Nadeshiko League Second Round

JEF United Ichihara Chiba Ladies  1 - 0  Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies
(Attendance: 671)

An early Fukusawa Risa goal was enough for JEF United to beat Urawa Reds and give them their first three points of the season, one which promises much for both sides.

JEF United Ichihara Chiba Ladies:
Yamane Erina, Ueno Saki, Sakuramoto Naoko (capt), Takahashi Sachie, Chino Shoko, Ikadai Risa, Yanai Rina, Kitagawa Saki, Kawamura Yuri, Fukasawa Risa, Ogawa Shiho
Subs: Hosokawa Motoyo (Kitagawa Saki, 61 mins), Kamogawa Miho (Ikadai Risa, 77 mins), Anzai Yuka (Kamogawa Miho, 90+1 mins)
Unused subs: Funada Mayu, Yamamoto Naomi
Scorers: Fukasawa Risa (12 mins)

Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies:
Ikeda Sakiko, Ishii Saki, Sakamoto Riho, Kohata Shiho, Saito Akane, Shibata Hanae, Fujita Nozomi, Kishikawa Natsuki, Kato Chika, Yasuda Yuki, Goto Michi (capt)
Subs: Kira Chinatsu (Kato Chika, HT)
Unused subs: Tajiri Yumi, Takeuchi Nozomi, Dozono Ayano, Kurishima Akari


FC Kibikokusaidaigaku Charme  1 - 1  Vegalta Sendai Ladies
(Attendance: 1,479)

The students of FC Kibikokusaidaigaku were suitably delighted to score their first goal and pick up their first point in their first Nadeshiko League campaign. Vegalta Sendai were making their second trip to Okayama in succession and were hopeful of returning with all three points. Yamamoto Marin gave the home side a dream start, scoring following a scramble caused by Nishikawa's thundering shot against the crossbar. In the second half Ito Minako scored a sensational goal to take a point back to Miyagi.

FC Kibikokusaidaigaku Charme:
Morimoto Kiyo, Takeda Arisa, Imanishi Azusa, Muramatsu Mafuyu, Kamata Ran, Shigemasa Kai, Sugita Ami (capt), Hamamoto Marin, Nishikawa Asuka, Takahashi Chiho, Noma Fumika
Subs: Fukui Shihori (Noma Fumika, 69 mins), Adachi Eriko (Hamamoto Marin, 79 mins)
Unused subs: Isashi Kaede, Nakai Yuna, Yoshitake Manami
Scorers: Hamamoto Marin (4 mins)

Vegalta Sendai Ladies:
Amano Misaki, Nakamura Mami, Shimokozuru Aya (capt), Takahashi Nana, Sasaki Mayu, Yasumoto Sawako, Kakazu Asuka, Uetsuji Yumi, Takara Ryoko, Ono Hitomi, Ito Minako
Subs: Inoue Ayaka (Kakazu Asuka, 57 mins), Sakai Yuki (Shimokozuru Aya, 64 mins), Koyama Kie (Ono Hitomi, 72 mins)
Unused subs: Saita Yuki, Ideue Asako
Scorers: Ito Minako (65 mins)


Iga FC Kunoichi  1 - 0  Okayama Yunogo Belle
(Attendance: 975)

A goal by Sonomura Nana right at the death gave Iga a huge win over last year's third-placed Belle, who are yet to pick up a point.

Iga FC Kunoichi:
Kuno Fubuki, Miyasako Tamami, Ono Suzuka, Sato Ai, Yamaguchi Ayako, Nasu Maiko (capt), Haji Madoka, Kobayashi Makiko, Tsutsumi Saki, Matsunaga Yoshie, Nakade Hikari
Subs: Sakaguchi Sakie (Tsutsumi Saki, HT), Noichi Aya (Haji Madoka, 79 mins), Sonomura Nana (Matsunaga Yoshie, 86 mins)
Unused subs: Michikura Hiroko, Kiyohara Marie
Scorers: Sonomura Nana (90+3 mins)
Booked: Kobayashi Makiko

Okayama Yunogo Belle:
Fukumoto Miho (capt), Yasuda Kuniko, Kado Yuka, Miyazaki Yuka, Takahashi Haruka, Mizushima Kumi, Nakano Manami, Miyama Aya, Yokoyama Kumi, Arimachi Saori, Matsuoka Miki
Subs: Nakagawa Chihiro (Yokoyama Kumi, 77 mins)
Unused subs: Ikegaya Natsumi, Sakai Nozomi, Nagamachi Yuri, Fushiki Kaho
Booked: Arimachi Saori


Albirex Niigata Ladies  1 - 6  INAC Kobe Leonessa
(Attendance: 1,260)

Niigata made one change for the visit of INAC Kobe, with Yamazaki Marumi starting in place of Kodama Keiko while the visitors made two changes. Tanaka Yoko and Isokane Midori came in for Takase Megumi and Kai Junko. The weather in Niigata was cold and rainy making for miserable conditions for players and supporters alike.

