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Pacific SportsBlogOkinawa-based sports reporter Dave Ornauer on military-related sports in the Far East. |
Far East soccer tournaments: What's your favourite girls storyline?
Posted May 15th, 2008 by Dave OrnauerWith the Far East girls soccer tournaments just days away, what do you feel are the storylines that have the best chance of coming true? A sampling follows; feel free to chime in with your own. A boys sampling to follow Friday:
-- Seoul American's girls finally rise to the top of the Class AA Tournament heap behind striking power of Sarah Eades, Erica Anglade and Angye Law, midfielders Katie and Jessica Bolander and goalkeeper Liz Gleaves.
-- The misery of 2007 behind them, Osan American's senior cadre of Gina Bosworth and Sasha Gluzinski and rising freshman striker Jasmine Pressley return to Class A title heights last enjoyed in 2006.
-- After a decade of trying, American School In Japan's girls finally have the goods to make it to the Class AA title, thanks to scoring of Laura Inglesrud and Morgan Bridgman and defender Melissa Walker.
-- Faith Academy's girls, led by sweeper Mary Shaw, make it two Class A titles in two tries.
-- No Aubrey Ashliman? No problem for freshman sister Mallarie, sophomore midfielder Whitney McWherter and Zama American's girls, who cap the finest season in school history with a first Class AA title.
-- No Jen or Dianne Abel? A Kadena girls squad thought to be completely rebuilding goes into reloading mode instead, with sophomores Taylor Russell and Ashley Zapp and junior striker Cassie McDonald taking the Panthers on another deep Class AA tournament run.
-- No Kara Koeneke? No big deal, not when senior transfer Bridget Ramirez fills the net with goals and helps Kubasaki's girls onto yet another run at a Class AA crown.
-- No Kat Nufable or Sarah Eades? Daegu American nonetheless enjoys its finest regular season ever, with Calisto sisters Morgan and Nikki and the Warriors hopeful of making a Class A title repeat bid.
-- Among those with long memories, Kate "Berlin" Cutshall, Heather Hyson and Class A girls host Matthew C. Perry have done a year-long slow burn over their 2-1 "golden goal" loss to Daegu, and are hankering to reverse that outcome.
Did I miss somebody? Hit me up! Shout it out! And remember, you've entered THE "No-Hate Zone." *smile*
MAY MADNESS BRACKET PICKS (AA)
Here's my guesses, which rely on a few upsets to come true. Group A standings after the first round:
1) Kubasaki
2) Seoul
3) Yokota
4) Edgren
5) Hong Kong
Group B standings after the first round:
1) Zama
2) Kadena
3) ASIJ
4) Kinnick
5) Guam
6) Seisen
Quarterfinals:
1) Kubasaki over Seisen
2) Kadena over Kinnick
3) Seoul over ASIJ
4) Zama over Edgren
Semifinals:
1) Kubasaki over Kadena
2) Zama over Seoul
3rd Place: Kadena over Seoul
Championship: Zama over Kubasaki
The potential upsets required to make this happen: 1) In Group B play, after a catharctic victory over Kinnick early on Day 1 in which Kadena expends all their emotion out on the field, Zama catches them napping later in their third game of a long, hot day and defeats them to win Group B; 2) In their round of 16 match, Nico pulls a few tricks out of his magic bag and underdog Kinnick upsets arch rival Yokota to set up a grudge match quarterfinal against Kadena (I primarily put this scenario in because it would set up a game we'd all love to see!); and 3) After defeating Kadena in a tough semifinal match after rolling over all their other opponents, Kubasaki comes into the final way too overconfident and Zama tags them for one or two quick scores early and then holds them off to win in a gritty defensive performance for the ages (of course that is exactly how I thought Kinnick would beat Kubasaki in the final last year, and I was wrong then, so I'm most likely wrong again this time).
