An energetic and tenacious Middle School soccer team started off their season with a tournament in Osaka on November 7 and November 8, 2014. Four schools participated, (Senri-Osaka, ISSH, Canadian Academy, and Nagoya International), with two teams entering from each school.

Coached by Mr. Gray and chaperoned by Mrs. Tootel, ISSH brought a team of fifteen newcomers and five veterans from grades 7 and 8. The players were divided into the A team led by Kenzie (8) and Rina (8), and the B team led by Lyla (8) and Maya (7).

“Coming to the game there were some disadvantages,” states Mr. Gray. “We only had four practice sessions before the tournament, and there were many inexperienced players, but as the game progressed, they (newcomers) showed superb soccer skills.”  Despite the disadvantages, both teams were able to use the information from the four training sessions, leading to the A team placing third and the B team placing seventh.

Pete Heimer, Senri-Osaka’s Activities Director and organizer of the tournament, said, “The atmosphere of the finals was all the more fun with great sportsmanship and cheering from the sideline by all teams, especially the Symbas, who clearly exemplified what it means to have fun with sports.”

Looking back on the tournament, Mr. Gray said, “The team played tremendously in the tournament. All of the players paid close attention to what their responsibilities were on the field and executed them well.”

Mr. Eyre, who coaches MS soccer with Mr. Gray, said, “The spirit of all of the players are superb and I am really impressed with how much they are improving.”

One of the Captains Rina (8), also recalled the tournament, “We did phenomenally well and Mr. Gray and Mrs. T did an amazing job putting up with us.”

The two teams have played three games since the Osaka tournament.

On November 22, ISSH played Nishimachi. The game ended with the A team winning by 3-0, Alisa (7) and Rina (8) with a shot and the B team with a tie 2-2, Amelie (7) with both goals and Maya (6) with both assists. The second game held on December 6 ended with a 4-2 win against the British International School and a 2-0 win against St. Maur. All six goals were shot by Alisa (7).

Mr. Eyre reflected positively on the start of the season, “I feel like the team is developing very well. They play some excellent football, but they still need to work on defending and attacking set pieces, but I am confident they will finish in a high position in the February tournament.”

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