World Footy News

In August 2007, Japan's national side the Samurais toured Australia, playing four matches against local amateur sides. The trip Down Under has become an annual event for the JAFL. Read on for a report of the tour, courtesy of Hiroyuki Tohyama.

The Japanese student national team Samurais had their annual Melbourne Footy Tour during August, 2007. The team was made up of mainly university students, few graduates along with Coach Shohei Yamamoto. Few Japanese players who play for club teams in Melbourne joined the tour as well. The aim of the tour was for development of players for the International Cup 2008. The Samurais played four games, against St. Bernards Football Club, Vietnam national team, Box Hill North Football Club, and Xavier College.

Japan (4.3 7.5 10.6 11.9 75) lost to St. Bernards (6.0 9.4 13.6 14.7 91)
Match report
Japan (2.0 3.0 6.2 7.3 45) lost to Melbourne-Vietnam (1.3 5.8 10.10 12.13 85)
Match report
Japan (2.2 2.5 6.8 9.13 67) defeated Box Hill North (3.3 4.3 5.4 5.7 37)
No match report available
Japan (1.2 1.4 1.6 2.9 21) lost to Xavier College (7.2 12.8 17.11 20.13 133)
No match report available

It was a tough tour for the Samurais with only one win. However for a young team with players with only few months of experience, the tour ended with lots of positives.

Along with the games, the players and staff had time to walk around the city and touch a bit of footy culture. The team went to see an AFL game at Telstra dome, which was a first time experience for some of the players. The Samurais are looking forward to come back for the International Cup 2008.