Challenge League Twentieth Round

Sfida Setagaya FC  2 - 2  FC Takahashi Kibikokusaidaigaku Charme
(Attendance: 289)

The students of Takahashi travelled to Setagaya knowing that they had secured second place in the division, but were keen to get revenge for their loss to their hosts earlier in the season, and to maintain momentum for the upcoming playoffs for entry to the Nadeshiko League.

Takahashi started with Fukui Shihori in place of Noma Fumika, and with Yamamoto Ayaka back in goal. Nagata Maya and top scorer Ishibuchi Yuki started for Setagaya. Within six minutes Setagaya had the lead. Takeda Arisa gave the ball away to Sasago Masae, and her attempt at a cross went straight into the net high over Yamamoto's head. Setagaya continued to push at a furious pace but were repeatedly off-target with their shooting.

Takahashi asserted themselves in midfield through Shigemasa, Takano and Nishikawa, and it was the Japan Under-20 star who found the equaliser. Having given a pass out to Sugita on the left wing, she raced into the box and when Sugita's powerful shot rebounded off the crossbar Nishikawa was there to head the ball over the line.

Setagaya continued to disappoint in front of goal, but suddenly found themselves back in front. A free kick on the left wing taken by Tanaka Mariko was headed on by Mori Hitomi and substitute Oshima Sayuri volleyed home expertly. That goal came in the 70th minute and for the rest of the game Takahashi piled on the pressure looking for the equaliser, and eventually in additional time Takahashi Chiho provided it. A free kick was awarded for a dangerous tackle just inside the Setagaya half, and with almost all of the Takahashi players waiting in the area, Takano's ball in was powered home by captain Takahashi for a well-deserved point.

Takahashi's next game is away to Tokiwagi Gakuen, while Setagaya take on Vegalta Sendai in the two top games next weekend. Although the title is now beyond them, Takahashi will look to continue their good form through to the end of the season. Setagaya move into third, and look forward to another attempt at promotion next season.

The FC Takahashi team which started against Sfida Setagaya today.
From left: Takahashi Chiho, Yamamoto Ayaka, Takeda Arisa, Sugita Ami, Matsushita Fumiko, Koike Ayano,
Muramatsu Mafuyu, Takano Saki, Shigemasa Kai, Fukui Shihori and Nishikawa Asuka

Mori Hitomi looks to take control in midfield

Takahashi Chiho wins a header close to the penalty area.
The tall striker eventually headed home the equalising goal in additional time.

Tanaka Mariko looks to escape from Takano Saki (10), with Shigemasa Kai (7) tracking back

Sasago Masae (15) with Nishikawa Asuka (8)

 

Fukui Shihori (13) fights with Tanaka Marina (14) for the ball

Sfida Setagaya FC:
Kawaguchi Mana, Fukuhara Nao, Okada Ayame, Tanaka Marina, Nagata Maya (capt), Minemoto Chizuru, Tanaka Mariko, Mori Hitomi, Sasago Masae, Ishibuchi Yuki, Nagasawa Yume
Subs: Oshima Sayuri (Ishibuchi Yuki, 64 mins), Chiba Emi (Minemoto Chizuru, 88 mins), Kawashima Tamai (Nagata Maya, 90 mins), Kuwahara Yoshie (Sasago Masae, 90+3 mins)
Unused subs: Osaki Aimi
Scorers: Sasago Masae (6 mins), Oshima Sayuri (70 mins)
Booked: Minemoto Chizuru, Sasago Masae, Tanaka Mariko

FC Takahashi Kibikokusaidaigaku Charme:
Yamamoto Ayaka, Takeda Arisa, Matsushita Fumiko, Muramatsu Mafuyu, Koike Ayano, Takano Saki, Nishikawa Asuka, Shigemasa Kai, Fukui Shihori, Sugita Ami, Takahashi Chiho (capt)
Subs: Kamata Ran (Koike Ayano, 73 mins), Noma Fumika (Fukui Shihori, 74 mins), Adachi Eriko (Matsushita Fumiko, 90 mins), Murakawa Saki (Sugita Ami, 90 mins)
Unused subs: Morimoto Kiyo
Scorers: Nishikawa Asuka (35 mins), Takahashi Chiho (90+1 mins)
Booked: Takahashi Chiho


