MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- For the past seven weeks the Station has been holding an Intramural 6-on-6 Soccer Tournament.
The tournament composed of four teams was used to familiarize the players with each other.
Different rules were incorporated into these games compared to regular soccer games.
Ralph Wright, Delta team member, explained that "In order to start a game there had to be a minimum of four players for each team when the referee blew his whistle. Each team was allowed a maximum of six players on the field and 10 on the roster."
He added that because the goal was so small the teams didn't need to appoint a goalie.
According to John E. Idland, United player, the seven-week long tournament was designed to prepare the Iwakuni Station Varsity Team for an upcoming game in Okinawa.
"The intramural tournament was a warm up to prepare for the Pacific Rim Regional Tournament in Okinawa," said Wright.
"A team comprised of 16 players will head to Okinawa to participate and compete against other Marine Corps teams around the Pacific region," added Wright.
Idland added that winning the tournament in Okinawa is critical for team members hoping to play on the All-Marine Soccer team.
"By winning this tournament we will be able to send more players from Iwakuni to the All-Marine Soccer Camp," he said.
For more information on the All-Marine Soccer Team log on to www.usmc-mccs.org/SemperFit/sports /l.