http://greg-sensei-japan.smugmug.com/gallery/1185311_Kn4oW/ Every Monday and Thursday I play footy with a local team in the village. The Japanese don't understand the word football so sadly I'm forced to refer to the game as soccer. The pitch we play on is sand-based like every other one I've seen in Japan. It's alright to play on but means it gets swamped whenever it rains so we often have to cancel practice. I once burst out laughing when Kim asked me if footballers don't play in the rain but in Japan it actually seems to be the case! The standard is pretty high although my resistance to the cold weather seems to impress them more than my ability. Half of the guys come dressed as if they're about to embark on an artic expedition! When I arrive wearing shorts and a t-shirt I'm usually met with several cries of "Oh Sugoi!!!!!" Basically meaning "that's amazing!" The training itself is a good laugh. We usually do drills for about 30 minutes then play lots of short 5 minute matches. The losing side always has to do a set of press-ups or sit-ups. The number you have to do depends how severly your team got thrashed. Like with decision in Japan, the teams are chosen by playing 'Paper, scissors, stone.' Sometimes there's 10 of us playing at the same time. It confuses the hell out of me but someone usually lets me know what team I'm on once it's all over! UPDATE Sadly, as of the middle of April, I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to play football again. At least not for a very long time. I injured myself quite badly on Monday and it's going to be 3 weeks at least until I can walk without crutches. My ankle ligaments in my right foot have been ruptured so I'm not too confident about playing before I leave Japan. I don't have anywhere near all the photos of the team members but should see all of the lads again before I leave. http://www.smugmug.com/img/feed-icon.png Other Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 -0800 Mon, 06 Feb 2006 17:37:05 -0800 http://www.smugmug.com/ Copyright 2010, the copyright holder of each photograph. Some portions copyright SmugMug. All rights reserved. http://greg-sensei-japan.smugmug.com/Other/Football-Team/DSCF0333/55442043_kgWxq-Ti.jpg http://greg-sensei-japan.smugmug.com/gallery/1185311_Kn4oW/ http://greg-sensei-japan.smugmug.com/Other/Football-Team/1185311_Kn4oW#55442037_nfnN6 <p><a href="http://greg-sensei-japan.smugmug.com">greg-sensei-japan</a><br />Name: Yokoyama. Nickname(s): Yoko-chan, Figo, "Hard-mark". Profile: The most competitive player there and responsible for many a grazed limb. Usually my grazed limbs, in fact. A good guy tho ...</p><p><a href="http://greg-sensei-japan.smugmug.com/Other/Football-Team/1185311_Kn4oW#55442037_nfnN6" title="Name: Yokoyama. Nickname(s): Yoko-chan, Figo, "Hard-mark". Profile: The most competitive player there and responsible for many a grazed limb. Usually my grazed limbs, in fact. A good guy tho ..."><img src="http://greg-sensei-japan.smugmug.com/Other/Football-Team/DSCF0329/55442037_nfnN6-Th.jpg" width="150" height="113" alt="Name: Yokoyama. Nickname(s): Yoko-chan, Figo, "Hard-mark". Profile: The most competitive player there and responsible for many a grazed limb. Usually my grazed limbs, in fact. A good guy tho ..." title="Name: Yokoyama. Nickname(s): Yoko-chan, Figo, "Hard-mark". Profile: The most competitive player there and responsible for many a grazed limb. Usually my grazed limbs, in fact. A good guy tho ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> Other Mon, 06 Feb 2006 17:37:03 -0800 nobody@smugmug.com (greg-sensei-japan) http://greg-sensei-japan.smugmug.com/Other/Football-Team/DSCF0329/55442037_nfnN6-Th.jpg 2005-11-07 08:46:12 483204b4d1e4a589a1e01ab0101638ee 15ee8a68ae9c2789db4db446c38230da fea90d344ef99995872dd9830f985c3e bc2d3b70577c129aa84b942dd8315d63 978c69e093a629b07579730ee94e4eac e96da9285a9cd923970b5994bfb4632b 50b197328214e6058f8be8c03bca96c7 3d84a4664304b87d204b4db3f7ed21d5 2ac7466526df808e77bec3744e585bc1 Name: Yokoyama. Nickname(s): Yoko-chan, Figo, "Hard-mark". Profile: The most competitive player there and responsible for many a grazed limb. Usually my grazed limbs, in fact. A good guy tho ... <p><a href="http://greg-sensei-japan.smugmug.com">greg-sensei-japan</a><br />Name: Yokoyama. Nickname(s): Yoko-chan, Figo, "Hard-mark". Profile: The most competitive player there and responsible for many a grazed limb. Usually my grazed limbs, in fact. A good guy tho ...</p><p><a href="http://greg-sensei-japan.smugmug.com/Other/Football-Team/1185311_Kn4oW#55442037_nfnN6" title="Name: Yokoyama. Nickname(s): Yoko-chan, Figo, "Hard-mark". Profile: The most competitive player there and responsible for many a grazed limb. Usually my grazed limbs, in fact. A good guy tho ..."