Je Vrille Kagoshima  1 - 4  Vegalta Sendai Ladies
(Attendance: 406)

Kagoshima's largest home crowd of the season turned out for the visit of Vegalta Sendai, knowing that a win for the visitors combined with a loss for Takahashi would win them the title. Kagoshima took a surprise lead in the fourth minute, their top scorer Nakashima Ayaka shooting home from well outside the area. Sameshima Aya equalised quite soon after, with a shot from distance of her own, though Eguchi will be furious with herself that she couldn't keep the ball out having got a hand to it.

After 32 minutes Sendai's top scorer Ito made it 2-1, powering her way past the Kagoshima defence to strike well past Eguchi. Six minutes later Sameshima sealed it for Sendai, like Ito using her strength and speed to beguile the defence before shooting home. From a corner kick, a powerful header from Shiumokozuru - back in the starting lineup -  saw Sendai travel home in good heart with a 4-1 win.

Vegalta next travel to Tokyo to play Sfida Setagaya. Kagoshima next play against Nagano on the final day of the season.

Je Vrille Kagoshima:
Eguchi Mika, Miyazako Fumika, Nakae Maki (capt), Kurahara Honami, Hamada Erina, Imanaka Yuri, Niiho Madoka, Nozaki Ayumi, Sannomiya Shiki, Moriwaki Satsuki, Nakashima Ayaka
Subs: Shimada Naoko (Moriwaki Satsuki, 54 mins), Nijima Yuki (Sannomiya Shiki, 80 mins)
Unused subs: Mitsudome Kanami
Scorers: Nakashima Ayaka (4 mins)
Booked: Hamada Erina

Vegalta Sendai Ladies:
Amano Misaki, Nakamura Mami, Shimokozuru Aya (capt), Osafune Kana, Ideue Asako, Takahashi Nana, Uetsuji Yumi, Kakazu Asuka, Nakahara Saori, Sameshima Aya, Ito Minako
Subs: Sakai Yuki (Nakamura Mami, 58 mins), Kawashima Haruna (Nakahara Saori, 65 mins), Yasumoto Sawako (Kakazu Asuka, 66 mins), Yamamoto Risa (Ideue Asako, 86 mins)
Unused subs: Saita Yuki
Scorers: Sameshima Aya (8, 38 mins), Ito Minako (32 mins), Shimokozuru Aya (58 mins)


JFA Academy Fukushima  4 - 1  Tokiwagi Gakuen High School
(Attendance: 354)

Tokiwagi Gakuen's form has collapsed lately, and they hoped to turn things around today away to their schoolgirl rivals of the JFA Academy, making an emotional return to Fukushima. Michigami Ayaka gave the visitors the lead, following up after Sasaki Miwa had hit the crossbar, but thereafter it was one-way traffic as the Academy girls overpowered Tokiwagi, scoring four goals in thirty-one minutes. Kojima Miku scored her eighth of the season just before half time to level things up and in the second half Moriya, Norimatsu and Sunaga all scored - taking their combined total to seven for the season.

The Academy now moves three points ahead of Tokiwagi into fifth place, and next play JSCL knowing a win will almost certainly be enough to keep them top. Their final game is away to Takahashi, who Tokiwagi play next at home.

JFA Academy Fukushima:
Inoue Nene, Yamamori Anna, Norimatsu Ruka, Miyake Shiori (capt), Yoshitake Manami, Moriya Miyabi, Narumiya Yui, Mizutani Yuki, Kojima Miku, Masuya Rika, Sunaga Manami
Subs: Kadoi Megumi (Kojima Miku, 81 mins), Mori Sayaka (Miyake Shiori, 85 mins), Hashinuma Maho (Moriya Miyabi, 90+2 mins), Hirata Mai (Mizutani Yuki, 90+2 mins)
Unused subs: Hirao Chika
Scorers: Kojima Miku (45 mins), Moriya Miyabi (55 mins), Norimatsu Ruka (75 mins), Sunaga Manami (76 mins)

