Challenge League Eighteenth Round

Sameshima on target as Vegalta win in Kyoto;

Takahashi show no signs of slowing down

Bunnys Kyoto SC  1 - 3  Vegalta Sendai Ladies
(Attendance: 520)

Having beaten Bunnys by eleven goals to one in Sendai, Vegalta's fans could have been forgiven for expecting another comfortable rout in the return fixture in Kyoto. Sameshima Aya started for the first time for Sendai, replacing Koyama while Miura and Kinjo returned to the Bunnys starting eleven.

Vegalta attacked hard from the start with Ito, Yasumoto, Kawashima and Sameshima all in fine form. Sameshima hit the crossbar after a fine run but that was as close as Sendai came in the first half. At half-time Koyama and Nakahara replaced Yasumoto and Kawashima.

Koyama was to have an immediate impact upon coming on. From a Uetsuji corner Shimokozuru headed against the crossbar and Koyama lashed home the rebound. That goal came three minutes into the second half and a second was to come eight minutes later. A long ball down the left from Ideue was perfectly weighted for Sameshima to run onto and having controlled the ball beautifully and taken it around goalkeeper Akiyama, sidefooted home for her first goal for the club.

With twelve minutes remaining Osafune Kana also got in on the act, scoring her first goal for Sendai. A free kick into the area taken by Ideue was headed on by Koyama and Osafune pounced on the ball to poke it home. On ninety minutes Kinjo pulled one back for Bunnys, just as she had done in Sendai.

Bunnys are next in action on the 13th of October against Nagano, in an extremely important match for both sides. Sendai take on Shizuoka in Ishinomaki on the Miyagi coast, knowing that they are now very much within touching distance of the Nadeshiko League.

Bunnys Kyoto SC:
Akiyama Tomomi, Hanazaki Rena, Fujino Aiko, Ii Kiyono, Sada Fumika, Ukita Kotone, Yamashita Yu, Watanabe Juri, Miura Kyoko (capt), Kinjo Keina, Miyai Mina
Subs: Fujimoto Ami (Miyai Mina, 72 mins)
Unused subs: Isashi Kaede, Hattori Sae, Hirota Yukie, Kawachi Erika
Scorers: Kinjo Keina (90 mins)

Vegalta Sendai Ladies:
Amano Misaki, Nakamura Mami, Shimokozuru Aya (capt), Osafune Kana, Ideue Asako, Kakazu Asuka, Uetsuji Yumi, Yasumoto Sawako, Kawashima Haruna, Sameshima Aya, Ito Minako
Subs: Nakahara Saori (Kawashima Haruna, HT), Koyama Kie (Yasumoto Sawako, HT), Sakai Yuki (Nakamura Mami, 78 mins)
Unused subs: Saita Yuki, Takahashi Nana
Scorers: Koyama Kie (48 mins), Sameshima Aya (56 mins), Osafune Kana (78 mins)


Je Vrille Kagoshima  0 - 5  FC Takahashi Kibikokusaidaigaku Charme
(Attendance: 258)

Takahashi once again produced a scintillating performance in sweeping aside Kagoshima in much the same fashion as they had done Shizuoka. Regular goalkeeper Yamamoto was back in the Takahashi side, and former Takahashi player Sannomiya Shiki returned to Kagoshima's starting lineup.

Takahashi completely dominated the game, and two first half goals set them on their way. Nishikawa Asuka headed in after 30 minutes, with Noma Fumika following up ten minutes later. The aggressive Shigemasa was heavily involved in the build-up to both goals. In the second half Shigemasa continued where she left off, supplying the pass for Sugita Ami to score the third, taking her to ten for the season; three minutes later Noma headed in her second of the day.

In injury time Tachibana Rei, who had come on for Shigemasa just thirteen minutes earlier, scored her first of the season to bring the total number of scorers for Takahashi to fifteen.

The playoff is firmly in Takahashi's sights, and another win over Nittaidai, or a Setagaya loss to Tokiwagi, would confirm second place for the student side. While still in with a chance of winning the division, Vegalta Sendai remain firm favourites to pip them. Kagoshima next play JSCL in a game they will expect to win.