After just two minutes Kamionobe had a tremendous chance to score for Niigata, having powered her way through the INAC defence, but her shot was poor and it went wide off the right hand post. The home side continued to have the best of the opening exchanges and Oishi Sayaka had a difficult chance which went wide. On nine minutes Niigata had the ball in the net but it was ruled offside. All of the early signs were that Niigata had the ability to beat INAC if they maintained their good start.

INAC Kobe had their first chance on 14 minutes when Ji So Yun hit the crossbar with a free kick from just outside the area, but so far the visitors were well below their usual standard.

In the twenty-fourth minute following a lull, Niigata once again pushed forward and from a lay-off by Oishi, Yamazaki Marumi scored a tremendous goal, finding the top right hand corner from outside the box, and it was no more than the home side deserved for their efforts.

INAC started to play better following this stinging goal and when Kawasumi found Goebel-Yanez in the box she swivelled and powerfully struck into the net past Ichitani to level things up on 32 minutes. That was only INAC's second shot in the game and they were somewhat fortunate to be on level terms. Another similar run down the right by Kawasumi a few minutes later also resulted in a chance for Goebel-Yanez, and most of INAC's good work was being done by this pair. INAC Kobe finished the half much stronger than they had initially and had exerted some sustained pressure on the Niigata defence, though both sides will have gone in to the break feeling that they could go on to win in the second half.

INAC took the lead in the opening minutes of the second half as Ji found Kawasumi on the right side of the area following a mistake by Oishi and the captain had no trouble sidefooting into the far side of the net to give the champions the lead. It only took another five minutes for INAC to have a third. This time it was Minamiyama and again it was from the right side that the danger came. Goebel-Yanez did very well to gain control of the ball in the box under pressure and her pass back to Minamiyama was finished off expertly. All of the early pressure that Niigata had been able to exert had more or less evaporated.

A pentrating run by Tanaka Yoko into the box following a short pass from Ji saw the young player bundled over and she herself stepped up to take the penalty which she calmly slotted into the side of the net. That game with just under half an hour to go and having started so well, Niigata were now looking a well-beaten team.

Minamiyama scored again on 68 minutes to make it 5-1 after she had put pressure on Sakaguchi and Goebel-Yanez was there to play the one-two with Minamiyama and having only scored once all last season, she now had two in one game.

Thereafter INAC Kobe were very comfortable, with their main problem being at the back, where Isokane was very unsure and was dispossessed easily more than once. Just as time was running out, substitute Michigami Ayaka scored her first goal in the Nadeshiko League having scored 30 last year in the Challenge League.

Albirex Niigata Ladies:
Ichitani Tomoko, Yamamoto Arina, Nakamura Kaede, Kitahara Kana, Obara Yuria, Saeki Aya, Saito Yuri, Sakaguchi Moeno, Kamionobe Megumi (capt), Yamazaki Marumi, Oishi Sayaka
Subs: Kodama Keiko (Sakaguchi Moeno, 70 mins), Hirai Sakina (Saeki Aya, 70 mins), Kubota Mayu (Oishi Sayaka, 82 mins)
Unused subs: Koganemaru Sachie, Takamura Chisato
Scorers: Yamazaki Marumi (24 mins)
Booked: Kitahara Kana

INAC Kobe Leonessa:
Kaihori Ayumi, Nakajima Emi, Isokane Midori, Tanaka Asuna, Watanabe Ayaka, Ji So Yun, Sawa Homare, Minamiyama Chiaki, Kawasumi Nahomi (capt), Beverly Goebel-Yanez, Tanaka Yoko
Subs: Michigami Ayaka (Tanaka Yoko, 79 mins)
Unused subs: Takenaka Rei, Shimizu Akane, Imai Haruka, Nakada Ayu
Scorers: Beverly Goebel-Yanez (32 mins), Kawasumi Nahomi (50 mins), Minamiyama Chiaki (55, 68 mins), Tanaka Yoko (63 mins,pen), Michigami Ayaka (90+3 mins)


Speranza FC Osaka Takatsuki  1 - 3  NTV Beleza
(Attendance: 895)

Takatsuki were again beaten and for Beleza Momiki Yuka did the damage, scoring twice in the second half along with the considerably more experienced Sakaguchi as the visitors maintain their 100% start to the season.

