Well…
It’s official.
Tomorrow’s Nadeshiko League fixture between SFIDA Setagaya FC and Nippatsu Yokohama FC Seagulls has been postponed.
The club confirmed on Friday that, due to the approaching typhoon and severe weather forecast across Tokyo, the match had been postponed. It wasn’t a football decision. It was a safety decision, and I think it was absolutely the right one.
As disappointed as I am, it’s difficult to argue otherwise.
There’ll be another football match.
There won’t be another chance if somebody gets hurt trying to get there.
The replacement date will be announced through the club’s website and social media once it’s been arranged, while supporters who bought advance tickets will also receive information regarding refunds or transfers.
So first of all…
To everyone connected with both clubs, whether you’re travelling, volunteering, playing or simply supporting from afar, stay safe.
The football can wait.
That does leave me with one rather unexpected problem though.
My Saturday suddenly became a lot emptier.
I’d already planned the coffee. I’d already planned the football.
So, if you’re anything like me and suddenly have a few unexpected hours to fill, here are five things I’d recommend instead.
1. Watch New Zealand vs Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
If you’re already keeping an eye on the 2026 World Cup schedule, you’ve still got some football to enjoy.
Granted, kickoff comes four hours earlier than the SFIDA game would’ve, but that’s hardly a hardship when the weather is encouraging everyone to stay indoors anyway.
I’m quietly backing New Zealand to make life uncomfortable for Belgium.
Belgium simply haven’t looked convincing throughout this tournament. They’re still packed with talent, but they’ve lacked rhythm, confidence and a bit of identity.
The expanded tournament has already produced plenty of unexpected stories, and as more nations join the list of 2026 World Cup eliminated teams, it feels like another upset is never too far away.
It’s also been refreshing to see so many supporters able to experience the tournament thanks to the 2026 World Cup’s greater affordability than in previous editions.
Hopefully, New Zealand add another memorable chapter.
2. Rewatch Japan Winning the AFC Women’s Asian Cup
If you need another football fix, women’s football specifically, I’d genuinely recommend sitting down with Japan’s Asian Cup Final victory over Australia, from earlier this year. Here is the full YouTube video.
Was it the greatest spectacle? Probably not.
Was it memorable? Absolutely.
Winning 1-0 away from home, against the hosts, inside a packed Stadium Australia, wasn’t about playing beautiful football for ninety minutes.
It was about resilience. Sometimes defending brilliantly deserves just as much appreciation as attacking brilliantly.
I’ve found myself watching that match more than once this year, and every time it reminds me how difficult winning trophies actually is.
3. Finally, Sort Out That Clothes Drawer
Every house has one.
That drawer.
The one where old football shirts, random socks and T-shirts you’ve somehow convinced yourself you’ll wear again all end up living together.
A rainy afternoon is probably the perfect excuse.
If it doesn’t fit anymore… Donate it.
If it’s worn out…Recycle it.
If you forgot you even owned it…
That probably tells you everything you need to know.
Just sort them into piles and discard as desired when safe to do so.
In the future, you will quietly appreciate having a little more space.
4. Go Down a Football Rabbit Hole
One of my favourite things to do when I unexpectedly find myself with a free afternoon is to disappear into football history.
Pick a club you’ve always been curious about.
Watch an old World Cup.
Read about a forgotten season.
Spend half an hour on Wikipedia, which somehow turns into three.
You’d be amazed at what you stumble across.
Maybe it’s a brilliant player whose career you’ve somehow never appreciated. Maybe it’s a club with an incredible story. Maybe it’s a league on the other side of the world that suddenly has you checking fixtures every weekend.
I’ve lost entire evenings reading about Yugoslav football, obscure Japanese clubs, old FIFA rankings, promotion systems in countries I’ve never visited… and I’ve never regretted it.
Football is far too big a sport to only watch the matches happening today.
Sometimes the best part is discovering something you’ve somehow missed.
5. Learn a Little More of Another Language
I’ve been trying to improve my Japanese little by little.
Some days it’s five minutes.
Some days it’s twenty.
Progress isn’t always dramatic, but it slowly adds up.
Whether you’ve got a holiday planned, a work trip coming up or you’re simply interested in another culture, apps like Busuu or Duolingo are an easy way to fill half an hour that would’ve otherwise disappeared.
And who knows?
The next time you’re travelling, ordering a coffee or simply saying hello might feel that little bit easier.
Or…
You could simply watch old SFIDA Setagaya FC matches instead.
They’re all still sitting on YouTube waiting patiently.
I might even end up doing exactly that…look, above I’ve picked a random one…
It’s disappointing not to be writing about another league fixture this weekend.
I was looking forward to seeing whether SFIDA could bounce back, and matches against the Seagulls always seem to carry a little extra intrigue.
Instead, nature has had the final say.
Sometimes football reminds us that, for all the planning, analysis and anticipation we pour into it, there are still things far bigger than the game itself.
Stay safe if you’re in the affected areas.
We’ll be here when the football returns.
And when it does…
Let’s support SFIDA… by doing something else this weekend.
doragon sports 