Challenge League First Round

AS Elfen Sayama FC  1 - 2  Nojima Stella Kanagawa
(Attendance: 843)

Yoshimi Natsuki was the Nojima heroine as the newcomers dealt the division favourites an early blow in their quest for promotion back to the Nadeshiko League. In just the second minute Yoshimi knocked in a corner kick and with the Sayama defence failing to clear properly, she was given another chance and when her shot came back off the bar Terada Reiko was on hand to head home for the visitors' first goal in league football.

Yoshimi herself scored in the 62nd minute with an astonishing goal direct from a free kick and although former Beleza forward Ito Kanako pulled a goal back just two minutes later the Nojima players held on to celebrate an acclaimed opening day win.

AS Elfen Sayama FC:
Yamago Nozomi (capt), Azami Rie, Hagiwara Aimi, Utsumi Yui, Muraoka Natsuki, Segi Aiki, Ito Kanako, Uchida Saki, Sugiyama Takako, Arakawa Eriko, Nara Misaki
Subs: Akitaya Misato (Sugiyama Takako, 31 mins), Saito Yuri (Muraoka Natsuki, HT), Kawai Nayo (Segi Aiki, 86 mins)
Unused subs: Kobayashi Maiko, Kiyohara Yuko
Scorers: Ito Kanako (64 mins)

Nojima Stella Kanagawa:
Kobayashi Shiori, Terada Reiko, Yoshida Ayaka, Sakamoto Juri (capt), Goto Maika, Yamane Hikari, Yoshimi Natsuki, Kinjo Airi, Inoue Yurie, Kawarazaki Nozomi, Kanai Nanae
Subs: Kataoka Saki (Yamane Hikari, 67 mins), Nishimura Atsumi (Kawarazaki Nozomi, 87 mins), Saito Haruna (Kinjo Airi, 90 mins)
Scorers: Terada Reiko (2 mins), Yoshimi Natsuki (62 mins)


JFA Academy Fukushima  1 - 1  Japan Soccer College Ladies
(Attendance: 102)

Last season's most impressive player for the JSCL was Toriumi Mai, and she again showed her value in equalising for her side to gain them a splendid opening day point. Tachibana Yo had given the Academy the lead on 16 minutes but their intensity fell off in the second half and both sides in the end will probably be satisfied with a point, especially the visitors.

JFA Academy Fukushima:
Inoue Nene, Moriya Miyabi, Hashinuma Maho, Miyake Shiori, Kitagawa Hikaru, Nakajo Yui, Norimatsu Ruka, Mizutani Yuki, Tachibana Yo, Kojima Miku (capt), Okuma Rana
Subs: Hirata Mai (Nakajo Yui, 63 mins), Tsukamoto Natsuki (Okuma Rana, 75 mins)
Unused subs: Asano Natsumi, Akimoto Haruka, Ikeda Mao
Scorers: Tachibana Yo (16 mins)
Booked: Hashinuma Maho

Japan Soccer College Ladies:
Fukada Ayami, Kato Yoshimi, Kusakari Ayako, Takahashi Sakura, Sakaguchi Yuki, Nomura Natsumi, Mori Misato, Sasaki Shiori, Yoneda Saki, Toriumi Mai, Nakashima Ayaka
Subs: Iwasaki Manami (Yoneda Saki, 36 mins), Kato Shiori (Nomura Natsumi, 63 mins), Tadano Yuki (Mori Misato, 65 mins)
Unused subs: Kawashima Kana, Sanada Kasumi
Scorers: Toriumi Mai (86 mins)


Shizuoka Sangyo University Iwata Bonita  3 - 0  Je Vrille Kagoshima
(Attendance: 207)

Shizuoka Sangyo saw off the feeble challenge of Je Vrille Kagoshima, though it took some time for them to get up and running. Nishiyama Mei was impressive last year and scored the opener today, with further goals from Ishida and schoolgirl Shirai Aoi in the final few minutes putting gloss on the scoreline. Kagoshima have a lot of work to do if they are to be competitive this season.

