[ SOCCER ]
Frank Lee, left, plays for three different teams to keep himself in shape at 70 years old.
Veterans shoot for Cup
The United States Amateur Soccer Association's 2004 Veterans Cup began pool play under sunny skies yesterday at the Waipio Peninsula Soccer Park.
The first matches started at noon following the opening ceremonies, which featured the 58 teams marching into the stadium, filling the mauka stands with a vast rainbow of colorful uniforms.
Men's and women's teams in age divisions from over-30 to over-55 will brave the hot weather for four days in their quest for a national title. The women's teams start at over-30 and the men at over-40, but there is no upper age limit.
That suits Frank Lee, a defender and sometime midfielder on the left side for Aloha United Silver competing in the men's over-55 division.
Lee, who celebrates his 70th birthday in September, can't seem to get enough soccer. He plays coed seven-a-side, coed 11-a-side and for Ohana in the Men's Island Soccer Organization's over-45 league.
Lee, who taught college theology in Hong Kong and was a medical lab technician here and on the mainland, says he is sort of retired but helps with the maintenance at the Aloha Nursing and Rehab Centre. It is his nature to stay active.
"For one thing, I need to exercise. I really need to exercise," said Lee. "If I exercise, I don't feel tired. I feel better. I can play a game every day, no problem. Sometimes I play two games in a row or have games on three consecutive days. I rarely miss a game."
He has been fortunate in the injury department, suffering a sprained ankle years ago, but nothing major.
"I'm careful out there. It makes no sense to hurt yourself. This is just a game, so you don't want to break any bones, especially at my age," said Lee. "I look forward to any game and will play as long as I can, maybe to 75. I still feel good on the field and my fundamentals are still there.
Lee was the oldest player to score a goal at the Supra Oldies Soccer Tournament in Australia last April. It came in a 1-0 Aloha United victory.
"I play defense, so I don't shoot often, but I saw no one (a defender) was there, so I shot a high ball from 18 yards by the post and it slipped through the goalkeeper's fingers," said Lee.
Lee's team opened against the defending division champs, Atlanta 55, yesterday and lost 6-0.
However, Aloha United Gold played California Gold to a 1-1 tie in the men's over-55 group.
On the other side of the coin is Theresa Cabanilla, a member of Vaiete's over-50 team that beat Cope Brothers (Wash.) 5-0 yesterday.
Cabanilla has battled shin splints, had surgery on her right knee and now has arthritis in both knees, but won't stop playing.
"It's the camaraderie. It's the sport. It's the overall feeling of the competition and that's a challenge at my age," said Cabanilla. "Besides that, I've known these girls for over 30 years."
Vaiete's over-40 women's team also opened with a win, 1-0 over Texas Heat on a goal by Millie Dydasco. The former Castle standout and first woman from Hawaii to play pro soccer, with stints in Japan and Brazil, flew in from San Francisco for the tournament.
The goal came in the second half when Nancy McGovern headed an indirect free kick from the right side to Dydasco who was waiting at the 6-yard line and easily beat the Texas goalkeeper.
Imua Wahine lost to Northwest Connection 4-0 in the same division.
In the four-team women's over-30 division, Leahi Blue and Leahi Green posted 3-2 victories over MOJO (Calif. South) and Team Duck Tape (Wash.), respectively.
In men's over-50 action, Kutis (Mo.) beat Aloha United 4-0 and California Gold stopped Maui Makule 7-1.
Seattle Sounders Select blanked Mixed Plate 5-0 and Cascade Avalanche (Ore.) edge Luahine 1-0 in women's over-55 play.
In men's over-40 premier Tri-Alliance (Wash.) shut out Real Hawaii FC 1-0.
In men's over-40 first division, F.C. Kona lost to I.O.U. (Iowa/Oklahoma) 6-0, Vaiete blanked Cafe Racers (Wash.) 5-0, Mulligan Maui edged Houston WHNP 2-1 and Honolulu United tied Sacramento 3-3.
