Mainichi Daily News

Morning Musume futsal team overpowers JAL cabin attendant players

A futsal team including members from the popular all-girl Japanese pop group Morning Musume staged a match against a team of cabin attendants for Japan Airlines (JAL) on Thursday, with the singers achieving a solid victory.

The Morning Musume team, "Gatas Brilhantes H.P.," went up against JAL's "Samurai Crew," and came out on top with a 7-1 win.

The match was held as part of an event produced by Japanese soccer player Tsuneyasu Miyamoto marking the opening of the "Football Park Court" futsal ground in the Marunouchi Building in Tokyo's Chiyoda-ku.

Samurai Crew, which was performing its debut match, opened the scoring. Fired up, Gatas then began scoring one goal after the other.

"It felt strange to be playing a match inside a building, but when the game started I was able to enjoy it like I always do," said 21-year-old Gatas captain Hitomi Yoshizawa.

Another member on the team, Nozomi Tsuji, said she was looking forward to watching the soccer World Cup being held in Germany.

"Four years ago, I didn't even know the rules, but this time feel like painting Japanese flags on my cheeks and going to cheer the team on at the venues," she said.

The futsal court will be operating on the first floor of the building between June 9 and July 9. The space will be available for those wanting to rent it out. (Mainichi)





Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com