offending the hosts...
Futsal with the All Japan over 40s, Tsuchizaki Army Base
Every week, I play futsal (essentially indoor soccer on a basketball court, for those unfamiliar) at a local gym with some older guys I've met. There's not an awful lot of soccer going on in Akita, and in the frigid winters, it is especially difficult to keep fit and playing, but Thursday nights are usually a pretty good kickaround. Yesterday, though, the guys organized a bigger event, with closer to 30 guys from Japan's best over 40 outdoor soccer team. It took place at a local military base, so myself and a Canadian friend had to get some sort of clearance to attend, but the guys pulled some strings for us. My legs are aching today from all the running, and it was a terrific time.
Immediately after our games, my good buddy Kumagai-san, a 59 year old who can run like he's 25, invited us over for the big showdown...Friday night local time, Saturday afternoon Japan time, the US Men's National Team took on the Japanese National Team. So we sat in his house, drinking tea and watching the match. The US won 3-2, but the story line was more of a blowout. I couldn't help feeling a little bad when the US went up 3-nil, and he looked a bit dejected. It was the first time I've seen the US team on TV since I left America 18 months ago. Did anyone catch the match?
U.S. MNT Holds Off Late Rally, Earns 3-2 Victory vs. Japan