Diablo FC boys gain international experience against traveling Japanese teams
Rain can’t dampen the enthusiasm of Diablo FC 96, 98 players for friendlies

Posted: 3/28/2012 
Updated: 4/9/2012

Event Day Video

It was a glorious afternoon and evening in all respects but the weather when Diablo FC 96 and 98 boys played international friendly matches in Pittsburg against their counterparts from Junsyuu Football Academy from the Chiba Prefecture in the Greater Tokyo Area of Honshu Island.

The games were well played and competitive but just a part of the overall experience for all involved.

Coach Mito Yasuhiro was in charge of the older U15 Junsyuu team which played Diablo FC 98 boys coached by Derricke Brown with Chris Brown and Brian Voltattorni assisting. Representing the city of Concord Joan Carrico, Director of Community and Recreation Services, presented the Japanese players with City mementos and Concord Police Captain Dave Downing gave coach Yasuhiro an official Concord PD police hat.

The games were played on two artificial turf fields in Pittsburg after weather rendered all available fields in Concord unusable due to the recent heavy rains. The U15 game ended 2-0 in favor of Junsyuu while the U13 game was a 4-3 win for the visitors over Diablo FC 96 coached by John Badger and Paul Bockenkamp.

Referees for the games arranged by Val Huerta were Michelle MacMullen, Sylvia Huerta and Rebecca Dong for the U13 game and Duane Lamoureux, Alex Delgado and Tony Fuentes for U15.

At a post-match reception catered by the New Mecca Café of Pittsburg, Diablo FC president Jay Bedecarre and board members Fuentes, Thomas Alford and Maria Padilla presented each delighted Japanese player with a Diablo FC t-shirt and a variety of club pins and stickers. Each of the Junsyuu coaches and interpreter also got a tournament t-shirt and club poster.

Coach Yasuhiro sang an original song and then all of his players also sang.

Tony Fuentes, who coordinated many of the activities, also presented the head coach with United States National Team gear and ball donated by Soccer Pro.

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