Every time a Division 1 team wins the Robert Walters TOTW award I always seem to talk about how open the league is. This weekend was no different and this report will go along these usual lines.....Division 1 is wide open.
Pumas defeated Celts 7-1 which was impressive, Swiss finally got a team together and defeated Zion 5-2, FCI continued their good form but this weeks TOTW award goes to Panthers FC.
It's been a tough few weeks for Sala FC.
The death of a former team mate was closely followed by a penalty shootout defeat to Albion Old Boys in the FJ Cup.
Sunday saw them take on Dutch FC who had beaten them 3-1 back in September. Sala achieved something during this game that I doubt many teams do throughout the season. They scored 4 headed goals.
The headers were scored by Fuyuki Nakatani and Anthony Hall. 2 each...Not bad lads!
Division 1 is looking as open as it ever has since I took over the league in 2011. The top 6 are separated by 3 points as are the bottom 4 teams.
Saturday saw Musketeers FC face Panthers FC in a relegation 6 pointer. Both teams were coming of convincing FJ Cup victories. Panthers defeated Dutch 4-2 and Musketeers knocked 11 past Vags.
Dr Guido Walter Geisler 52yrs - SALA FC Player Coach Captain - PHD Sports Psychology University of Toronto - Associate Professor University of Tsukuba (TIAS) - UEFA B Coaching badge - Nationality German/Canadian
I first met Guido early 1997 in Tsudanuma. Guido had just started at Nova and I was paired to mentor him in his first demo lesson....
Before Saturdays game Eastern Capital had started their debut season well with 2 victories and 1 defeat. At Shin Suna they faced a King George team that was unbeaten in this calander month!
The game started on a beautiful evening and Eastern Capital were on the front foot. Knocking the ball around like they had played together for years.
They took a deserved lead through a fine move with Kazuki Kodama striking the ball well into the bottom corner.
The FJ TOTW award started towards the end of TML14. Every team has gone on and won it once if not more. The first ever winners were non other than King George FC. That maiden TOTW award was almost the last time KGFC won anything!
Since that award, KGFC have always turned up early for matches with a large squad. That was until Sunday afternoon for their match v Albion Old Boys. The squad mail sent out last Thursday showed a solid 14 man squad. 10 minutes before KO 9 brave players were warming up at St Marys waiting for their 2 center-halves to arrive.
Football can be a cruel game is so many ways yet it also brings the best out of teams and players.
Saturday afternoon Hachioji Park hosted a bit of everything. First up saw Swiss Kickers play FC International in a 4-4 thriller. The second game was Real Celts v Dutch FC. Half time saw both keepers on top as it was 0-0.
Having won 9 Division 1 titles since TML's inception in 2002, Tokyo Hibernian are not use to losing. After their opening 3 matches they had only collected 1 point. Was the club in crisis?
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
