Words: Joe Takeda
On Saturday, October 14th, the YC&AC soccer team welcomed Singapore Cricket Club (SCC) to the YC&AC pitch for an inter-club friendly. The match kicked off in early evening under the lights in crisp cool autumn weather, somewhat unfamiliar conditions for our visitors from the hot humid south.
SCC began the stronger side, quickly finding a rhythm with their quick and accurate passing. Rob Gulston and Graham Dickson provided stability in the midfield, while Mauricio Nine surged forward from the back, encouraging his teammates to press. Despite being isolated up front at times, striker Yossi led the line throughout the match, fighting tirelessly for the ball against the YC&AC defense.
The visitors were unable, however, to convert their initial form into goals and as the match went on, signs of fatigue from their long flight to Japan began to show (as well as a lack of experience at night under the lights). YC&AC’s strategy of patient build-up from the back, along with the speed of their forwards and strength on set plays, began to pay dividends.
Karl, Graham Dickson, and Joe in the Clubhouse after the
SCC-YC&AC Friendship Challenge match.
Striker Rick Li eventually broke the deadlock, quickest to pounce after an in-swinging corner caused mayhem in the SCC goal area. He then broke down the right with a scintillating run, sending in a low cross to set up Kazuki Tajima to slot in at the back post and double the YC&AC lead. Li was not finished on the night, however, as he broke through one on one with the SCC keeper and finished coolly to ice the victory at 3-0 for the home side.
While Li, a forward with years of experience in the Hong Kong Football League, ignited that vital spark in the YC&AC attack on the night, the team’s performance was underscored by defensive solidity. Chino Chan, Katsuki Hattori, and Nicolas Cooper kept things tidy at the back, covering one another well and passing their way out of trouble. 73-year-old veteran Shinichi Kinoshita, who once faced off against legendary Japan international Kunishige Kamamoto in the Emperor’s Cup, used his trademark close marking to limit chances for the SCC forwards.
Overall, the evening passed with a great competitive sporting spirit filled with tough tackles during the match and warm handshakes and drinks in the bar afterwards. Ever since friends Sadao Hosogai (YC&AC) and Graham Dickson (SCC, formerly a YC&AC member) set up the first meeting of the club soccer teams in 2007, the game has taken on the flavor of a friendly international derby match, with the winner taking home the coveted Friendship Challenge Trophy. This year’s clash between SCC and YC&AC was the fifth such match overall and only YC&AC’s second victory. It was also the clubs’ first meeting in eight years, a welcome return after the travel restrictions of recent times.
“It’s wonderful to be back in Yokohama again with so many old friends,” said Graham Dickson. “Unfortunately an injury limited my time on the pitch today, but to see this match revived again, one that Sadao and I started up so many years ago, was just fantastic. It’s a great tradition that I hope to see continue.”
These sentiments were echoed by the SCC team’s manager Glyn Vince, who once played in England’s storied FA Cup. “It doesn’t matter what your age is or the level you play at—these types of events provide great memories. To travel to another country and still get to play fun and competitive football—it doesn’t get better than that.”
Plans are already underway for a sixth meeting of the teams in the near future. Whether it takes place on the Padang in Singapore or the hilltop in Yamate, it is sure to be another thrilling chapter in SCC and YC&AC’s ongoing friendly soccer rivalry.
