The new season launched in explosive style on Sunday, August 23, with a thrilling four-match opening card setting the standard for what promises to be a fiercely competitive campaign.
Division 1: Champions Surge Early
Reigning champions YeBoiz FC sent a strong warning to the rest of the top tier with a dominant 6–1 victory over BEFC. Lawrence Yamaguchi starred with a clinical hat-trick, propelling YeBoiz straight to the summit of Division 1 on goal difference.
Potentially three new teams will be joining division 3 this season, Votty SC, Corinthians Harbour FC, Inter Tokyo FC, making it a three division league of 9 teams each. The season will be kicking off August 23 and the fixtures have been posted to start off the season. In light of this, it is essential for teams to review 1) the new FIFA rules 2) the registration rules for TML.
New Registration System for Footy Japan Competitions
This season we are looking for a long overdue shrinking of the league.
The league has expanded to its fullest last season (31 teams in the league, 32 teams in the Cup, 6 teams in the Masters league), and with such, resources were spread thin. Pitches are always scarce, referees even more scarce. The only thing in abundance is teams wanting to join the league but unfortunately we simply cannot accommodate every team that wants to join.
The final fixtures of TML were played this weekend on July 25th. Both Zion and BEFC Lions emailed the FJ headquarters saying they might struggle with players. The two teams even spoke in person during the captains meeting saying they would be flexible to change it into a friendly if either team did not have enough players. Such cooperative and positive vibes from both teams really made my heart warm and fuzzy! Fast forward two weeks later, the game saw a red card, two yellows, and a potential big punishment for egregious behavior on the pitch! Such is football!
It's been a rough season for Fussa FC and Albion Old Boys this year. Ignoring YCAC Pulse (who will not be able to finish all their games this season), Fussa and Albion are at the bottom of Division 3. The bottom derby took place at St Marys, Albion Old Boys’ home ground on a hot humid noon. The location favoring Albion, the weather favoring Fussa, both teams excited to finally get their three points!
The annual Samurai 7's took place last weekend at YC&AC. Held over two days for two age categories, there were 10 teams in the O40's and 8 in the O50's. The tournament welcomed back some very familiar teams: the two time champion Shenzhen International, the vibrant expat football community Shanghai Kickers with a team for each age category, the raging Union Pacifico, the meticulously organized SC de Macau. It also saw many newcomers: Dirty Dozen from Seattle, Penang International Soccer Squad (what an acronym!), and also some local TML sides like Hibernian FC and Albion Old Boys!.
Cheers to a new year! The season has progressed quite smoothly despite a few hiccups with multiple venues. Thankfully we are ahead of schedule both in league games and in cup progression. With about half the league games played, most teams already know whether they are fighting for the title, or fighting to avoid relegation. And thankfully neither of these is fully decided, with at least 3-4 teams fighting for promotion/relegation. Makes for an exciting season until the end!
Attached below is the current cup/plate progression.
BEFC
Eastern Capital FC
FC International
FC Sagarmatha
Hibernian FC
Pumas FC
Sala FC
Shane FC
YeBoiz FC
BEFC Lions
Dutch FC
FC Nomade
Guapo FC
King George FC
Panthers FC
SUNS FC
VJ Bridge FC
Zion FC
Albion Old Boys FC
BFC Tokyo
Corinthians Harbour FC
F. Lions FC
Inter Tokyo FC
Jetro FC
Kilimanjaro FC
Saitama JETS FC
Votty SC
YCAC Pulse
BFC Masters
Fine Vintage
FJ Masters
Kanto Celts FC
Union Pacifico
YC&AC Circle