Je Vrille Kagoshima:
Eguchi Mika, Miyazako Fumika, Hamada Erina, Nakae Maki (capt), Kurahara Honami, Niiho Madoka, Nozaki Ayumi, Shimada Naoko, Sannomiya Shiki, Imanaka Yuri, Nakashima Ayaka
Subs: Moriwaki Satsuki (Shimada Naoko, 77 mins)
Unused subs: Nijima Yuki, Mitsudome Kanami

FC Takahashi Kibikokusaidaigaku Charme:
Yamamoto Ayaka, Takeda Arisa, Matsushita Fumiko, Muramatsu Mafuyu, Koike Ayano, Takano Saki, Sugita Ami, Shigemasa Kai, Nishikawa Asuka, Noma Fumika, Takahashi Chiho (capt)
Subs: Kamata Ran (Koike Ayano, HT), Tanaka Shiho (Matsushita Fumiko, 79 mins), Fukui Shihori (Takeda Arisa, 79 mins), Tachibana Rei (Shigemasa Kai, 79 mins)
Unused subs: Morimoto Kiyo
Scorers: Nishikawa Asuka (30 mins), Noma Fumika (40, 70 mins), Sugita Ami (67 mins), Tachibana Rei (90+2 mins)


Sfida Setagaya FC  1 - 0  JFA Academy Fukushima
(Attendance: 204)

Sfida Setagaya took on a JFA Academy side much depleted as a result of the Under-17 World Cup taking place in Azerbaijan. The game couldn't have come at a better time for Setagaya, as they were in desperate need of a win following their embarrassing loss to Ehime and resulting ten point gap to second-placed Takahashi.

Setagaya took the lead early, Tanaka Marina striking the goal from a corner kick, and it was fully expected that they would push on for more goals. However the JFA's senior players - Yoshitake, Kadoi and Mizutani - stepped up and having not had any shots on goal in the first half, produced eight in the second as Setagaya were rattled. The Academy girls were helped enormously when early in the second half Nagata Maya became the second Setagaya player to be sent off this season - a record in either division.

Setagaya held on for the win, and still have a mathematical chance of catching Takahashi in second, but a failure to beat Tokiwagi on October 7th would spell the end. The JFA Academy's next game is away to Ehime on the 14th, and were the Japanese Under-17 side to progress to the semi-finals of the World Cup, their stars players would miss that game.

Sfida Setagaya FC:
Kawaguchi Mana, Fukuhara Nao, Kawashima Tamai (capt), Nagata Maya, Tanaka Marina, Mori Hitomi, Tanaka Mariko, Sasago Masae, Oshima Sayuri, Minemoto Chizuru, Nagasawa Yume
Subs: Ishibuchi Yuki (Oshima Sayuri, HT), Kuwahara Yoshie (Minemoto Chizuru, 54 mins), Usuda Haruka (Ishibuchi Yuki, 90 mins), Kotabe Yuri (Sasago Masae, 90+3 mins)
Unused subs: Muramatsu Yuki
Scorers: Tanaka Marina (9 mins)
Sent off: Nagata Maya

JFA Academy Fukushima:
Asano Natsumi, Sunaga Manami, Yamamori Anna (capt), Yoshitake Manami, Mori Sayaka, Kadoi Megumi, Mizutani Yuki, Moriya Miyabi, Ikeda Mao, Tachibana Yo, Morita Umi
Subs: Hirata Mai (Tachibana Yo, 66 mins)
Unused subs: Ueda Yuriko


AC Nagano Parceiro Ladies  1 - 1  Ehime FC Ladies
(Attendance: 166)

Ehime travelled to Nagano buoyed by their extremely impressive five goal rout of Setagaya, determined to continue their recent good run. Osako Hanako regained her place in goal for Ehime, with the team's senior player Sato Hiromi returning to a starting role in defence having been dropped for the prior five games. Nagano had lost their previous nine games, but had shown promise in their defeat to Vegalta Sendai. For them Yamashita dropped to the bench while Sayama regained her starting place.

Ehime had the majority of the possession and the chances in the first half but could not find a way through to goal. Eventually on the hour mark some good work by the impressively busy Haruyama Saori in midfield led to a goal from Ehime's top scorer Nakada Maiko - her twelfth of the season underlying her importance to the team. Nagano were not to be overwhelmed by the continuing Ehime pressure, and ten minutes later a pass down the middle from captain Takagi found Hashiura and she scored her first in six games to give Nagano a share of the spoils, in a repeat of the scoreline in the match between these sides earlier in the season.

