​Day1 and Day2, we had great preparation for own practice to know the rules in the tournament. And we played friendly tournament against elite J-League/Elite Academies (Urawa Reds, FC Toreros, Yokogawa Musashino FC) and Hsinchu Cosmons United (Taiwan), Olympic Marseille (France). We should have felt this must be a great international tournament... ! But it is still preparation training matches for official Copa Toreros dates.

​Day 3 (Copa-Day1), we moved to Tokino-Sumika-Football Camp area where locates near Mt.Fuji. This meant we finally started playing Copa Toreros U12/2020 official tournament. We were put in Group H and played 3 preliminary games against J-1 Cerezo Osaka (Japan), FC Toreros (Japan), and Yu Feng FC (China). We came 2nd in the competitive group games. This was our first priority in this year to finish top2 in the first group stage. And we got through to 1st/2nd teams round (2nd group stage). 

Day4 (Copa-Day2), we played 1st/2nd teams only group games. We played against J-1 Shonan Bellmare (Japan), J-1 Consadole Sapporo (Japan) and Gimpo (Korea). It was tough day playing versus full time professional academies. We came last in the group in Copa-Day2. But we saw many of positive challenge and massive learning from these games against top quality junior teams. In the evening, we had offical Copa Toreros party. Had lovely meals and a lot of international experiences for our boys. Boys seemed well bonded as a group.

Day5 (Copa-Day3), we were put in 17th-24th tournament out of 40 teams by day1, day2 results. We played against Zheijiang (China) in the morning and we lost by 1-2 which was very competitive game. In the afternoon, we played vs MIP (Japan) and lost by 2 penalty kicks in the last minutes. Last game of Copa Toreros was versing J-1 Yokohama FC (Japan). Our boys were very tired since last night as they playing 13 games last 3-4days. However everyone was so keen to win last game. We lost 2-0 down to Yokohama FC though it was most enjoyable game to watch as everyone had best communication and responsibility to compose every moments. Anyway, this result meant we were placed as 24th ranking out of 40 international clubs. 30 clubs are full time professional academies and the rest of participants are international rep teams from Nepal, Singapore. So our boys did really good job and made fantastic outcomes.

Day6, we were heading off to Tokyo from Mt.Fuji area to move back to Australia. We have taken some memorial pictures at Gotenba where we played Copa Toreros U12. Also had some sightseeing in Asakusa (traditional downtown in Tokyo). Looking back on last 7days, we have shared a lot of memories and great experiences since leaving Australia. As coach and manager, it is not too easy to express our gratitude to gain this experience and time to complete this international football tour. Thank you very much for all parents to support boys in this tour. You are boys were fantastic during tour and a few months preparation time in Australia. And massive thanks too for Copa Toreros officials. The tournament is always professional and educatable for young footballers even coaches too. We look forward to coming back next year!!

​9月末から10月に差し掛かる約一週間、ブリスベンのフットサルチームを引率し、東京までフットサル/サッカーツアーに行きました。今回担当したチームは、普段はサッカーよりもフットサルをメインにプレーする14〜15歳の子供達です。

東京といえば、都会の街並み観光をイメージするオーストラリア人が多いと思いますが、我々一向の目的は日本のフットサルとサッカーに直接触れる事。時々、息抜きと文化体験も含めていくつかの観光名所にも立ち寄りました。

日本で対応してくださったクラブは、どこも名門ばかり。なので、まだまだ成長途上の選手達には驚きと緊張がありました。日本の指導者や選手の方々は、そういった雰囲気をいち早く察知し、非常に心の温まる指導や練習見学の機会を提供して下さいました。

今回も日本のサッカー、フットサルの競技力・指導力をオーストラリア人の一部の方々に知ってもらうきっかけになったと思います。選手だけでなく、指導者も海を渡るような時代になっていくと思います。そういった働きかけに微力ながら力になれればと思います。

​改めまして、今回のツアーにご協力いただいた下記の複数クラブの関係者様に心より感謝申し上げます。

・三菱養和SC様
・FC東京様
・府中アスレティックFC様
・府中Firefox様
・ペスカドーラ町田様
​（順不同）

ありがとうございました！！

ツアーの詳しい様子はこちらにございます（英語になります）。
http://www.aranaunitedfutsal.com/japan-tour.html

We went to Tokyo for International Futsal-Football Tour around end of September for a week. I was leading a party of Arana United Futsal Club from North Brisbane. Normally people imagine kind of big city sightseeing for visiting Tokyo. But our main reason in Tokyo was seeing professional Futsal clubs and professional Futsal/Soccer games. Also playing against elite football academies in Tokyo. 

All professional clubs looked after us very much. Our boys and girls looked really enjoyed and they were inspired by quality coaching and their backgrounds. We definitely could see top level in the quality football and competitive atmosphere from all experiences what we faced in Tokyo.
Lastly, we really appreciate a lots football people who have been committed to our project as Japan Futsal/Football Tour in Tokyo 2015. Especially we would put big respect on the clubs what we shown below!!

・Mitsubishi Yowa SC
・FC Tokyo
・Fuchu Athletic FC
​・Fuchu Firefox
・Pescadola Machida

More detail about this trip:
http://www.aranaunitedfutsal.com/japan-tour.html