><img src="http://greg-sensei-japan.smugmug.com/Other/Football-Team/DSCF0329/55442037_nfnN6-Th.jpg" width="150" height="113" alt="Name: Yokoyama. Nickname(s): Yoko-chan, Figo, "Hard-mark". Profile: The most competitive player there and responsible for many a grazed limb. Usually my grazed limbs, in fact. A good guy tho ..." title="Name: Yokoyama. Nickname(s): Yoko-chan, Figo, "Hard-mark". Profile: The most competitive player there and responsible for many a grazed limb. Usually my grazed limbs, in fact. A good guy tho ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> Other greg-sensei-japan greg-sensei-japan http://greg-sensei-japan.smugmug.com/Other/Football-Team/1185311_Kn4oW#55442039_LhJFa <p><a href="http://greg-sensei-japan.smugmug.com">greg-sensei-japan</a><br />Name: (I always forget) Nickname: Crazy Boy. A real character. Whenever he misses an easy chance he usually runs off into the distance screaming his head off.</p><p><a href="http://greg-sensei-japan.smugmug.com/Other/Football-Team/1185311_Kn4oW#55442039_LhJFa" title="Name: (I always forget) Nickname: Crazy Boy. A real character. Whenever he misses an easy chance he usually runs off into the distance screaming his head off."><img src="http://greg-sensei-japan.smugmug.com/Other/Football-Team/DSCF0330/55442039_LhJFa-Th.jpg" width="150" height="113" alt="Name: (I always forget) Nickname: Crazy Boy. A real character. Whenever he misses an easy chance he usually runs off into the distance screaming his head off." title="Name: (I always forget) Nickname: Crazy Boy. A real character. Whenever he misses an easy chance he usually runs off into the distance screaming his head off." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> Other Mon, 06 Feb 2006 17:37:04 -0800 nobody@smugmug.com (greg-sensei-japan) http://greg-sensei-japan.smugmug.com/Other/Football-Team/DSCF0330/55442039_LhJFa-Th.jpg 2005-11-07 08:46:49 a050a7b1649367daa4e1ead3c7685df7 fd872bc89470348cc5ca53c1801a347c 77d34d478ce467a8d995b2c073d38ac1 036c3f7b1685e972f6077f62dadc582d 1edbedc88f4bde32c8c937d145109a0c 40f5ecacabf10c13d74788c0e1e8e13e 3b26ecd1b3eb89df752e9217562552d8 0c49a4ecf863b067c708f7a2590505a3 Name: (I always forget) Nickname: Crazy Boy. A real character. Whenever he misses an easy chance he usually runs off into the distance screaming his head off. <p><a href="http://greg-sensei-japan.smugmug.com">greg-sensei-japan</a><br />Name: (I always forget) Nickname: Crazy Boy. A real character. Whenever he misses an easy chance he usually runs off into the distance screaming his head off.</p><p><a href="http://greg-sensei-japan.smugmug.com/Other/Football-Team/1185311_Kn4oW#55442039_LhJFa" title="Name: (I always forget) Nickname: Crazy Boy. A real character. Whenever he misses an easy chance he usually runs off into the distance screaming his head off."><img src="http://greg-sensei-japan.smugmug.com/Other/Football-Team/DSCF0330/55442039_LhJFa-Th.jpg" width="150" height="113" alt="Name: (I always forget) Nickname: Crazy Boy. A real character. Whenever he misses an easy chance he usually runs off into the distance screaming his head off." title="Name: (I always forget) Nickname: Crazy Boy. A real character. Whenever he misses an easy chance he usually runs off into the distance screaming his head off." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> Other greg-sensei-japan greg-sensei-japan http://greg-sensei-japan.smugmug.com/Other/Football-Team/1185311_Kn4oW#55442042_VUUdx <p><a href="http://greg-sensei-japan.smugmug.com">greg-sensei-japan</a><br />Name: Komura-san Nickname(s): Kom-chan. I met Komura in my first week in the village in August. He's the captain of the footy team and the one who invited me to come along in the first place ...</p><p><a href="http://greg-sensei-japan.smugmug.com/Other/Football-Team/1185311_Kn4oW#55442042_VUUdx" title="Name: Komura-san Nickname(s): Kom-chan. I met Komura in my first week in the village in August. He's the captain of the footy team and the one who invited me to come along in the first place ..."><img src="http://greg-sensei-japan.smugmug.com/Other/Football-Team/DSCF0331/55442042_VUUdx-Th.jpg" width="150" height="113" alt="Name: Komura-san Nickname(s): Kom-chan. I met Komura in my first week in the village in August. He's the captain of the footy team and the one who invited me to come along in the first place ..." title="Name: Komura-san Nickname(s): Kom-chan. I met Komura in my first week in the village in August. He's the captain of the footy team and the one who invited me to come along in the first place ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> Other Mon, 06 Feb 2006 17:37:04 -0800 nobody@smugmug.com (greg-sensei-japan) http://greg-sensei-japan.smugmug.com/Other/Football-Team/DSCF0331/55442042_VUUdx-Th.jpg 