This time a German, Japanese and Turkish alliance was for good

The last time Turkey, Germany and Japan linked up, they made world wars.

Yesterday, they linked up soccer passing to help Lighthouse Christian Academy crush Highland Hall Waldorf School of Northridge 8-2.

A Turk, a German and a Japanese – all students at the Santa Monica Christian school – marshaled the ball at the Westwood Recreational Center with effortless grace and beauty. It looked ballet.

Originally from Turkey, winger Erhan Meric, a senior, scored three and set up one.

Nick Knapp, a freshman who spends summers in Germany, commanded the midfield, launching repeatedly dangerous through-balls. He scored one and set up two.

Studying English to teach in his native Japan, Shun Fukushige, a senior, helped the defensive line be a nearly impenetrable wall. He scored a 35-yard free kick that would have made David Beckham take note.

The last time Germany, Japan and Turkey allied themselves, “it wasn't good for us, but now we like it,” said Coach Jack Mefford. (In World War I, Turkey allied with Germany, and in World War II it stayed neutral while Japan formed part of the Axis powers.)

Foreign students have been popular as a source of revenue for private and public schools because they generally fall into a higher fee schedule – a boon for struggling schools like Lighthouse.

For their part, the so-called “parachute students” like to jump into the American schooling system to get a leg-up on university entrance.

A lot of times, they bring soccer skills with them to boost local varsity programs.

Such is the case of this year's Saints squad.

Nick was lavish in his praise of Turkish teammate: “That fool is god.”

After seeing Thursday's lopsided win, it's hard to not fall into hyperbole.

The United Nations meet-up showed a dominance and elegance. There's a reason why soccer is called “the beautiful sport.” Although only high schoolers, the Saints showed glimmers of that artistry.

But the foreigners weren't the only ones playing decisive ball. Alex Cervantes and Abraham Morales who flaunted the famous Latin footwork with the ball. Both scored goal.

Moses Bowen, a muscle-bound freshman, stood undaunted as stopper, timing his steals perfectly, matching touch with toughness.

Generally what happens when you play with superb players is that your own level rises.

Accordingly, freshman Joey Catalano executed a number interceptions, frustrating the Highland Hall attack.

Only in the second half when Lighthouse eased off the gas pedal did Highland Hall score a pair of consolation goals.

“We played on a small field which worked to our advantage because we took shots from all over the field,” Mefford said.

The foreigners made a huge impact, Mefford said. “They have a lot of playing time in their feet.”