On Sunday 19 August, the final day of the JFA Vermont Cup 28th U-12 Japan Futsal Championship took place at two venues, Komazawa Gymnasium and Indoor Ball Sports Field, both at Komazawa Olympic Park Sports Ground in Tokyo. The final day featured the quarterfinals, semi-finals, and the final. Osaka City Jeunesse FC (Osaka) was the final team standing after a heated battle against Kashima Antlers Junior (Ibaraki) at the final. For the Osaka side, not only was it their first appearance at the national tournament, but it was their first time entering the regional tournament, and they took the national title in their first appearance.

The four quarterfinals generated a total of 36 goals, as each match featured plenty of action. Out of them all, it was the Osaka City Jeunesse who shined the most. Their match started off with the tournament favourites, FC Persimmon (Kanagawa) leading their way with a two-goal lead, but just before the end of the first half, Osaka’s two aces, MASUI Natsuki and KAWAGUCHI Ruki captured a goal apiece to level the match before halftime. With momentum on their side, Osaka City Jeunesse added three more goals early in the second half to take lead and never looked back, as they won the match with a final score of 8-5.

Osaka City Jeunesse carried the momentum into the semi-final match against Nishinomiya SS (Hyogo), as they took a 4-1 lead into halftime. However, while Osaka City Jeunesse started to show a sign of fatigue, Nishinomiya did not back down easily and displayed tremendous efforts to rally back, and finally scored the equaliser on the last 52 seconds of the match. The match finished with a tie, and went into penalty kicks, where the Osaka side’s goalkeeper, IJUIN Nabiki showcased a magnificent effort to stop two out of three shots to punch their ticket into the final.

The other side of the bracket featured a semi-final match between Asahigaoka FC (Ishikawa), who has been showcasing great improvements during this tournament, and the Kashima side. Kashima struck first as KIUCHI Atsushi and MIYAZAWA Yudai both scored two goals to give their side a 4-0 lead. Despite surrendering three goals to Asahigaoka’s TERASHITA Towa in the second half, Kashima continued to register goals and took down the match with a final score of 8-4. They advanced to the final for the first time since 2014, in a year which they won the title.

The final became an instant classic, as two of the ultra-attacking teams clashed, to produce a sensational match. Although both teams have played an astonishing six matches in the past three days, none of the players showed signs of fatigues. The action started right away as Kashima’s Kiuchi scored the opening goal in the very first minute of the match. Osaka City Jeunesse responded with a goal from Kawaguchi in the second minute to level the match. Kiuchi scored again in the sixth minute to retake the lead, but Osaka’s Masui followed just a minute later to equalise.

It was the Kashima side who broke the pattern, as SATO Mihiro scored in the eighth followed by Miyazawa in the ninth minute to take a two-goal lead. However, after Osaka City Jeunesse took a timeout, they suddenly erupted with four goals in the final minute of the first half. The sudden goal rush gave the Osaka side a 6-4 lead when they entered halftime.

The two teams continued to exchange goals at a high pace in the second half. Kashima managed to cut their deficit in half when Kiuchi scored in the 14th minute, but Osaka City Jeunesse retained their two-goal lead when Masui converted a direct freekick. Kashima would not give up though, as SASAKI Ryuta and Sato each scored in the 15th and 16th minute respectively to once again level the match.

Osaka City Jeunesse added to their tally on the 17th minute with consecutive goals scored by Kawaguchi and Masui to retake their two-goal lead. With an epic match being played right in front of their eyes, the crowd went wild, but the climax was still to come. Kashima immediately took their timeout after conceding the two goals, and for the third time, succeeds to tie the match with Miyazawa and Kiuchi’s goal in the 17th and 18th minute respectively. As the clock was winding down, the match was about to reach its deciding moment.

In the 18th minute, Kawaguchi intercepted the kick-in delivered by the Kashima side and calmly converted the opportunity to put Osaka City Jeunesse ahead 10-9. Combining the numbers from both teams, 8 out of 10 field players who played on the pitch scored in this match, and it was Osaka City Jeunesse who came out victorious from this action-packed battle.

Osaka City Jeunesse’s Kawaguchi Ruki, Masui Natsuki, Kashima’s NAKAI Daiki, Sato Mihiro, and Miyazawa Yudai were named as the best players award, while the fair-play award went to Kashima.

Coaches' Comment

SHIMIZU Ryo, Coach (Osaka City Jeunesse FC)
The final round was filled with strong teams, but Kashima was especially strong. In our team, the hard hitters, (Kawaguchi) Ruki an (Masui) Natsuki tends to get all the attention, but I must mention that players like (YAMADA) Takuto and (FUJIMOTO) Shun displayed an awesome job in defence. I am amazed by their ability to quickly understand and implement the strategies I tell them. We hope to implement what we have worked on in futsal into our football matches, such as the way we play in front of the goal, and the combinations we’ve demonstrated.

KOYANO Toshihiro, Coach (Kashima Antlers Junior)
Our players worked very hard, but we couldn’t control the match, especially after we conceded the goals. We reflected on all of the matches we have played in this tournament as we went along. I must say that when we started training in March, we never thought we were going to make it this far, but as we made it deep into the tournament, we started to want more. However, we weren’t good enough just a little bit. We have always demanded our player to stay eager to win matches, but our opponents had the upper hand today, and there were many talented players out there. Many aspects of futsal can be implemented into football, such as the ability to acknowledge the space, the way you prepare yourself before receiving the ball, the decision makings, defensive approach, and individual skills.

Players' Comment

KAWAGUCHI Ruki (Osaka City Jeunesse FC)
We have worked hard as a team from the qualifiers, so I am very happy we managed to win the title. In the final, there were times where we trailed by two goals, but we kept our composure and communicated with each other to take the lead. The match turned into a see-saw game afterwards, but I am glad I was able to score the final goal to give my team the victory. I was supported by many of my teammates throughout this tournament, so I would like to support my teammates once we return to play football. My goal is to play for the Japan National Team and play football overseas. I hope to repay my family for what they have given me.

MASUI Natsuki (Osaka City Jeunesse FC)
It is the best feeling in the world to become the national champions in futsal. Kashima was a very strong team, and the match turned into a very heated battle, but I kept on playing hard so that we can finish with a smile. The goal that I scored off a direct freekick is the most memorable moment in this match. After trying to play futsal, there were many aspects I couldn’t get used to at first, but as we kept on playing, I got better and better. However, there were many occasions where my passes got intercepted, so I must improve in that aspect. My future goal is to become professional and I want to become a player that is highly recognised overseas.

Semi-final: Asahigaoka FC vs Kashima Antlers Junior

Semi-final: Nishinomiya SS vs Osaka City Jeunesse FC

Final: Kashima Antlers Junior vs Osaka City Jeunesse FC

JFA Vermont Cup 28th U-12 Japan Futsal Championship

Tournament dates: Fri. 17 - Sun. 19 August 2018
Tournament venue: Komazawa Gymnasium and Indoor Ball Sports Field at Komazawa Olympic Park Sports Ground, Tokyo
Tournament Information