INTERVIEW

Speaking with Zico CA
About the significance of the Japan-Brazil Friendship Cup

Now in its 24th year, the Japan-Brazil Friendship Cup has become the largest and most prestigious tournament in Brazil for U-15 players. Three junior youth teams from Antlers participate every year. How does Zico CA, who founded the tournament, reflect on its history? From the impact on children participating in the tournament in distant Brazil to the characteristics of recent players, he reflects on the 24th edition, which even the staff agreed had a particularly strong lineup.

How did the Japan-Brazil Friendship Cup come about?

The Japan-Brazil Friendship Cup is now in its 24th year. How did it come about?

“Even before we started holding this tournament, we had been welcoming Japanese boys to the Zico Soccer Center for one- to ten-day soccer schools. At that time, we had them play matches against teams from Brazilian schools. However, there was a large difference in skill between the club teams and the Japanese players, so they couldn’t play against each other. At the time, we were promoting soccer exchanges between Japan and Brazil, providing morning and afternoon training sessions to help the boys hone their basic skills, and creating an environment where they could practice more.

During that time, I was talking with Yuudai Takashima, who was then a staff member at Antlers and later became the head of youth development (now the representative director of Athletico Paranaense), and he made the suggestion.

“Until now, we had selected boys who had applied for the soccer school and brought them to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Next time, why not bring club teams so we can hold a tournament?”

I discussed it with Antonio Simoes, who is a lawyer, and the three of us decided to hold the tournament. There were no U-15 tournaments in Brazil at the time, so it was very interesting. It became highly significant not only for the Japanese boys but also for CFZ Zico Soccer Center and Brazil’s U-15 players. In fact, the tournament was so influential that it led to the creation of Brazil’s U-15 national team category. I feel very fortunate to have been able to create that opportunity.

This tournament inspired various teams from Japan to come to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In addition to Antlers’ academy teams, teams from JEF United Chiba, Tokyo Verdy, Ichikawa Trecento, the Japan youth national teams, and the J.League All-Stars also participated. We also spoke with the Rio de Janeiro State Football Federation and were able to include it in the official annual calendar. All the teams in Brazil welcomed the idea of creating a U-15 tournament in a very positive way.

Thus, the tournament continued to grow, was broadcast on television, and now matches can be watched around the world through Facebook and YouTube. Furthermore, many excellent players who have gone on to be selected for the Brazil or Japan national teams have come from this tournament.”

Zico CA and Ze Mario (former Antlers manager) commentate on the tournament final

 

What have been the biggest challenges in running the tournament for so long?

“The biggest challenge is securing sponsors. Holding the tournament is very expensive, including travel expenses for teams coming from states other than Rio de Janeiro, trophies, food, security, and ambulances. However, we are very grateful that the participating clubs, especially those from Rio, participate without receiving payment. While some other tournaments offer participation fees, the fact that they do not is proof of how important the Japan-Brazil Friendship Cup is for the U-15 category.

As the Zico Soccer Center, we have no intention of making a profit from running the tournament. That is our basic principle. Therefore, all the money we receive from sponsors is used to pay for all tournament expenses.”

Participating in the tournament from Japan can be difficult, involving long-distance travel. What is the significance of continuing to participate despite these challenges?

“What is important is the international exchange of soccer culture through serious competition. Learning what it means to play against stronger opponents. Learning the better preparation that needs to be done for that. And improving your own level. This tournament brings together the best teams in Brazil, both professional teams and youth academies.

In Brazil, national championships are now held for the U-20 and U-17 categories. There is no doubt that an U-15 championship will also be held soon. However, the U-15 championships currently held are mainly regional leagues, so teams do not have opportunities to play against teams from other states. This tournament has not only helped develop players but has also created the first opportunities for teams from different states in Brazil to play against each other.”

How was the tournament received when it first started in Brazil?

“It was received as something of great significance. This is evident in the creation of Brazil’s new U-15 national team category. Something that had never existed before was created through this tournament, so it had a major impact. At the time, Andre Luiz, who was the manager of CFZ Rio, became the first manager of the Brazil U-15 national team. Since then, Branco, the overall coordinator of Brazil’s youth national teams, has also come to watch the tournament, as has Egídio Pereira, a technical observer for the CBF Brazil Football Confederation. Last year, Dudu Patetucci, the manager of the Brazil U-15 national team, came to watch the matches every day, provided commentary on the broadcast, and presented the trophies at the awards ceremony. It is a wonderful thing.

