Ex-Japanese pro striker in town

Former professional striker Atsuhiro Miura of Japan will visit Saipan to hold a clinic and meet with local football clubs and their players.

Miura played in the Japan Professional Football League from 1994 to 2010, suiting up for the Yokohama Flugels, Yokohama Marinos, Tokyo Verdy 1969, Vissel Kobe, and Yokohama FC. The midfielder scored a total of 62 goals in his 17-year pro career.

The 37-year-old player had also donned the colors of Japan’s National Team from 1999 to 2005 and was chosen captain 25 times. He played for Japan in the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia.

Joining Miura on Saipan are three U10 and three U12 players and an official from the Japan Football Association. The visiting group is expected to arrive today after lunch and is invited to attend the training session of MP United’s U10 and U12 players from 4pm to 6pm today at the Navy Hill pitch.

Then tomorrow, Miura and company will attend the Paire Football Club’s jamboree at the Oleai Sports Complex Field from 9am to 12nn.

“Although this jamboree is for its members, Paire Football Club welcomes participation from other clubs. Please let us know who may want to participate in your club so we can inform PFC,” Northern Mariana Islands Football Association general secretary Ed Salas said in an email to Saipan Tribune and officials of local clubs.

After meeting MP United and Paire, the visitors will have a rest day on Sunday before proceeding with its youth clinic on Monday, Aug. 29, also at the Oleai pitch. The clinic for U10 players will run from 4pm to 5pm, while U12 strikers will have their turn from 5pm to 6pm. Only the first 30 players in every age group to register will be allowed to attend the clinic. Each club is given five slots.

“Please make sure that once you register your U10 and U12 players, they will attend the clinic. Also, please let us know if your club can’t fill the five slots so that we could give the vacant slots to the clubs that can,” Salas said.

After the clinic, Miura will lead an All-Star selection in a game against the CNMI Men’s National Team, starting at 6pm.

“This is a golden opportunity for NIMFA members to witness firsthand a famous Japanese national player participate in a friendly match with our team. We ask for your full support, please come out and watch the match,” Salas added.