Shizuoka Sangyo University Iwata Bonita:
Terada Ikumi, Kanefuda Anzu, Sayama Momoko (capt), Takahata Airi, Nishiyama Mei, Shimamura Kumiko, Kubota Mitsuki, Ishida Risa, Kanno Mie, Hirano Asami, Oda Kanna
Subs: Shirai Aoi (Oda Kanna, 73 mins)
Unused subs: Takahashi Miharu, Iida Miku, Ogata Yurika, Okuda Mika
Scorers: Nishiyama Mei (56 mins), Ishida Risa (83 mins), Shirai Aoi (89 mins)

Je Vrille Kagoshima:
Nakagawa Yoshimi, Hirata Misato, Yamada Kaori, Oh Yu Sun, Sakamoto Ayaka, Mok Sun Jung, Imanaka Yuri, Murai Kaori, Fukuishi Konan, Mitsudome Kanami, Sannomiya Shiki (capt)
Unused subs: Konishi Momoka, Saito Toshiko


Nittaidai Football Club Ladies  2 - 1  Shimizu Daihachi Pleiades
(Attendance: 83)

Nittaidai just about saw off Pleiades at home today, with goals from Nagashima and Yamaguchi, who was impressive in her few games last season. Pleiades had gotten off to a good start with an early goal from midfielder Hamanaka Saki but had very few chances thereafter and the students came back strongly to begin their campaign well.

Nittaidai Football Club Ladies:
Yamamoto Arisa, Sakurai Mayuka, Abe Rie, Nagashima Hikari, Fujisawa Marin, Goto Ami, Ito Yukina, Fuse Kanako, Ishii Chiharu, Oguri Mao (capt), Uchida Misuzu
Subs: Yamamoto Hirona (Abe Rie, 49 mins), Yamaguchi Minami (Fujisawa Marin, 77 mins), Ozeki Miyu (Ito Yukina, 85 mins)
Unused subs: Hiraide Haruka, Yamana Maki
Scorers: Nagashima Hikari (47 mins), Yamaguchi Minami (79 mins)

Shimizu Daihachi Pleiades:
Sato Masami, Suwabe Wakana, Taniguchi Emi, Kawachi Erika, Oda Sayaka, Miyagawa Tomoko, Kanashiro Wakana (capt), Matsushita Norimi, Miura Kyoko, Kawasumi Saki, Hamanaka Saki
Subs: Kobayashi Natsumi (Kawasumi Saki, 62 mins)
Unused subs: Yoshimura Rina, Inoue Yurie, Hirukawa Mio, Maruyama Kimi
Scorers: Hamanaka Saki (13 mins)


Tokiwagi Gakuen High School  3 - 2  AC Nagano Parceiro Ladies
(Attendance: 70)

In dreadful weather conditions Tokiwagi Gakuen overcame the improved Nagano but needed an injury time penalty kick to pull off the win. Ito Miki scored the first goal of the day on 23 minutes and fourteen minutes later local girl Sasaki Miwa made it 2-0 to the home side. The visitors fought back valiantly and Hashiura and Uchiyama, scorers of eight goals between them last season, brought Nagano level just a minute before the finish. They looked to have done enough to take home a point but new goalkeeper Unoki Mao fouled a Tokiwagi player and from the spot Shiraki Akari made no mistake. The schoolgirls are off to another good start while Nagano will have been bitterly disappointed not to at least get a draw.

Tokiwagi Gakuen High School:
Fukumura Kanae (capt), Sugihara Haruna, Kakinoki Runa, Hirata Miki, Watanabe Mayu, Kobayashi Rikako, Hirakuni Mizuki, Nishikawa Ayaka, Ito Miki, Sasaki Miwa, Shiraki Akari
Subs: Mitsuhashi Asuka (Kobayashi Rikako, 71 mins), Yagami Yuriya (Watanabe Mayu, 74 mins)
Unused subs: Kawasaki Saya, Matsukubo Akari, Komori Aoi
Scorers: Ito Miki (23 mins), Sasaki Miwa (37 mins), Shiraki Akari (90+2 mins, pen)

AC Nagano Parceiro Ladies:
Unoki Mao, Hatano Saki, Tanaka Nami (capt), Komatsu Misato, Yoshida Aoi, Uchiyama Tomoyo, Takagi Nao, Aoshima Miyabi, Urasaki Yuka, Hamagaki Kana, Uchiyama Tomoka
Subs: Hashiura Satsuki (Urasaki Yuka, 55 mins), Kukita Yuko (Komatsu Misato, 72 mins)
Unused subs: Himono Chiho, Yamashita Mayumi, Sato Kaede
Scorers: Hashiura Satsuki (72 mins), Uchiyama Tomoka (89 mins)
Booked: Unoki Mao


