Wembley visit for earthquake survivors

The Football Association welcomed survivors from the Japan earthquake to Wembley on Thursday, giving a group of 16 high school students the unique opportunity to play at the home of English football.

The FA’s close links with the Japanese Football Association prompted FA Chairman David Bernstein to meet the Japanese Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Keiichi Hayashi, soon after the devastating earthquake and tsunami which struck Japan in March of this year to see whether The FA could offer any support.

Moved by the Ambassador’s determination to do as much as possible to help the recovery of the worst-hit areas, Bernstein offered Wembley as the venue to help students from the Fukushima, Miyagi and Iwate prefectures to be inspired to continue their footballing journeys.

“I was impressed by the Ambassador’s initiative and drive to make something happen to help the people back in Japan who were suffering from the terrible devastation of the earthquake,” said Bernstein.

“His commitment and determination to make a difference to those lives was infectious and, from that, the idea of offering Wembley to him for a day was borne.

“Nothing can replace lost ones or eradicate the memories of the disaster which struck Japan. But if, for the students who have travelled more than 6,000 miles to get here, the experience of our country and of our stadium alleviates some of the pain and lifts their spirits, then we at Wembley will feel truly honoured to have played a positive part in their lives.”

The visiting team played matches against the Teikyo School and the London Japanese FC on the famous Wembley pitch, winning both matches to cap a memorable day.

Kazuki Saito, who captained the side from the Tohoku region in Japan, considered giving up football entirely following the disaster which killed more than 15,000 and left a trail of destruction on Japan’s north-east coastline.

The 18-year-old said: “Initially after the earthquake, I remember thinking about quitting football altogether as, at that point, we were in an environment where playing football was impossible.

“However, with the support from all over Japan and our international friends, we have been able to continue to play football.

“Through this experience we have learned of the people to people exchange that exists in football and I have felt gratitude much more than before.

“When I return to Japan I plan to share this wonderful experience in England with my friends. We are wholeheartedly very grateful for the opportunity to stand on the pitch at Wembley, which for us is a field of dreams.”

Sir Bobby Charlton, who handed over the trophy to Kazuki Saito, attended the mini-tournament alongside The FA’s Sir Trevor Brooking and Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sports.