The 2024 All Japan U-12 Soccer Championship kicked off on December 26 and will run until December 29, bringing together 48 talented teams from across Japan. The tournament aims to provide young athletes with the opportunity to showcase their skills after intense regional qualifiers. Among the teams, notable players are already making headlines as they progress through the tournament.
One standout is Eishin Koyanagi, midfielder for the Sorezzo Kumamoto U-12 team, representing Kumamoto Prefecture. Koyanagi describes his playing style, saying, "My weapon is my stamina as well as my ability to receive the ball effectively as an anchor. I study my opponent’s movements to create chances." Koyanagi hopes to lead his team to victory and replicate their championship win from last year, boasting about contributing as the core player this time around.
From Osaka, Keishu Fujita, who plays as a midfielder for FC Zero, aims to emulate the success of his idol, former Spanish national player Xavi Hernandez. Fujita explains, "I want to be able to contribute on both attack and defense, creating plays with accurate passing. My goal is to play professionally in Spain one day." His family has been supportive throughout his soccer training, which Fujita deeply appreciates.
Another player, Koshiro Terada from FC Zero, is known for his powerful long kicks. He stated, "The intense physical training needed to compete at this national level has improved my stamina and speed. I’m grateful for my family’s unwavering support, allowing me to focus on developing my skills." Thanks to hard training, Terada has noticed significant improvement in his dribbling abilities as well.
Tokyo Verdy Junior’s Takuto Yamamoto draws inspiration from international soccer star Kylian Mbappé. Yamamoto expressed his aspirations saying, "Speed is everything for me. I want to take on defenders and score as many goals as possible at this championship. I’ve always been fast and have been honing my technical skills to match my speed." He thanks his parents for their constant encouragement and assistance with his soccer endeavors.
Many other young players have articulated their goals alongside expressing gratitude toward their families. For example, DF Masahiro Matsumoto from FC Kokubo noted, "I take pride in my defensive skills but want to contribute more to our attacks as well. I believe maintaining joy throughout soccer and continually improving is key to success. My family’s support is invaluable." He dreams of becoming a globally recognized player.
The tournament also aims to promote healthy competition and team spirit among young athletes. Organizers, including the Japan Football Association and local soccer associations, are dedicated to creating opportunities for these athletes to refine their talents, as well as fostering friendships among different regional teams.
December 27 and 28 will be filled with thrilling matches as teams compete vigorously to claim the championship title. Teams are eager to showcase the fruit of their hard work and training, aiming to progress through the tournament stages, leading up to the finals on December 29, where champions will be crowned.
The All Japan U-12 Soccer Championship not only cultivates sporting talent and skills but also enriches the personal development of young players, encouraging them to chase their dreams throughout their football journeys, both domestically and internationally.
