The six teams were divided into two groups, and the first game in each group ended in a draw. Hosei F.C. had to settle for a 1-1 draw with Yellow Submarine, despite dominating the game while Wallabies and F.I.C. fought out a tough 0-0 draw. The second round of games brought more goals; Hosei F.C. clinched their place in the semi-finals with a 3-1 win over Dosukoi, and their Hosei classmates, F.I.C. joined them after defeating UN-united
2-0. With two more place up for grabs in the final round of group games, Wallabies scored their three goals against UN-united in the first three minutes to claim top spot in Group B, but Yellow Submarine, needing only a point to progress, lost 1-0 to Dosukoi (whose fans were very happy with the result!).
After missing out on the semi-finals, Yellow Submarine took out their frustration on poor UN-united, hammering three past the red team, but the main part of the competition was much closer. Of the four semi-finalists, three were from Japan, with only the multi-national Wallabies having a chance to stop a Japanese victory.
The first semi-final was fast and frenetic with plenty of classy passing and shots on goal. Hide and Toshi were very solid at the back for Hosei F.C., and Ken was orchestrating the F.I.C. counter attacks. However, neither side could break the deadlock, so it was time for a penalty shoot-out. With the score at 4-3 to Hosei F.C. (and dozens of screaming fans on the balcony), F.I.C.'s final penalty taker could only hit the post, sending the opponents into the Grand Final.
While the second semi-final lacked the energy of the first, good performances from Hiroki of Dosukoi and Dongsu of Wallabies almost made the difference. Again, no goals were scored, so the game was decided by penalties. After three penalties each, Dosukoi led 3-1, and it looked as if Wallabies were down and out. However, Mohammed stepped up and saved the next two penalties, before saving another two in sudden death to drag his team over the line!
The two disappointed semi-final losers played a short game for third place. Hiroki again drove his team forward, and Dosukoi won 2-0 (thanks in part to a very bad refereeing decision... Sorry, F.I.C.!).
And so on to the final. The Hosei boys went into the game as hot favourites, and they lived up to that reputation in the first five minutes. Despite the early domination, they only managed one goal, thanks mainly to the heroics of Mohammed in the Wallabies goal. Eventually, Wallabies managed to get Dongsu involved in the game, and, after hitting the post a couple of minutes earlier, he scored the equaliser with a deft touch which fooled the goalkeeper and the defenders. Unfortunately for Wallabies, Hosei F.C. stepped up after this and dominated the rest of the game. With a few minutes to go, Hide surged down the right and thumped a shot past Mohammed to give Hosei F.C. the lead again, and (after one false start!) the Japanese boys were able to celebrate the victory with their jubilant fans!
The choice of best player was relatively easy to make. Mohammed had worked wonders in the Wallabies goal towards the end of the tournament, and Dongsu had worked extremely hard to get his team close to the title, but Hide had played a captain's role for Hosei F.C. throughout the tournament and was a worthy recipient of the medal; well done!
Team of the tournament:
Mohammed (Wallabies)
Hide (Hosei F.C.)
Toshi (Hosei F.C.)
Hiroki (Dosukoi)
Dongsu (Wallabies)
Substitute:
Ken (F.I.C.)
Well done to Hosei F.C.; it was just a shame that Arab Team were unable to compete this time. Perhaps we could organise a champion of champions match in 2006...