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The AFC.com F-League kicks off in Japan 25 September 2007TOKYO: The long-awaited first ever national futsal league in Japan, F-League, kicked off on Sunday at the Yoyogi National Gymnasium with a match between the Nagoya Oceans and Deucao Kobe.
The result was a 1-1 draw with more than 7000 spectators watching the game.
Eight teams are participating in the F-League which will be played on a three-round robin system after which the champions will be decided on February 17, 2008.
Title favourits Nagoya Oceans are the only fully professional club in the fray and are coached by Japanese futsal pioneer Oscar Mazikina.
Nagoya’s Takanori Kamisawa scored the first goal in the 17th minute but Kobe’s Masanori Ito equalised two minutes after the break.
Kamisawa said: “I am lucky to score the first goal. I am not happy with the result but I am very happy to play in the F-League in front of so many fans.’’
In other first round matches, Pescadola Machida thrashed Shriker Osaka 7-3, Stellamigo Hanamaki lost to Shonan Bellmare 2-4 and Bardral Urayasu beat Vasagey Oita 4-2.
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Luca Ranocchiari -->
luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com