The obvious unanswered question in all this is What about Seoul? Aren't they Dave's #1? I think Seoul will prove to be a team that is really talented, but just hasn't squared off against teams at the level of Kubasaki, Zama, and Kadena so far this year, and that will hurt them. If they had been able to play the Okinawa teams during the regular season, or if Far East was two weeks long, that might be different.
MAY MADNESS PICK (A)
This is a no-brainer: the Faith Academy "Cobra Kai" in a walkover. In any girl's sport, Faith picks and chooses their spots and only shows up at tournaments where they are positive they can win it all - and their analysis is almost always correct. The fact they are showing up to play means they will most likely win. If they weren't going to win it all, they wouldn't spend the money to come. If they thought they were really good, they would be at Yokota this week in the Class AA. So they must be afraid of Kubasaki - Faith has no interest in second or third place trophies.
I wish this was my own brilliant insight, but I must give credit where credit is due - the late, great Sue Ferinden first brought this pattern to my attention when we were sitting in the stands at a Class AA Far East girl's basketball tournament watching one of her husband Jim's great Kinnick girl's teams play more than a decade ago, and it has continued to play itself out over the years (there's a blast from the past for you, Dave!). No hate - just the facts.
You are correct...partly
Yellowcard, what you say about Faith Academy is indeed true. When they compete in any Far East event, you had better watch out. Schools, however, are no longer permitted to flip-flop from Class A and AA from year to year. Faith now exclusively competes in Class A as long as their enrollment permits it.
My team had to defeat Faith to hang a banner in the gym and I assure you it was my proudest moment as a coach. To beat a storied program such as Faith's is quite an accomplishment.
Schools such as Faith, Sacred Heart, Morrison, CAJ, ASIJ, SFS, etc. are great programs. This is yet another example of why it is so important to keep these international schools in Far East events. If all we had to do was defeat another DoDDS school to hang a banner in the gym, we wouldn't have any room on the walls. I for one welcome their participation. I never want to see what has happened to individual sports such as tennis, cross-country, and wrestling to spill over into the team competitions. I want my Far East Championship to truly mean something.
Ya gotta have Faith
Yellow card:
While the wall filled with banners may speak for itself, having followed the Faith Academy program virtually since the time I began covering high school sports in 1982, I can say with conviction that this is a program that does not "pick and choose" its spots.
Faith's boys basketball team began attending Far East tournaments 35 years ago; only four times have they hung a DODDS banner in the gym. The girls have fared better, eight banners in 14 visits, but that still leaves six years without a title. And two Class A girls volleyball banners in all the years they've gone there.
One other thing people may not consider when they look at Faith. This is a missionary school that survives not on profits, nor are their instructors or administration salaried; they are beneficiaries of donations and contributions made by their missions. One sally I heard many moons ago was that "when Faith's coaches take a 'sabbatical,' it really means they're on the road recruiting." That's half true. Faith has fielded a great number of good athletes over the years, including former USA Volleyball Olympian Dan Landry. But much of that recruiting is designed to help keep the doors of the school open.
Much of Faith's Far East travel is paid for by air miles generated by these missionary visits. Many Far East tournaments are held on Okinawa, and the airlines serving Manila and Naha generally don't fit the airline alliance and air miles categories to which Faith belongs.
Above and beyond all that, you'll not meet a more competitive, but friendly, sportsmanlike group of coaches or athletes.
Example of this came during that aforementioned first Far East tournament I ever covered, in February 1982. Faith's boys beat Yokota 44-36 in the championship game after trailing 20-12 eight minutes into the game.
Afterward, coach Tine Hardeman could have been forgiven if he thrust his hands and pointed fingers skyward. Instead, he went around the room shaking the hands of everybody, friends, opponents, organisers, thanking them for their hospitality.
He then chatted with Mike McDonnell, an Air Force major assigned to U.S. Forces Japan public affairs, and whose son played for that Yokota team. Tine's words have not only stayed with me, but helped form the coverage philosophy and code by which Ornauer lives today:
"You know, Mike, I really wonder how much these young people lose and sacrifice by coming over here and all the comforts of home they leave behind in the States. Tournaments like these go a long way toward mitigating that circumstance."
