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World Cup veteran holds beach soccer clinic
World Cup veteran Takasuke Goto, second right, talks to Saipan’s youth players during a beach soccer clinic he conducted late last month at the Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan.
(Contributed Photo)
World Cup participant Takasuke Goto was on Saipan late last month and conducted a beach soccer clinic for the island’s youth players at the Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan.
Goto, who suited up for the Japan national team in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup three times with his first one in 2007 during the tournament in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, held a two-hour clinic for U9 and U12 players. He was assisted by Northern Mariana Islands Football Association staff Jersh Angeles.
Angeles said Goto spent one hour each to U9 and U12 players, demonstrating warm-up drills and passing, dribbling, and shooting skills. The nearly 30 youth players also had scrimmages after the drills.
“Our players really enjoyed the clinic because it’s something new to them and they find beach soccer interesting and challenging because of the different playing venue,”Angeles said.
“They learn new techniques from Takasuke and they are very eager to practice them when they get a chance to play at the beach again,” Angeles added.
The island’s youth players was particularly in awe of Goto’s bicycle kick. The Japanese did his trademark shot against Senegal during the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Portugal 2015 Group A match in July this year and videos of his famous kick can be seen at You Tube. In his seven appearances in World Cup, Goto has scored four goals and helped Japan get two wins.
“He was on Saipan last month training at Fiesta and he found out that we have a lot of soccer players here so he decided to coordinate with NMIFA to hold a beach soccer clinic for our youth players,” Angeles said.
“He was impressed with the skills and enthusiasm of our players. He said they have a lot of potential and with Saipan surrounded by beaches, our players have all the time to train and play,” Angeles added.
The NMIFA staff also said Goto is planning to return to Saipan early next year and hold a similar clinic for more players in different age groups.
