to overcome by our strong spirit. I think we could score four goals because we tried to shoot hard. We play futsal only in the winter season when we cannot use ground but we are taking advantage of players who has experience of playing futsal at futsal club in junior high school years.

OGAWA Taiki (Kanto Daiichi High School)
We demonstrated our good part in the first game but we could not play comfortably in the game against Sakuyo. Out defense not being effective, I want to adjust it and take on the next game. We as third grade students were divided to futsal player and football player form this summer vacation. It has been great deal of support given to us by large member of our colleague and parents. I want to aim for winning the championship by overwhelming others with team work and individual skills.

MIYOSHI Tatsuya, Head Coach (Okayama Sakuyo High School)
As the players belong to team B and not used to All Japan championship, we lost first game for playing conservatively not risking at all. I think the player was not calling out each other and looked nervous. In the second match, we showed our good points for taking all the hopes of players who cannot play in the game. I realized it was great to have the opportunity like this for each player to perform in the game.

JFA-TV

The 1st All Japan Youth Futsal Championship presented by BallBall

Date: Thu. 28 Aug to Sun. 31 Aug.2014
Venue: Sumidaku Sogo Taikukan (Sumida City Gymnasium) and Otaku Sogo Taiikukan (Ota-City General Gymnasium)
Event information - match fixtures,etc.(Japanese version only)