Ehime remain the best of the bottom six sides, with 22 points from 18 games. With four games remaining and a seven point gap to the JFA Academy they are unlikely to break into the top six even if they beat the Academy girls in their next outing, but it has nonetheless been an impressive first season in the Challenge League. The point which Nagano picked up may prove to be crucial, as they close to within three points of JSCL and four of Bunnys, the only side that they have beaten this season, and the team whom they next play. Another win over the Kyoto outfit will make the relegation run-in extremely tight.

AC Nagano Parceiro Ladies:
Matsumoto Azumi, Murayama Yuri, Tanaka Nami, Hatano Saki, Sayama Marina, Hashiura Satsuki, Satou Kaede, Takagi Nao (capt), Hamagaki Kana, Uchiyama Tomoyo, Urasaki Yuka
Subs: Yamashita Mayumi (Sayama Marina, 76 mins)
Unused subs: Kitagawa Minamo, Hanabusa Misa
Scorers: Hashiura Satsuki (70 mins)

Ehime FC Ladies:
Osako Hanako, Kushiyama Saki, Sato Hiromi, Nishigawa Sayumi, Ogawa Akari, Iwamoto Yuka, Yamashiro Miyuki, Haruyama Saori, Ogawa Manami, Akune Mana, Nakada Maiko (capt)
Subs: Niwa Mizuho (Ogawa Manami, HT), Marugata Rie (Kushiyama Saki, 82 mins)
Unused subs: Kikuchi Riho, Yamada Maya, Senba Yuna
Scorers: Nakada Maiko (60 mins)


Shizuoka Sangyo University Iwata Bonita  3 - 2  Japan Soccer College Ladies
(Attendance: 92)

Shizuoka finally got back to winning ways against JSCL following seven games without a win, including heavy losses to Bunnys, Setagaya and most recently Takahashi. Their starting eleven was the same as that which faced their fellow students in Okayama last week, while JSCL were also unchanged from their previous hammering of Bunnys in early August.

As early as the second minute Shizuoka had the lead. Okuda Mika was found through the middle by Ogata, and the oldest of the Shizuoka students found the net for her eighth goal of the season, bringing her level with fellow striker Oda Kanna as joint top scorers for the club.

The JSCL students didn't panic and on eighteen minutes had an equaliser. A free kick taken by Sakaguchi caused panic in the box, and Shanou Miki was on hand to knock the ball home. The game remained deadlocked until after the hour, and it took a double strike from Kanno Mie to break JSCL - her first coming on 64 minutes and the second just three minutes later.

JSCL are fighting for survival at the bottom, and the player fighting most is captain Toriumi Mai, who scored her fifth goal in four games to bring her side back into the contest with nine minutes remaining. JSCL pushed hard for an equaliser but it was not to be. With just three games remaining their next home game against Kagoshima is a must-win. Shizuoka are now safe in eighth with twenty points, as they travel to Ishinomaki to take on heavy favourites Vegalta Sendai. In their first meeting Shizuoka led with just five minutes remaining, but eventually succumbed to two late goals following extraordinary Vegalta pressure. They will hope to give a good account of themselves again in front of what will be the largest crowd they have yet played in front of.

Shizuoka Sangyo University Iwata Bonita:
Maehara Ringo, Hirata Misato, Sayama Momoko, Kanefuda Anzu (capt), Nishiyama Mei, Ito Mari, Kanno Mie, Ogata Yurika, Ishida Risa, Oda Kanna, Okuda Mika
Subs: Kitaoka Chiaki (Hirata Misato, 27 mins), Nishigaya Yukino (Ogata Yurika, 86 mins)
Unused subs: Terada Ikumi, Takahata Airi, Atsumi Yuka
Scorers: Okuda Mika (2 mins), Kanno Mie (64, 67 mins)

Japan Soccer College Ladies:
Fukada Ayami, Hayashimoto Saki, Takahashi Sakura, Kusakari Ayako, Sakaguchi Yuki, Shanou Miki, Usui Rika, Kato Yoshimi, Toriumi Mai (capt), Sasaki Shiori, Iwasaki Manami
Unused subs: Goto Sanae, Sakai Manami, Matsumoto Hotaru, Nakayama Aoi, Toyota Yuri
Scorers: Shanou Miki (18 mins), Toriumi Mai (81 mins)