10 May 2025 | Tsurumaki SC International Friendly Match, Tama City

Day 3 took Fiezta FC to the heart of Tama City, where we participated in the Tsurumaki SC International Friendly Match at Minami-Tsurumaki Elementary School. Unlike Day 2’s train commute, this time we travelled comfortably by car — a much-needed breather for the boys ahead of a packed matchday schedule.

The event brought together four spirited U12 teams:
• Fiezta FC (Malaysia)
• Tsurumaki SC
• Shirayuri SC
• Machida Aihara FC

Set on a picturesque 68m x 50m natural grass pitch, the carnival featured a series of fast-paced 15-minute 8-a-side matches. Our players showed focus, energy, and sportsmanship throughout — a day filled with competition and camaraderie.

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A Truly Heartfelt Welcome

What truly made this day unforgettable wasn’t just the football — it was the warmth of our hosts.

Under a deep blue canopy, we were surprised with a beautifully arranged spread of snacks, drinks, fruits, and energy boosters — complete with a heartfelt “Selamat Datang ke Jepun” sign. It was a gesture that touched us all and instantly made us feel at home.

Adding to that, we were honoured with custom souvenirs from every participating team — including a hot-pressed commemorative matchday t-shirt from Aihara FC. In return, we proudly presented our Fiezta FC flag pendants, symbolizing friendship and appreciation from Semenyih to Tokyo.

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Smiles, Conversations & Cultural Curiosity

One of the most beautiful parts of the day was the interaction with the local community.
Parents from the opposing teams greeted us with genuine warmth, many smiling, asking questions, and even engaging in casual interviews. It was a heartfelt exchange — a reminder that football is a universal language.

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A Gentle But Powerful Lesson

As the event came to a close, we encountered a lesson we didn’t expect — but needed.

Two Japanese volunteers kindly stepped in to help us sort our rubbish, gently pointing out the importance of proper waste separation in Japan.
We were grateful — and admittedly, a little shy (🙈). But it was a humbling moment that sparked an internal initiative:
We’ve since created our own Fiezta Garbage Sorting Guide — a small but meaningful step toward becoming better, more respectful guests.

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Grit. Gratitude. Growth.

Day 3 was more than football.
It was about the grit shown on the pitch, the gratitude exchanged off it, and the growth we experienced in the little moments that will stay with us forever.

Thank you once again to Mr. Tomoharu Ishigami and all our Japanese hosts for their generosity, warmth, and valuable lessons.
This is what real exchange looks like.

#FieztaFC #JapanExchange2025 #TrainThriveTogether #FromSemenyihToTokyo #TsurumakiFriendlyMatch #RespectTheCulture #GritGratitudeGrowth