The death of Footy Japan's founding partner and ex British Football Club captain Jonathan Day has sent shockwaves across the international footballing community in Tokyo, especially coming so soon after the loss of referee Kazu.
Jon was brought into the BFC at the turn of the millenium by me (Sid Lloyd) then BFC captain, in what was the start of a great friendship. Together with Jon's brother Rob & my wife Paco, we planned the overhaul of international amateur...
Brunello have been absolutely smashing it this season. I've seen three of their games and they are mostly the same players since two years ago. So either they've begun to click together or someone needs to be checking them for doping! Their football is clean, crisp passing football netting them great results so far and looking on track for promotion to division 1. They've even managed to take out Pumas in the cup game, a task that can't simply be chalked up to luck....
The sudden death of Masakazu Urushiyama has come as a great shock to the international football community of Tokyo. Kazu, as we all know him, has been an integral part of Footy Japan Competitions since the start of the League back in 2004. He has been our longest serving referee, officiating over matches in all 21 seasons and also childrens matches for British Football Academy. His friendly manner, unbiased officiating and humbleness to admit when he was at fault ('My bad!') made him a favourite amongst many captains and players. Without his dedication to football & refereeing, travelling to far off pitches in all weathers to take charge over 22 players who question or moan about every decision, the Tokyo Metropolis League would have struggled to complete all the fixtures in many seasons. He has helped bring & nurture new referees in the league and will leave a void that is difficult to fill. He will be hugely missed by everyone involved in the league and FJ competitions. Our hearts go out to his family, friends, children and grandchildren. May you rest in peace Kazu.
Typically Japanese teams in this league don't have the "fight" in them compared to a lot of the foreigners. And sometimes this does make or break the results of the game. Zion have traditionally been a Japanese side but have recently become more fiesty, mostly because of their two foreign players, Jorge and Dino. Frequently, Jorge can be seen (or rather, heard) screaming at his team mates to fight for the 50/50 ball and to aggressively try to take a shot rather than...
Some rain last weekend but fortunantely nothing too heavy to flood the pitches used.
10 cup games were played over the weekend, with various surprising results.
Nomades put up a valiant effort against Hibs but the kings of TML prevailed in a 2-1 victory with both goals scored by the Japanese R9, Kan Ujihashi. Most of the other Division 1 teams won their games comfortably including Pumas and BEFC. However, a shocking turn of events for FC International and...
It's been a relatively warm season. The December and January months has been free of snow... until last weekend!
Arguably one of the coldest fixtures of the year with thunder in the background and snow falling down. Miserable weather but the field was in playing conditions, therefore the games went on! These are the type of games were a mysterious illness will often take over the TML with many faint hearted players claiming a sudden change in their health or plans...
It's been a relatively smooth TML season this year, teams have put up and adapted well to the "no rescheduling fixtures that are posted" rule. Perhaps teams needed this rule all along to create a sense of urgency in actually fielding a team. Whatever the reason, it's been doing everyone in the league wonders. In the past, canceled games ruined plans for the non-cancelling opponents and referees. On top of this, it wasted countless of pitches. Only one team have managed to...
With the cold season settling in, injuries are bound to occur.
Footy Japan partners Club 360 are experts in injury prevention and rehabilitation, and will be sharing simple useful injury and performance tips with you over the coming months.
In the following video series Sam Gilbert and Alan Pang cover some basic strengthening exercises that can not only decrease the incidence of groin and inner thigh injury, but also improve our speed and change...
Eastern Capital FC
Pumas FC
YeBoiz FC
Zion FC
Clash FC
BEFC
Panthers FC
FC International
Hibernian FC
Kanto Celts FC
FC Sagarmatha
SUNS FC
Sala FC
Lions FC
Brunello FC
YC&AC
Dutch FC
FC Nomade
King George FC
BEFC Lions
Fussa FC
Saitama JETS FC
Kilimanjaro FC
Jetro FC
Albion Old Boys FC
Shane FC
BFC Tokyo
Guapo FC
