[EXILE CUP 2025 Report]STS Chitose Pereda MCI, who has been steadily defending and fast attacking, wins the “EXILE CUP 2025” Hokkaido tournament!

EXILE CUP 2025 STS Chitose Peleda MCI who won the Hokkaido tournament (Photo) = Ueno Kimito

The Hokkaido tournament for the nationwide futsal tournament “EXILE CUP 2025” for fourth to sixth graders was held on August 6, 2025 at Sapporo Soccer Amusement Park in Higashi Ward, Sapporo.

This tournament, held by LDH JAPAN Inc. on the theme of Dreams For Children, marks the 13th time this summer since its launch in 2010. This year’s Hokkaido tournament, a total of 48 teams from all over Hokkaido entered the tournament, and the match was heated in a qualifying league divided into four teams and a final tournament between the top 16 teams.

At the opening ceremony held prior to the match, EXILE MAKIDAI came to the venue as a guest, greeted the audience, saying, “We would be happy if this tournament could become a wonderful event that will lead to your dreams for the future. I look forward to the players’ full-power play, and I would like to work hard together to liven up the atmosphere.”

RUI also cheered the players on behalf of the three girls from iScream, a girl group who also participated as guests, saying, “I’m really happy to be able to come to the EXILE CUP venue for the first time. It’s hot, but I hope we can all join together until the end and create a wonderful, memorable day. Let’s have fun together!”

Next, 10 kids members from EXPG STUDIO SAPPORO, a dance and singing school that is active in their hometown of Sapporo, performed at the performance. Finally, everyone will be able to warm up by dancing the familiar “Krakki! Dance,” and finally kicking off the qualifying league on all six courts. The qualifying league is divided into 12 blocks A-L, with 16 teams compiling in 12 blocks, A-L, with 12 teams that came in first place in each block, and 4 teams with the top scores from the second place to advance to the final tournament.

Some talented teams scored three consecutive wins from the qualifying league with impressive scoring ability, while others were close blocks where the three teams lined up with 2 wins and 1 loss, and the match was a goal difference. The card that attracted attention was the match between I-Block Hoshioki FC (Sapporo City), which was a battle between the three-way battles, and Horobetsu Nishi Soccer Sports Youth Group (Noboribetsu City). The game was set to play a seesaw game where each other scored goals, and Hoshioki FC, who expanded their lead with an effective offensive that widely used the court, won 3-2. However, Horobetsu Nishi Soccer Sports Youth Group, which surpassed the score by the total score difference in the three qualifying matches, came in first place in the block and advanced to the final tournament.

In the final tournament, the match between One Eight FC (Sapporo City) who faced off in the first round, and Playful Hakodate Junior (Hakodate City), who has been running the runner-up in the EXILE CUP 2019, was impressive. One Eight FC scored the opening goal early in the start, and strengthened the offensive with linked movements and scored consecutive corner kicks. He took advantage of this set-piece chance to score a second goal, and added another point in the second half. Playful Hakodate Junior’s counterattack was held to one point in the first half, and he managed to get the victory with his skillful match.

Two teams, STS Chitose Pereda MCI (Chitose City) and Hasan Purple (Sapporo City), won the final tournament, featuring high-quality teams, led by the previous year’s winner FC Kitago PIVO (Sapporo City). STS Chitose Pereda MCI boasted outstanding stability, with no points in the final tournament, while Hakusan Purple has shown offensive power with 23 points in three qualifying league matches, while persistently keeping penalty shootouts and close games by one point in the final tournament.

Although the final match was the seventh game of the day, it was a good game that didn’t make each other feel tired. The ball quickly moves towards the ball, and both of them look for a momentary gap. The first person to break the balance was STS Chitose Peleda MCI. Kikuchi Ayato successfully broke through the left side and took the shot, and took the lead with a stellar shake of the net. STS Chitose Peleda MCI, who seized the flow, scored an additional goal in the first half, giving the score 2-0.

However, as the second half began, a fierce attack of cold purple began. The team scored multiple times with set pieces from the corner kick and powerful long shots, but Goreiro and Kusashima Yujin, a member of STS Chitose Peleda MCI, made a series of great saves. STS Chitose Peleda MCI, who kept a two-point lead, won the championship.

Shiraki Ryuichi, manager of STS Chitose Peleda MCI, said, “The team’s strong defensiveness is a strong and fast-paced personality. We first discussed how to start with defense and then take a good shot. What we value as a team is the most enjoyment. I think the players were able to enjoy themselves in today’s tournament as well.”

Kikuchi, who scored a spectacular goal in the final, commented, “As a whole team, I think it was good that we were able to spin the ball well and reach the goal. We don’t forget to have a spirit of challenging, and aim to improve the accuracy of our shots and win the national championship.” Kusashima from Goreiro expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “We were able to keep the four matches in the final tournament without conceding a goal was a great achievement. I think the reason for our victory was that we were able to make a solid decision. I would like to further hone my catching skills and win the national tournament!”

EXILE MAKIDAI watched the heated match, and summed up the tournament, saying, “The final was a passionate match, with a strong spirit that brought the spirit to the forefront. I was impressed by how much of the whole day, all the teams worked hard until the end. Their spirit of playing with all their might, surpassing victory or loss, was amazing, and I think it will definitely lead to the next match.”

The three members of iScream also said, “The impressive play I saw up close gave me goosebumps throughout the course! It was a long scene from morning to evening, but there were so many highlights I could feel in the moment, and I was so passionate about it that I cheered on. I was so moved, and I got the power to make me feel like I’ll try again tomorrow!” (RUI). “My younger brother was learning soccer and I often went to watch games, so I remembered that time with fond memories. I was able to interact with everyone on the pitch and at the event booths. I was very happy that the players were friendly and spoke to me, and it was a fun day” (YUNA). “It was interesting that the atmosphere and colours differed completely from team to team, so I kept watching with concentration. I was touched by the sight of all the players working hard towards participating in the national tournament, and the pure, life-size look on their faces. I was also touched by the way “EXILE” and “They also had a lot of fun watching the game.” “I’d like to come to CUP” and see more teams!” (HINATA), and each of them looked back at the tournament in their own words.

On this day, a blind soccer trial event was also held with the cooperation of the local blind soccer team Namara Hokkaido. Players and guests from each team participated and experienced playing in the same condition as a visually impaired player wearing an eye mask. This was a valuable opportunity for children to be responsible for the next generation to raise awareness of inclusiveness (a way of thinking that aims to create a society where all people can respect each other and live together).

The winner of the STS Chitose Pereda MCI won the right to participate in the final tournament to be held at Asics Satoyama Stadium (Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture) on September 14th, 2025. As a representative of Hokkaido, he will take on a big stage where strong teams from all over the country gather.

Interview and text = Noto Toruki Photo = Ueno Kimito