YSCC Show Some Culture
 Footy Japan Summer Soccer 7's, 2009. Oi Futo Dai Ni, Oi Chou Rinkai Koen. Sunday, August 16th, 2009.
2 PHOTO GALLERY CLICK HERE:
Camera 1, Camera 2
Participating Teams:
BRITISH FC, NSP, SHANE FC, RAZZLER FC, FJFC, FC INTERNATIONAL, YC&AC, SALA FC, YSCC, FC HONGO, MUSASHINO FC, YOKOTA WARRIORS FC, MECCS FC, DINOS FC, VARIATORE FC, SUN UNITED, ATSUGI FC, FC BON BON, BEFC, EL DIEGO.
Referees: Vladamir Milic, Albert Ocran, Nordine Guignonne, Peter Swinny.
 Scorching weather, hot football and the occasional hot temper is the best way to describe this years Footy Japan Summer 7's as 20 teams fought hard in the blistering heat of the Tokyo Summer to the chance to be crowned 7's champions. This years competition saw half the teams being members of the Tokyo Metropolis League but the other half 'unknown' teams introduced in part by YCAC's Joe Takeda. And it was 2 of these non-league teams who ended up in the Cup Final, while 2 TML teams played out the Bowl final.
With 20 teams in the competition, it meant each group comprising 5 teams would have to compete for a spot in the knock-out stages , leaving 1 unfortunate to stay rooted within the group and to contemplate an early, hot journey home. Two of the early favorites - New Year 7's Champs NSP and Charity 7's Champs Footy Japan were paired together in Group A, while Magnificent 7's front-runners YCAC and BFC were both grouped with unknown but Young & fit looking Japanese teams.
 Also present were 2 US base teams from Atsugi & Yokota who can never be underestimated (with good reason) so it seemed like the line-up of teams was the strongest seen at any Footy Japan 7's tournament so far.
In the group stage most of the 'expected' teams made it through to the cup - BFC, YCAC, NSP with the exception of Footy Japan who looked quite disappointing with losses to Sala and Atsugi though they surprised an already qualified NSP in the final group match beating them 3-1 (experience conquering age!) The Shane machine were present in numbers, sporting 2 teams who both fought their way into the bowl competition despite the absence of talisman Neil Lennon who'd been Shanghai'd. Their presence in the plate was short lived though, both teams being ousted in the quarter finals, though it looked like that may have just been a good excuse for them to get the beers in!
The British Embassy kept a pretty low profile all day as they worked their way into the final of the Bowl meeting fellow Division 2 team El Diego, who'd just had the longest Penalty shoot-out ever to see of non league Hongo FC 7-6.
 It was the neat, accurate passing game of El Diego that persevered, coming out 2-0 winners for their 2nd silverware of the year following the Div 3 Champions Cup.
It was in the cup competition where all the upsets really began. YCAC who'd won their group with 13 points, 4 wins, 7 goals for and none against, were systematically taken apart by Yokohama Soccer & Culture Club with a 3-0 deciding margin. British FC who'd also had a decent group record, came unstuck against FC Bon Bon with a 1-0 loss, the same score as NSP defeated FC International. Sparks were flying in the other quarter final where Variatore unhinged the squad from Atsugi Base 2-0 but they fell foul to FC Bon Bon in the Semis while the young lads from NSP were also given a lesson by YSCC. So the Finals were between YSCC and FC Bon Bon and it was the former who had most of the play although both teams had some good chances. Due to time constraints, there was no extra time and so at the end of normal time when the score was still tied 1 each, penalties beckoned.
 The very first penalty turned out to be the decider, when the FC Bon Bon player hit the post. All the rest of the takers hit the mark leaving YSCC victorious, including a very audacious 'reverse' kick - sorry I don't even know how to describe someone kicking a ball from outside their left leg using their right foot (coming around the back of the left leg). Lucky for him it worked otherwise the large crowd (already half drunk) would have taken him to the ‘Crowd banter’ cleaners
So there it was, the new boys YSCC crowned champions, another 7's tournament wrapped up, many bright pink faces hitting the showers (some pink from sun, others from alcohol).
Thanks to all those who helped make this another great tournament, especially the referees who spent a full 8 hours out in the blazing sunshine - without referees, it's impossible to run these kinds of events!!
For all the results from the days football, please CLICK HERE
We look forward to seeing you all at the next FJ Tournament.
Report by Footy Japan
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