And Yellow card, you know me well enough to know that I speak with that "glass is half full" attitude for every program out here, not just Faith. Ornauer's not fussy; he loves 'em all. *smile*
MEA CULPA
In retrospect, in my prediction for the Class A tournament, I was unintentionally a bit harsher on Faith than I should have been. I still think Faith will win, but for the right reason - because they are the best team in the tournament. Good luck to all the teams in all the soccer tournaments this year.
Thanks for the history lesson...
Dave,
As always you never cease to dazzle us with your infinite database and nuances that make our Far East sports unique. Thanks for all that you do and for this blog. You epitomize what it means to follow one's passion and I have learned much from you in the process. Yellowcard, thanks for starting that dialogue. I am pleased to see that Class A soccer is truly getting competitve again...as Dave says, *smile* :)
its pretty clever how YC
its pretty clever how YC disses all the Korea teams by claiming that Seoul hasnt played the likes of your teams over there and how USA vc not only patronizingly marginalizes Class A teams (truly getting competitive??? you must be a class aa school) but is contemptous of all DODDS schools (how many banners DO you have?).
Korea teams play great soccer - they'll show you. All they want to do is play hard - no dramas, no politicks, hard seasons. Seoul does have talented and a powerful team this year. class A teams have beaten large schools frequently the past couple years (your MC Perry has been giving back hard ). DODDS schools have created the best rivalries and the most intense, rewarding games.. Just because you say smile or no hating doesnt hide the fact that you are. So having subtly vented myself, can someone actually do matchups based upon the teams' offensive firepower and defensive sturdiness? Although its probably too late for reading - everyone travels out in a day. It wouldv'e been good to see what those key matchup predictions would've been
Not Dissing Korea
MYC,
I'm not "claiming" that Seoul hasn't played mainland Japan and Okinawa teams this season - it's a fact that Seoul hasn't played mainland Japan and Okinawa teams this season - and it is a fact that every single Far East tournament in history (girls or boys) has been won by either an Okinawan team or by CAJ from mainland Japan. Does that mean that Seoul can't win? No, far from it. The potential problem I was pointing out was that they have not lost a single game the entire season. Very talented teams that haven't been pushed to the limit all season sometimes have trouble in tournaments like this one (1983 Phi Slamma Jamma, anyone?). Will that happen to Seoul - who knows? I certainly don't. That's the purpose of this blog - to have fun guessing to enjoy the tournament more.
And far from being a Korea hater, the greatest single goal I have ever witnessed in any of the hundreds and hundreds of matches I have officiated was on March 17, 2005 in an 8-4 Seoul victory over Zama in that year's boys Far East. I went back and checked my records and unfortunately I didn't write down the name of the Seoul player (Dave - help me out here?), but I will never forget that goal. It was a beautiful overhead bicycle kick near the top left corner of the penalty area on a perfect cross coming in from the right winger. It looked exactly like Marcelo Balboa's overhead for the USA against Columbia in the 1994 World Cup, except that Balboa missed and the Seoul player scored. I also spent a week assigned as a liaison officer onboard the South Korean Navy frigate Kunsan during a bilateral exercise in 1987 that was one of the highlights of my career, and also enjoyed many great port visits to Pusan and Chinhae. Love Korea, love Seoul soccer, but when you have to make picks, you have to make a choice and hope for the best!
'Tis a shame
Major YC,
In fact, I am a class A coach who is pleased to see that the caliber of play is improving in class A soccer. Consider the fact that because Far East soccer tournaments are played late for many schools, international schools have not traditionally participated.