2005-11-07 09:50:51 5092246aa01a19b9fb4f989f0e707464 bda8545c7ebfc249bbbd87377e82e9f5 ddf3e5cad5b11d46beb077f8cda451fd f82cb7427aa0d9e53f0c92097145f652 27fd3899d7004f0e87e5e6261851211c e35e304185c10058b268d62827444b66 d9de21c7bb06683ede3a6acc1cc10f11 5dea59efefa4a2ed698d2364a6196f32 Name: Komura-san Nickname(s): Kom-chan. I met Komura in my first week in the village in August. He's the captain of the footy team and the one who invited me to come along in the first place ... <p><a href="http://greg-sensei-japan.smugmug.com">greg-sensei-japan</a><br />Name: Komura-san Nickname(s): Kom-chan. I met Komura in my first week in the village in August. He's the captain of the footy team and the one who invited me to come along in the first place ...</p><p><a href="http://greg-sensei-japan.smugmug.com/Other/Football-Team/1185311_Kn4oW#55442042_VUUdx" title="Name: Komura-san Nickname(s): Kom-chan. I met Komura in my first week in the village in August. He's the captain of the footy team and the one who invited me to come along in the first place ..."><img src="http://greg-sensei-japan.smugmug.com/Other/Football-Team/DSCF0331/55442042_VUUdx-Th.jpg" width="150" height="113" alt="Name: Komura-san Nickname(s): Kom-chan. I met Komura in my first week in the village in August. He's the captain of the footy team and the one who invited me to come along in the first place ..." title="Name: Komura-san Nickname(s): Kom-chan. I met Komura in my first week in the village in August. He's the captain of the footy team and the one who invited me to come along in the first place ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> Other greg-sensei-japan greg-sensei-japan http://greg-sensei-japan.smugmug.com/Other/Football-Team/1185311_Kn4oW#55442043_kgWxq <p><a href="http://greg-sensei-japan.smugmug.com">greg-sensei-japan</a><br />Name: Hamada-san Nickname: Hama-chan. Probably the youngest player there but one of the best. He often turns up claiming to have just come from the bar having consumed in excess of ten pints ...</p><p><a href="http://greg-sensei-japan.smugmug.com/Other/Football-Team/1185311_Kn4oW#55442043_kgWxq" title="Name: Hamada-san Nickname: Hama-chan. Probably the youngest player there but one of the best. He often turns up claiming to have just come from the bar having consumed in excess of ten pints ..."><img src="http://greg-sensei-japan.smugmug.com/Other/Football-Team/DSCF0333/55442043_kgWxq-Th.jpg" width="150" height="113" alt="Name: Hamada-san Nickname: Hama-chan. Probably the youngest player there but one of the best. He often turns up claiming to have just come from the bar having consumed in excess of ten pints ..." title="Name: Hamada-san Nickname: Hama-chan. Probably the youngest player there but one of the best. He often turns up claiming to have just come from the bar having consumed in excess of ten pints ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> Other Mon, 06 Feb 2006 17:37:05 -0800 nobody@smugmug.com (greg-sensei-japan) http://greg-sensei-japan.smugmug.com/Other/Football-Team/DSCF0333/55442043_kgWxq-Th.jpg 2005-11-10 20:20:32 9bd2e683d1256c3ac808836ed792b1c4 dc96205d1e601c72e4044683d32cd546 c48b7d058d86652d4775b475abf61811 8138529a5511833527087cba4e5cceae 6c0c4b51e488ef2a1aded39b2ac2d1d0 b14256bc6ca3caa4e640cb7eca6b4e55 a5f1a142ad1b02aa8779ad7c667b03d8 1b725037f714e26c02d9cb645527c6a7 Name: Hamada-san Nickname: Hama-chan. Probably the youngest player there but one of the best. He often turns up claiming to have just come from the bar having consumed in excess of ten pints ... <p><a href="http://greg-sensei-japan.smugmug.com">greg-sensei-japan</a><br />Name: Hamada-san Nickname: Hama-chan. Probably the youngest player there but one of the best. He often turns up claiming to have just come from the bar having consumed in excess of ten pints ...</p><p><a href="http://greg-sensei-japan.smugmug.com/Other/Football-Team/1185311_Kn4oW#55442043_kgWxq" title="Name: Hamada-san Nickname: Hama-chan. Probably the youngest player there but one of the best. He often turns up claiming to have just come from the bar having consumed in excess of ten pints ..."><img src="http://greg-sensei-japan.smugmug.com/Other/Football-Team/DSCF0333/55442043_kgWxq-Th.jpg" width="150" height="113" alt="Name: Hamada-san Nickname: Hama-chan. Probably the youngest player there but one of the best. He often turns up claiming to have just come from the bar having consumed in excess of ten pints ..." title="Name: Hamada-san Nickname: Hama-chan. Probably the youngest player there but one of the best. He often turns up claiming to have just come from the bar having consumed in excess of ten pints ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> Other greg-sensei-japan greg-sensei-japan