Underdogs Turned Champions: Yamamuroyama FC Makes History with Thrilling Debut Win at EXILE CUP 2024 Tokai Tournament
Yamamuroyama Football Club Wins the EXILE CUP 2024 Tokai Tournament
Yaotsu Town in Gifu Prefecture, surrounded by lush green mountains and the Kiso River, played host to the Tokai Tournament of the “EXILE CUP 2024” futsal tournament for 4th to 6th grade elementary school students. The event, sponsored by LDH JAPAN Co., Ltd., took place at the Yaotsu Sosui Park multipurpose ground, attracting a total of 52 teams from four prefectures, including Gifu, Aichi, Mie, and Shizuoka.
The tournament featured special guests Kenchi Tachibana (EXILE/EXILE THE SECOND) and Masahiro Sunada (BALLISTIK BOYZ), who participated in the opening ceremony. Sunada, a former EXILE CUP participant, encouraged the children, saying, “I didn’t win, but it was a lot of fun fighting with my friends. I’ll support you all with all my might so that you can remember this tournament when you become adults.”
The teams warmed up with the ”Kurakki! Dance” developed by the Japan Football Association under the supervision of EXILE TETSUYA. With the guidance of EXPG STUDIO’s EPI instructor Rika, the children had fun and loosened up their bodies.
[Photo]=Kaz Photography
The preliminary league was divided into 13 blocks of 4 teams each. The 13 first-place teams from each block and the top three second-place teams advanced to the final tournament.
The preliminary league began in the heat of over 30 degrees. The first goal of the tournament was scored in less than 10 seconds by Ayahanto of Yamamuroyama Football Club (Matsusaka City). After the opponent’s kickoff, Waki Keito stole the ball, and Aya, who received a pass at the front line, scored a goal to take the lead.
The Namori Soccer Sports Boys Club (Anpachi Town) was also impressive, with the whole team excited. Whenever they scored a goal, they all danced in joy, and even when they made a mistake, they would always say “Nice! OK! That was a good challenge,” and there were always positive voices.
Gujo Hachiman FC (Gujo City) played a dramatic match in the final match of the preliminary league. They scored an amazing 20 goals in a seven-minute half match and barely made it to the final tournament.
The teams that made it to the final showdown were Yamamuroyama Football Club, who all encouraged each other before the match by saying “Let’s have fun and win,” and Minokamo Covida JFC, who formed a circle and confirmed that they should “switch gears quickly.”
Yamamuroyama Football Club took the lead with their sharp passing, scoring the first goal in the third minute by closing in on a loose ball. They completely broke down the opponent’s defense, adding two more points in the first half.
[Photo]=Kaz Photography
Tachibana Kenchi, who watched Minokamo Covida JFC’s battle, paid tribute to the children who worked so hard, saying, “It was a really good match. I think it was the hottest and toughest EXILE CUP so far, but I was amazed at the energy the children had.”
Captain Terashita Oshiro of Yamamuroyama Football Club, which was crowned the Tokai champions with a 4-0 victory, said that the victory was due to “everyone running hard and cheering loudly.” He also stressed the importance of future preparations, saying, “We need to take care of our health, do everything we can in practice, and show our true selves without being intimidated even at the national tournament.”
Coach Nishimura Hayato, who led the team, also said, “This is the team’s first time participating in the EXILE CUP and their first time on a national stage, but all of the kids are strong on the big stage, and it would be a shame for them to get nervous and shrink back, so I want them to enjoy themselves and give 120% of their effort.”
After the award ceremony, the players smiled as they took a commemorative photo with Tachibana and Sunada. Sunada cheered on the Yamamuroyama Football Club, saying, ”I hope you will show your true colors at your first national tournament and grow even stronger.”
Masahiro Sunada (BALLISTIK BOYZ), who participated in the EXILE CUP when he was an elementary school student, watched the children’s heated battle as a guest. [Photo]=Kaz Photography
Text by Koichi Saito Photos by Kaz Photography