Tokiwagi Gakuen High School:
Hayashizaki Mei, Takamura Chisato, Okamori Kasane (capt), Okakura Mika, Nishikawa Ayaka, Hirata Miki, Sugihara Haruna, Ito Miki, Sasaki Miwa, Kawasaki Saya, Michigami Ayaka
Subs: Shiraki Akari (Sugihara Haruna, HT), Horii Mizuki (Kawasaki Saya, 73 mins), Kosuda Rina (Nishikawa Ayaka, 76 mins), Matsukubo Akari (Okakura Mika, 84 mins)
Unused subs: Fukumura Kanae
Scorers: Michigami Ayaka (28 mins)


Shizuoka Sangyo University Iwata Bonita  2 - 0  AC Nagano Parceiro Ladies
(Attendance: 120)

Nagano's chances of avoiding a relegation playoff are becoming slimmer by the week as they lost to Shizuoka today, finding themselves five points behind Bunnys. Nagano had more of the play and more of the chances, but Shizuoka scored first through captain Kanefuda Anzu, scoring from the spot just after the hour mark. Nagano pushed forward looking for an equaliser, but in additional time the game was up as Sayama headed home an Okuda corner to secure the points for Shizuoka.

Nagano's last two games are against Nittaidai and Kagoshima and must win both to have any chance of avoiding a playoff; Shizuoka take on Ehime in their next game hoping to overtake them in seventh place.

Shizuoka Sangyo University Iwata Bonita:
Maehara Ringo, Nishiyama Mei, Kitaoka Chiaki, Kanefuda Anzu (capt), Ishida Risa, Kanno Mie, Suzuki Rina, Sayama Momoko, Ito Mari, Okuda Mika, Shirai Aoi
Subs: Oda Kanna (Shirai Aoi, 58 mins), Ogata Yurika (Suzuki Rina, 79 mins), Takahata Airi (Kitaoka Chiaki, 85 mins), Atsumi Yuka (Kanno Mie, 90 mins)
Unused subs: Takahashi Miharu
Scorers: Kanefuda Anzu (61 mins), Sayama Momoko (90+2 mins)

AC Nagano Parceiro Ladies:
Matsumoto Azumi, Murayama Yuri, Tanaka Nami, Hatano Saki, Yamashita Mayumi, Hashiura Satsuki, Satou Kaede, Takagi Nao (capt), Hamagaki Kana, Uchiyama Tomoyo, Urasaki Yuka
Subs: Kitagawa Minamo (Yamashita Mayumi, 77 mins)
Unused subs: Sayama Marina, Hanabusa Misa


Bunnys Kyoto SC  0 - 0  Ehime FC Ladies
(Attendance: 100)

Ehime brought Marugata Rie back into the starting lineup, with Ogawa dropping to the bench, while Bunnys started with the same lineup as they had done against Nagano, and again they held on for a precious point. Both sides had chances to score in a lively game but neither could make the breakthrough. Bunnys stay two points above the relegation zone but have played a game more than their rivals. Ehime's target of finishing sixth is now unattainable, but they will be pleased if they can hold on to seventh at the end of the season.

Bunnys Kyoto SC:
Akiyama Tomomi (capt), Hanazaki Rena, Fujino Aiko, Ukita Kotone, Sada Fumika, Yamashita Yu, Watanabe Juri, Kinjo Keina, Fujimoto Ami, Miura Kyoko, Miyai Mina
Subs: Iwasa Megumi (Fujimoto Ami, 74 mins), Hattori Sae (Miyai Mina, 87 mins), Nakajima Akane (Iwasa Megumi, 88 mins)
Unused subs: Isashi Kaede
Booked: Sada Fumika, Fujimoto Ami, Hattori Sae

Ehime FC Ladies:
Mitsuhira Shiori, Kushiyama Saki, Onoyama Nana, Marugata Rie, Ogawa Akari, Iwamoto Yuka, Yamashiro Miyuki, Nishigawa Sayumi, Haruyama Saori, Akune Mana, Nakada Maiko (capt)
Subs: Niwa Mizuho (Haruyama Saori, 86 mins)
Unused subs: Osako Hanako, Sato Hiromi, Ogawa Manami, Senba Yuna
Booked: Nakada Maiko