1970 Japan v Benfica

Japan v Benfica - 1970

In 1970 Benfica, including the great Eusebio in their team, toured Japan playing three matches against the Japan National Team. The first game was played in Kobe on 25 August and was won 3-0 by Benfica. The second game played on 29 August in the Tokyo National Stadium was again won by Benfica by a score of 4-1. Benfica finished in style by hammering Japan 6-1 in the final match on 1 September, again in the Tokyo National Stadium.

Two official programmes were produced for Benfica's games in Japan in 1970.

The first programme sold only at the first game in Kobe is particularly rare. The programme has 16 x B5 pages in landscape format (with four pages of adverts) and is all in Japanese. The programme has two pages of introductions from the Japan FA etc. and then lists details of the three games to be played on the tour. There is an article on Benfica and full details of the Benfica squad are given including small pen-picture photos of some of the Benfica players and a large team photo on the centre pages. Details are given of the Japan squad without any small photos of the players.

The second programme, which covered all three games has 18 x B5 pages (including 4 pages of adverts) and is again all in Japanese. After the introductions, the programme includes full details of the Japan squad with small player photos of the players and officials. Full details of the Benfica squad are given including small pen-picture photos of some of the players and a larger team photo. There follows several articles on Benfica and its players. Finally there is a page to enter the scores/line-ups etc.

Programme - Tokyo

Ticket - 1 September