I am sorry that you misinterpreted my post but the fact of the matter remains that Far East events that do not have the international schools compete simply are not as competitive. International schools, particularly in sports such as volleyball, tennis, wrestling, cross-country, etc. have proven their mettle. My point is that class A soccer, particularly girls', has not been that competitive in past years (six teams - only one or two marginal international schools - give me a break). I believe you will find the consistent addtion of schools such as Sacred Heart, Faith, and Morrison to rachet up the level of play on the class A side. You simply cannot discount the fact that international schools do not traditionally face the transition issues faced by DoDDS schools, so when DoDDS students do well in a Far East event in which all participate then they can truely appreciate having accomplished something, because they have...
It IS a shame
give you a break? thats a dis if I ever heard one. I sure hope we arent from the same school, but i dont think so because we dont have alot of banners from just beating DODDS schools.
Competitive is relative to the level of the playing field. Having great international teams in a tournament is not the only way to make it "competitive"; those usually means which underdog can dethrone a giant in an upset. So, even if FE Class A were all DODDS schools and some "marginal" international schools, the fact that all these schools HAVE these transition issues, and paltry training resources ( especially time) compared to these powerhouse international schools, it makes it a level playing field and thus makes it INTENSELY competitive, and not just entire walk-overs. Any victory in any of these games are considered extremely satisfying by their coaches. When Osan and Daegu and Pusan won their Class A championships, it was just as great and accomplishment to these players and their schools as yours was in your sport. just because you say otherwise with conviction does not make it a fact, usa vbc. the level of satisfaction may be different for you, but it does not change the level of competitiveness.
You forget the DODDS Korea plays regularly against and sometimes beat quite a few international schools here that are pretty good too.
Having said that, yeah Faith won the Class A tournament and they are indeed a great team, but the DODDs teams did beat all the other International teams during the tournament with THEIR level of play. A DODDS team got 2d in the tournament. A Korean international school won the boys. Seoul girls has beaten and tied the Japan/Okinawa giants in the Class AA. We are hoping for the best for them.
Good Points
Great arguments MYC, but unfortunatly the the Int'l Schools never see this point. They just pefer to whine and think of Far East events as an entitlement, while looking down their noses at the DODDS schools and students. Small schools like Kinnick, Edgren, Yokota etc. have to face the "big 3" in DODDS which have more talent to pool from, and also the Internationals which are able to keep most of their competitors for a long time and uphold true programs.
DODDS and Internationals
a coach compared our DODDS programs to building a sand castle. you get two weeks before the seeason, and the two month season, to build something to show comes tourny time. then the wave of military family movement comes and you are left with less than half your team (at least for the small schools) for the next year. so we are indeed envious of the big schools' pool and the internationals' 4 year continuity with their players..despite this, DODDS schools have consistently contended well.
the international schools' coaches we met this year (both in our country and during tourny) were very friendly and seemed genuinely wanting to be a these Far East tourny's (some cited money, scheduling conflicts with their ADs, IB exams, etc from preventing them last time) - so hopefully all the previous disagreements between DODDs and Internationals can be worked out in all sports to keep everyone in at future tournys. tall order, i know.
Nice preview
I'm looking forward to reading your updates over FE - don't leave us hanging for the rest of the story! Should be interesting with new competition such as Faith, Morrison, and ISSH this year. I'm slightly jealous. :)
Oh, and I read that this year there will be no golden goals in the instance of a tie? Does this mean they'll be playing whole overtime halves?
Re: Nice preview
Just a bit of background, the author of "Nice preview" will likely go down in history as having scored the last-ever "golden goal" in a Far East tournament.
Just seconds into last May's Class A Girls Tournament championship overtime period, Kat Nufable took a through pass from Sarah Eades, split two defenders and dribbled on a breakaway to the net. Kicked it far post past the outstretched hands of Kate "Berlin" Cutshall ...
... for a "golden goal" that gave Daegu American a 2-1 overtime win over Matthew C. Perry.
They've standardised the tournament rules this year for playoff matches:
-- 40-minute halves, 10-minute halftime.
-- Two 10-minute overtimes, no golden goal (darn it; I liked that).