Speranza FC Osaka Takatsuki:
Ono Maya, Tsuboi Ayako, Hatanaka Miyuka, Okuda Akiko (capt), Akiba Yumeko, Sato Kaede, Shimamura Yuko, Torao Naomi, Matsuda Nozomi, Kanjana Sung-Ngoen, Maruyama Karina
Subs: Asano Miki (Hatanaka Miyuka, 66 mins), Pitsamai Sornsai (Kanjana Sung-Ngoen, 68 mins), Hazuki Yuki (Shimamura Yuko, 71 mins)
Unused subs: Suzuki Risa, Honda Saki
Scorers: Hazuki Yuki (81 mins)
Booked: Akiba Yumeko

NTV Beleza:
Soyama Kanako, Shimizu Risa, Iwashimizu Azusa (capt), Sudo Akiko, Ariyoshi Saori, Hara Natsuko, Sumida Rin, Hasegawa Yui, Tanaka Mina, Momiki Yuka, Kiryu Nanase
Subs: Nakasato Yu (Hara Natsuko, HT mins), Sakaguchi Mizuho (Kiryu Nanase, 80 mins)
Unused subs: Mochizuki Arisa, Doko Mayo, Kobayashi Miharu
Scorers: Momiki Yuka (46, 90+3 mins), Sakaguchi Mizuho (87 mins)

Nadeshiko League First Round

Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies  3 - 0  Speranza FC Osaka Takatsuki
(Attendance: 2,629)

The home side got their 2013 campaign with a spirited and skillful victory over a Takatsuki side expected to struggle again this season. Fujita Nozomi only scored once last season, but she got her side off to a good start with an early goal. In the second half Yasuda and Goto scored two in three minutes to make the game safe.

Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies:
Ikeda Sakiko, Ishii Saki, Sakamoto Riho, Kohata Shiho, Saito Akane, Shibata Hanae, Kishikawa Natsuki, Fujita Nozomi, Kato Chika, Yasuda Yuki, Goto Michi (capt)
Subs: Kira Chinatsu (Kato Chika, 73 mins), Kurishima Akari (Fujita Nozomi, 84 mins), Wada Naoko (Saito Akane, 90 mins)
Unused subs: Tajiri Yumi, Takeuchi Nozomi
Scorers: Fujita Nozomi (6 mins), Yasuda Yuki (68 mins), Goto Michi (71 mins)
Booked: Sakamoto Riho

Speranza FC Osaka Takatsuki:
Ono Maya, Tsuboi Ayako, Okuda Akiko (capt), Akiba Yumeko, Sato Kaede, Itami Emi, Torao Naomi, Hatanaka Miyuka, Kanjana Sung-Ngoen, Maruyama Karina, Matsuda Nozomi
Subs: Asano Miki (Hatanaka Miyuka, 45 mins), Honda Saki (Itami Emi, 75 mins), Shimamura Yuko (Matsuda Nozomi, 75 mins)
Unused subs: Suzuki Risa, Ikeda Asumi
Booked: Sato Kaede, Tsuboi Ayako


NTV Beleza  2 - 0  FC Kibikokusaidaigaku Charme
(Attendance: 865)

Beleza got their challenge off to a solid start against newly promoted FC Kibikokusaidaigaku Charme in western Tokyo today, with many young players making an impression. For Kibi Hamamoto Marin started having just enrolled from Osaka Toin High School and Imanishi Azusa made her first start since the team's visit to Sendai last summer.

Beleza were more comfortable on the ball, with Shimizu impressing at right back and Hara Natsuko made some encouraging forward runs. Tanaka Mina was the most dangerous of the Beleza players and it was her attacking run into the box in the 37th minute which led to the first goal, with her pass inside finding Kiryu who easily scored. Prior to that, Kibi had had the best chance to score when Sugita found herself in space following a fine glancing header from Takahashi Chiho, but the shot was scuffed wide.

