 Jorge Runs Off with Cup (Literally).
Footy Japan New Year Soccer 7's, 2010.
Oi Futo Dai Ni, Oi Chou Rinkai Koen.
Sunday, January 3rd, 2010.
3 PHOTO GALLERY CLICK HERE:
Gallery 1, Gallery 2, Gallery 3
Participating Teams:
BFC Vagabonds, Yokota Warriors, Shane FC, YC&AC, IFG Panthers, Hibernian FC, NSP, HellCats, Variatore, King George, RW Clash, Sala FC, Swiss Kickers, IFG Pumas, FC International, Inter Fussa.
Referees: Vladamir Milic, Pietro Cristo, Albert Ocran, Nordine Guignoune & Orlando Torres.
Jorge 'the Mexican Maestro' Kuriyama scored twice leading FC International to a 3-0 win over YC&AC in this years New years 7's final. He then picked up the cup at the award ceremony and nobody has seen either since. Well we've come to expect such things from the flamboyant Latino and I don't think his team will mind after his well placed header set FC International up for their first ever Footy Japan 7's title.
Last Years Champions NSP once again looked very good for going all the way during their group matches, beating Hibs, Sala and Swiss kickers with some grreat football from their young players but they came unstuck in the 1/4 Finals vs IFG Panthers. The Division 2 leaders held the young NSP boys at bay with a well organized, if slightly defensive strategy. After a 0-0 draw, Panthers pounced in the PK shootout winning 6-5 sending the kids home for an early bath.
In the semi-finals, Panthers tried the same tactics against FC International, who'd fought off RW Clash 2-0 in the previous match, and things were looking like they'd go to PKs once again. Both keepers had done well to keep the match scoreless but FC International's constant pressure paid off a minute from time when they poked in a parried shot to go into the finals.
On the other side of the knockout rounds, King George were slain by the fiery Hellcats in the quarter-finals and YC&AC sent Hibs home. It was YC&AC who made it through to the Finals though with a 2-0 win over the cats in a hard fought contest.
So, two of TML Division 1's top strikers faced off in the finals, Sukui Ono and Hide Yoshioka, who only last year had been strike partners in FC international's domination of Division 2.
 It was Inter's El Capitano, Jorge who garnered the honors in this match however, scoring twice to Ono's once in their 3-0 victory, starting with a well placed header in at the far post. The YC&AC team, made up of many of their younger members, battled hard trying to gain a foothold but to no avail. With men being pushed forward looking for the equalizer, FC International hit on the break and could have scored a couple more if not for the heroics of young (16) Zack in goal. A well deserved Victory for the team from Roppongi, finishing the tournament with a record of 16 goals for and only 1 against.
In the Plate final it was Sala FC who faced off with Swiss Kickers. Neither team has been doing too well in the league this season, so it was good to see them having the chance to get some silverware in the cabinet. A single goal by Sala debutant Selwyn Walsh was enough to seal the win for the Chiba boys in a very tight match and give them their first trophy since winning the plate in the FJ Cup competition last season.
So another 7's tournament completed on a beautiful sunny winters day. It was great to see all of the matches played in very good spirits and not a single yellow card needed to be shown. Schedules ran on time and nobody had to wait around for long periods, a great days football for all!
Thank you to all the referees for giving up their time on a very cold day & for all the teams who made this an excellent event.
For all the results from the days football, please CLICK HERE
We look forward to seeing you all at the next FJ Tournament which will be held at YC&AC on Monday March 22nd (National Holiday).
Report by Footy Japan
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