Kids' Activities 17

Next Up: International Youth Tournament

	Japan's team for the 1999 World Youth Championship. (Go YANAGAWA / J.League Photos)

In Shizuoka Prefecture, one of the most soccer-mad regions in Japan, kids are turning their interest from the World Cup to the next big soccer event, the SBS Cup international youth soccer tournament to be held in Shizuoka on August 11, 12, and 14. National youth teams from Portugal and Paraguay, the Japanese under-19 team, and the Shizuoka youth team will compete in the SBS Cup.

The people of Shizuoka first experienced the excitement of the World Cup with the Cameroon vs. Germany and Belgium vs. Russia games in the group stage. Just like people all over Japan, they were also thrilled to watch as the Japanese team won through the group stage. However, Japan lost in the round of 16 to Turkey on June 18, so the people of Shizuoka switched their support to the Senegal team, which held a pre-tournament training camp in the city of Fujieda, in Shizuoka Prefecture. But Senegal lost in the quarterfinals.

Now, kids who love soccer are starting to look forward to cheering on the Shizuoka youth team at the SBS Cup international youth tournament in August. This event began in 1977 to mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of a local TV station. Its sponsors include the Japan Football Association.