Nakasato Yu was introduced in place of Hara at the start of the second half and she scored to end the game as a contest very soon after coming on. Momiki Yuka had made a good attacking move down the left and her shot was followed by some confusion in the defence, and Nakasato didn't need to be asked twice in finishing off.

Kibi grew in confidence in the second half and were able to play somewhat better and were not too disheartened at the end of the game, and expressed hope that they can compete with the other sides in the league in the coming fixtures.

The cherry blossoms were in bloom in western Tokyo for the opening day of the new season

Sugita had the first chance of the game but scuffed her shot wide

The Charme players are relieved to see Tanaka Mina's shot fly over the bar

Kiryu Nanase was a constant threat and scored the opening goal on 37 minutes

Imanishi Azusa was injured in the first half but was able to complete the game safely

Nakasato Yu made an immediate impact upon coming on, scoring the decisive second goal

The experienced Iwashimizu (#22) and Sudo (#4) dealt with the threat of Takahashi very well

Tanaka Mina was a thorn in Kibi's side all afternoon

Kibi captain Sugita Ami looks to break through the Beleza defence

Momiki Yuka was very lively, here she looks to shoot with Takeda defending

Noma Fumika (#9) came on as a substitute in the second half for Kibi

Morimoto Kiyo produced a fine save to deny Hasegawa Yui

NTV Beleza:
Soyama Kanako, Shimizu Risa, Iwashimizu Azusa (capt), Sudo Akiko, Ariyoshi Saori, Hara Natsuko, Sumida Rin, Hasegawa Yui, Tanaka Mina, Momiki Yuka, Kiryu Nanase
Subs: Nakasato Yu (Hara Natsuko, HT), Kobayashi Miharu (Momiki Yuka, 73 mins), Kinoshita Shiori (Tanaka Mina, 87 mins)
Unused subs: Mochizuki Arisa, Doko Mayo
Scorers: Kiryu Nanase (37 mins), Nakasato Yu (48 mins)

FC Kibikokusaidaigaku Charme:
Morimoto Kiyo, Takeda Arisa, Muramatsu Mafuyu, Imanishi Azusa, Kamata Ran, Shigemasa Kai, Sugita Ami (capt), Hamamoto Marin, Nishikawa Asuka, Kanbara Misaki, Takahashi Chiho
Subs: Noma Fumika (Kanbara Misaki, HT), Adachi Eriko (Hamamoto Marin, 79 mins), Yoshitake Manami (Shigemasa Kai, 81 mins)
Unused subs: Isashi Kaede, Nakai Yuna


INAC Kobe Leonessa  2 - 1  JEF United Ichihara Chiba Ladies
(Attendance: 4,012)

INAC Kobe began their defence of the title with a 2-1 win over JEF United who gave them a scare in the Empress' Cup final, the most recent competitive game these sides had played. Two penalties by Beverly Goebel-Yanez in either half were answered by a single late goal from Fukusawa Risa just before the end. The teams below INAC Kobe are catching up, but not enough yet to challenge them.

INAC Kobe Leonessa:
Kaihori Ayumi, Watanabe Ayaka, Tanaka Asuna, Kai Junko, Nakajima Emi, Sawa Homare, Minamiyama Chiaki, Ji So Yun, Takase Megumi, Beverly Goebel-Yanez, Kawasumi Nahomi (capt)
Subs: Isokane Midori (Kai Junko, HT), Michigami Ayaka (Beverly Goebel-Yanez, 80 mins), Nakada Ayu (Takase Megumi, 88 mins)
Unused subs: Takenaka Rei, Tanaka Yoko
Scorers: Beverly Goebel-Yanez (21 mins (pen), 57 mins (pen) )
Booked: Ji So Yun

JEF United Ichihara Chiba Ladies:
Funada Mayu, Ueno Saki, Sakuramoto Naoko (capt), Takahashi Sachie, Hosokawa Motoyo, Chino Shoko, Ikadai Risa, Kitagawa Saki, Kawamura Yuri, Fukasawa Risa, Ogawa Shiho
Subs: Anzai Yuka (Kitagawa Saki, 71 mins), Kamogawa Miho (Ogawa Shiho, 78 mins)
Unused subs: Yamane Erina, Yamamoto Naomi, Koike Kokoro
Scorers: Fukasawa Risa (89 mins)
Booked: Sakuramoto Naoko, Kawamura Yuri