-- Penalty kicks.
Kat, you're a history maker! :)
Haha I guess my username was
Haha I guess my username was a bit obvious...
By the way I received the ball from a back-third clear from Linda Martinez, while Sarah Eades, Morgan Calisto, and Aimee Hildenbrand sprinted for the support on the breakaway. I'm sure even if I couldn't go all the way, one of them would have been there for the finisher :)
But I just thought it would be more efficient--- with this many teams and matches on limited fields-- if they had a format that ends a game as quickly as possible if they run overtime. But that's just me...
Far East sounds like it can go either way this year, and most of the teams are on a contending level. I'm especially curious on the new international schools participating. I change that 'slightly jealous' to just jealous. *pout*
Overtime Rules
This year's Far East tie-breaking procedure will feature two 5 minute "non-Sudden Victory goal" halves, followed by PKs. This is a deviation from the DoDDS-mandated USA high school rules, which call for two 10 minute "non-SV" halves, followed by two 5 minute SV halves (which would open the door to the possibility of a "golden goal)," followed by PKs. My guess is that this change was made to save time. Taking out the golden goal could be to match up with the new FIFA rule change from a couple years ago that eliminated the golden goal from all FIFA-sponsored matches even though DoDDS soccer doesn't follow the FIFA rules, but rather the USA high school rules.
got to support my panthers
No Jen or Dianne Abel? A Kadena girls squad thought to be completely rebuilding goes into reloading mode instead, with sophomores Taylor Russell and Ashley Zapp and junior striker Cassie McDonald taking the Panthers on another deep Class AA tournament run.
also Tanisha McChesney is watching closely from Virginia Beach, Virginia. i have to keep my eye on how my girls are doing. leaving kadena last year broke my heart but i have since played on my Varsity team for Salem High School and have juss made the U19 Boys soccer team for Old Dominion Soccer Club. Coach Hoa Nguyen is the best and couldn't of trained me better for stateside soccer.so excited to hear about my ladys back in Oki. i wish them well and pray Oki brings back our victory again.....!
turnover and talent pool
I agree that Coach Nguyen is a skilled and competetive soccer (and tennis)coach but I envy the pool of talent he can draw from with over 600 9-12 students and the excellent MS feeder program Kadena has..
Daegu has 192 9-12 th graders - We had 6 returnees from the 2007 championship team and only one player left from our 2006 3rd place team. We did pretty good to finish second, behind Faith , whose girls tend to stick around longer.
Its a wonder the DoDDS schools do as well as they do given the PCS rotations disrupting their programs. Every year we start again with half of the team new to soccer ( no YS or MS feeder programs) and try to get them competetive by mid season and the tournaments. Next year we start over once again
Closer to a 900
It's actually closer to 900 or so 9-12 graders at Kadena HS (854 to be exact)...you can check out all of the DoDEA enrollments at:
http://www.dodea.edu/datacenter/enrollment.cfm
This is public info posted on the DoDEA website so no secrets here...good luck next year.
thanks for the enrollment link
I had us at 192.... its only 183 ... yikes... we had some PCS's in the past month including one of my soccer players and my top 2 girl tennis players
By the way, I didnt intend to be critical of the mainland Japan teams - i'm just a little sensitive about the korean teams being underestimated - cant blame anyone... i taught at Kinnick ( YOHI ) for 7 years and remember a Far East Cross country meet in 1995 where I took my team to Seoul only worrying about competition from ASIJ and the other Kanto Intnl schools (back when they were allowed) . ASIJ won that one, but SAHS handed us our backsides on a plate and took 2nd. We had to be content with 3rd. The boy girl combo schools
(St Mary's/CAJ/Seissen/ISSH) were considered seperate
Good luck to you next season in the Kanto
I still have very fond memories from Kinnick - good friends and sad losses.
I left the year after Jim and Sue PCS'd to Gitmo.
(Christina Williams and the 1000 cranes is still one of my saddest memories)