Furthermore, many players who participated in this tournament have gone on to play for the national team. Here are a few examples. In Brazil, there were Alisson (Liverpool), Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo (both Real Madrid), Lucas Paquetá (West Ham), Philippe Coutinho (formerly Liverpool, now Vasco da Gama), Willian (formerly Chelsea, now Olympiacos), Marquinhos (PSG), Marcelo (formerly Real Madrid, now Fluminense), and Renato Augusto (formerly Bayer Leverkusen, now Fluminense)…… They all played in the World Cup.

The same is true for the Japan national team. Takashi Usami of Gamba Osaka also played for Bayern Munich. There were also Yoichiro Kakitani, who was at Cerezo Osaka, Takayuki Morimoto, who was at Tokyo Verdy, Hikaru Yamaguchi, who was at Cerezo Osaka, Hiroki Sakai, who was at Urawa Reds, and Shuichi Gonda, who was a Japan national team goalkeeper. Yosuke Ide of Vissel Kobe also played in the Japan-Brazil Friendship Cup. All of them are players who played in the Japan-Brazil Friendship Cup.

In addition, many players from the Antlers academy, including Yuma Suzuki, Seima Doi, Hiroki Machida, and Kiyo Ueta, also played. There are many more, but just mentioning a few names shows how many players have come from this tournament.

Furthermore, although it only lasts one week, it is the second-largest tournament in Brazil. In this category, the Nike Cup is currently the largest, followed by the Japan-Brazil Friendship Cup. That is why everyone in Brazil asks every year, “Is it going to be held again this year?” (laughs). We feel very fortunate about that.”

 

Last year, Real Madrid’s Rodrygo spoke about the Japan-Brazil Friendship Cup, saying, “It is a tournament that serves as a turning point for whether you can move up to the U-17 or professional level, and whether you can get an opportunity to play in Europe.” The players themselves understand the importance of participating in the tournament. During the recent Copa América, Zico CA also reunited with and spoke to Brazil national team players who had participated in the Japan-Brazil Friendship Cup.

“It is very important for the players to know that they are being watched and analyzed during this tournament. This year, too, some of the players competing in this tournament have been called up to the Brazil U-15 national team. It is no wonder that Branco and Egídio, who oversee Brazil’s youth national teams, come here to observe.

Both the clubs and the players understand the importance of the Japan-Brazil Friendship Cup. That is why all the clubs that participate treat everyone with the utmost hospitality. We are also very grateful for their cooperation.

In some cases, clubs send U-14 teams as an investment in the future. This is partly because U-15 teams are competing in state championships during this period, so high-level match experience at a younger age will be a great opportunity. One thing I would like to say is that there were no tournaments like this in my day (laughs).”

(laughs). This year, the sons of Antlers alumni Mitsuo Okusawa, Jun Sokeguchi, and Kenji Haneda are participating. Their fathers also understand its importance and have sent them.

“Yes, especially Okusawa, who has come to Brazil and knows about this tournament. It is wonderful to see it passed down like that. His son is an excellent player who plays very well. Sokeguchi is maturing, and Haneda is the same.

We are very happy to see the sons of players who were very important in Antlers’ history. I have worked with their fathers for a very long time. Not only at Antlers, but also on the Japan national team, they played on my team. It is truly a pleasure to welcome their sons here.

In the future, I hope their fathers will also come to Brazil. Whether to watch this tournament or for any other reason. After all, Brazilians love Japanese people.”

For supporters, discovering promising players and exciting talents to watch in the future is also part of the enjoyment of watching youth tournaments. What should people who come here or watch the broadcast on the YouTube channel Zico10 focus on to discover such future stars?

“Talent is about whether a player can perform effectively while playing consistently in matches. It is not enough to play very well one day and then disappear. You must continue to play in matches and always perform at a consistent level. Looking at that may be one important thing to consider when analyzing calmly.

Many former players and agents come to watch this tournament, and I am sure they are looking for good players. After all, this year there were very high-quality players not only from Japan but also from Brazil.”

Finally, please leave a message for the readers of Academy Freaks.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to speak to the readers through Academy Freaks. As you all know, I always value activities that help the next generation of players. This is the same in Brazil as it is in Japan. I believe that Antlers’ continued participation in this tournament is bearing fruit in a very positive way. This is evident from the growth of past participants. I hope it will continue in the same way in the future.

This year, Antlers were placed in a very strong group, but they played very well in all three group matches. They defeated Botafogo and lost to Flamengo, but it was a match where a draw or even a win would not have been surprising. Against Atlético Mineiro, they created many goal chances and although they lost, they played very well. I hope that by making use of this experience and continuing to grow, they will be playing for the Antlers first team in a few years.”

Zico CA poses for a commemorative photo with the captains of Flamengo and Corinthians at the awards ceremony