Okayama Yunogo Belle  0 - 1  Vegalta Sendai Ladies
(Attendance: 2,888)

Last year's Challenge League champions got their campaign off to the best possible start with a win in Mimasaka over Belle who will be most disappointed with their start. Newcomers on either side were Fushiki Kaho for Belle and Takara Ryoka for Sendai. The only goal of the game came midway through the first half when Amano found Sameshima on the left, who then found Ito on the left wing. Her ball into the box across the face of goal was dummied by Ono and Kakazu was there to sidefoot home past Fukumoto. Belle attacked vigourously, with the lively Matsuoka Miki coming close with two headers.

Vegalta Sendai travel to Okayama again next weekend to play FC Kibikokusaidaigaku Charme, whom they beat in Takahashi 3-0 last season, while Belle go to Iga where they won 5-0 on the opening weeknd of last season.

Okayama Yunogo Belle:
Fukumoto Miho (capt), Yasuda Kuniko, Kado Yuka, Nagamachi Yuri, Fushiki Kaho, Takahashi Haruka, Nakano Manami, Miyama Aya, Yokoyama Kumi, Arimachi Saori, Matsuoka Miki
Subs: Nakagawa Chihiro (Yokoyama Kumi, 79 mins)
Unused subs: Ikegaya Natsumi, Sakai Nozomi, Mizushima Kumi

Vegalta Sendai Ladies:
Amano Misaki, Nakamura Mami, Shimokozuru Aya (capt), Takahashi Nana, Takara Ryoko, Yasumoto Sawako, Kakazu Asuka, Uetsuji Yumi, Sameshima Aya, Ono Hitomi, Ito Minako
Subs: Koyama Kie (Ono Hitomi, 64 mins), Sakai Yuki (Nakamura Mami, 75 mins)
Unused subs: Saita Yuki, Sasaki Mayu, Inoue Ayaka
Scorers: Kakazu Asuka (22 mins)
Booked: Yasumoto Sawako


Albirex Niigata Ladies  0 - 0  Iga FC Kunoichi
(Attendance: 1,141)

Niigata introduced Musashigaoka graduate Sakaguchi Moeno into their starting lineup for the visit of Iga on the opening weekend, with the visitors beginning the season with veterans of many campaigns. The game ended scoreless with neither side looking particularly impressive, with Iga especially toothless in attack. A point for them will be welcomed as the bottom of the table may be tight come the end of the season. For Niigata to remain a top five side improvement will be needed though, with a visit from INAC Kobe next weekend a daunting proposition. Iga are at home to Belle who will be intent on nothing less than victory.

Albirex Niigata Ladies:
Ichitani Tomoko, Yamamoto Arina, Nakamura Kaede, Kitahara Kana, Obara Yuria, Saeki Aya, Sakaguchi Moeno, Saito Yuri, Kamionobe Megumi (capt), Kodama Keiko, Oishi Sayaka
Subs: Yamazaki Marumi (Kodama Keiko, HT mins), Hirai Sakina (Saeki Aya, 75 mins), Kubota Mayu (Oishi Sayaka, 84 mins)
Unused subs: Koganemaru Sachie, Takamura Chisato

Iga FC Kunoichi:
Kuno Fubuki, Miyasako Tamami, Ono Suzuka, Yamaguchi Ayako, Sato Ai, Nasu Maiko (capt), Haji Madoka, Kobayashi Makiko, Tsutsumi Saki, Noichi Aya, Sonomura Nana
Subs: Sakaguchi Sakie (Tsutsumi Saki, 68 mins), Matsunaga Yoshie (Sonomura Nana, 82 mins)
Unused subs: Sawada Norimi, Michikura Hiroko, Kiyohara Marie
Booked: Ono Suzuka

Teams Eligible for Promotion in 2013

For the 2013 season it has been decided that the following eight teams are eligible for promotion to the Nadeshiko League. The single addition is that of Ehime FC Ladies.

AC Nagano Parceiro Ladies
AS Elfen Sayama FC
Bunnys Kyoto SC
Ehime FC Ladies
Fukuoka J. Anclas
Je Vrille Kagoshima
Sfida Setagaya FC
Shizuoka Sangyo University Iwata Bonita