For those of you who like â??the beautiful gameâ?? as played by Brazil in 1970, the Dutch in the 70s, Ipswich Town in the early 80s or Arsenal today, then the Japanese Association probably wasnâ??t the place for you on Saturday. However, if goals are your thing, there were no less than 22 with both games played there ending 6-5. â??Amazing, Clarky,â?? I hear you say. â??Mate, you have an astute footballing brain, whatâ??s the story?â?? Well, it could have something to do with the matchbox-size pitch the teams were playing on (you have to build a wall if you give a free kick away in your own half) because it allows teams to get into the penalty area very quickly. Alternatively, it could be crap defending.

The Hotspurs were scrabbling around for a team having a mere 9 on Saturday morning. However, backs and other parts of the body were scratched, money changed hands and we managed to get 15 together for the 5pm kick-off â?? incredibly only four had survived from the starting line-up from last week!

We started well enough; Ali R had a good shot well saved and it wasnâ??t long before we were ahead when Dennis poked in from 6 yards. Given offside by the linesmen, the referee sensibly overruled him as he had received the pass from an opponent. The Japanese equalised with a thunderous free-kick, and the Hotspurs replied with a fine strike of our own outside the area from Marko. Then from nowhere really the Japanese were level and then leading from another thunderous strike from way out. 2-3 at the break and there could have been a lot more goals.

Now you will need to pay careful attention!! The second half started with the Japanese extending their lead (2-4), but then the Hotspurs pulled one back from Marko ghosting into the box (3-4). To our dismay, the Japanese went further ahead again (3-5) before Esad slotted home to make it 4-5. We finally equalised with Azlanâ??s strike capping a lively performance (5-5). Despite going close on several occasions, it didnâ??t look like weâ??d get the winner, until Azlan won the ball on the right, fed Marko whose fine cross saw the inrushing Ali R finish emphatically (6-5).

The score line could have been double for both teams, such were the chances created. The Japanese have certainly come on leaps and bounds since we played them early in the season being much more competitive and fluent of movement.

So there you go. Having been two goals down on two occasions in the second half and coming back to win the game is testament to the never-say-die attitude of the Hotspurs these day; no matter who plays for us!! This was a truly worthy performance all round and a game that will be remembered for many years to come. Ally L did very well slotting in at centre-half, Esad was always dangerous when he got the ball to feet(!) and Markoâ??s performance and goals were important. However, for all-round commitment and winning goal, Ali R gets my vote for man-of-the-match this week â?? a quality performance.

Finally, a big, big thank you to our guests this week; Alim, Graham, Dave, Jurek and Dennis -- we couldn't have done this without you!