Sfida Setagaya FC  8 - 2  Cerezo Osaka Sakai Ladies
(Attendance: 1,682)

The young schoolgirls of Cerezo Osaka Sakai Ladies started well in their first league game, with Takarada Saori scoring on 11 minutes, but they were unable to stop Setagaya from ultimately tearing them apart. Tanaka Marina equalised, heading in a corner, before new signing Shimojo scored to give them the lead. Mori Hitomi scored three, JSC graduate Shano scored a brace having come on after an hour and Oshima Sayuri got on the scoresheet with a late left-footed drive. Cerezo's only response came from Narisako Misaki who scored direct from a free kick.

Setagaya look strong this season and are pushing for promotion - and had an excellent attendance, while Cerezo will surely get better over the course of the year.

Sfida Setagaya FC:
Kawaguchi Mana, Nagasawa Yume, Kawashima Tamai, Okada Ayame, Nagata Maya, Tanaka Mariko, Minemoto Chizuru, Mori Hitomi, Hori Yoshie, Tanaka Marina (capt), Shimojo Aya
Subs: Fukuhara Nao (Nagata Maya, 49 mins), Oshima Sayuri (Minemoto Chizuru, 56 mins), Shano Miki (Hori Yoshie, 60 mins), Tomiyama Hitomi (Okada Ayame, 80 mins)
Unused subs: Osaki Aimi
Scorers: Tanaka Marina (20 mins), Shimojo Aya (29 mins), Mori Hitomi (41, 74, 90 mins), Shano Miki (83, 90+2 mins), Oshima Sayuri (87 mins)

Cerezo Osaka Ladies:
Fukunaga Erika, Hashimitsu Kyoka, Narisako Misaki, Katsuoka Miyu, Takahashi China, Nishida Meika (capt), Hayashi Honoka, Fujiwara Nodoka, Tanaka Mika, Matsubara Shiho, Takarada Saori
Subs: Nojima Sakura (Fujiwara Nodoka, 55 mins), Toyohara Iroha (Hayashi Honoka, 65 mins), Wakisaka Reina (Tanaka Mika, 71 mins), Morinaka Hina (Takarada Saori, 85 mins), Shiba Hiyori (Fukunaga Erika, 88 mins)
Scorers: Takarada Saori (11 mins), Narisako Misaki (63 mins)


Ehime FC Ladies  4 - 0  Bunnys Kyoto SC
(Attendance: 620)

In a repeat of last year's scoreline, Ehime were too much for Bunnys and although the visitors have made several notable signings they were once again unable to stop the goals flying in. Akune Mana opened the scoring before Iwamoto Yuka scored twice - equaling her total from 21 games last season. Star player Nakada Maiko came on just after the hour and proceeded to score the final goal just before the end with a diving header. Ehime look good for a top half finish, Bunnys must work harder.

Ehime FC Ladies:
Osako Hanako, Kushiyama Saki, Onoyama Nana, Hagiwara Masumi, Nishimura Nozomi, Ogawa Manami, Iwamoto Yuka, Nishigawa Sayumi (capt), Akune Mana, Kuzuma Riyo, Marugata Rie
Subs: Horie Tomoko (Hagiwara Masumi, 36 mins), Nakamura Miki (Akune Mana, 87 mins), Nakada Maiko (Kuzuma Riyo, 61 mins), Niwa Mizuho (Marugata Rie, 81 mins)
Unused subs: Ueno Yukiko
Scorers: Akune Mana (21 mins), Iwamoto Yuka (57, 82 mins), Nakada Maiko (88 mins)

Bunnys Kyoto SC:
Konno Mai, Akiyama Ryo, Saito Natsumi, Nakamura Miki, Saito Hitomi, Sawada Yuka, Kameoka Natsumi, Toyoda Nayuha (capt), Hanazaki Rena, Tanihara Yukari, Yoshino Yuka
Subs: Kushige Aoi (Toyoda Nayuha, 39 mins), Okawa Masami (Yoshino Yuka, 74 mins)
Unused subs: Iwasa Megumi, Yamaguchi Yurie, Yamashita Yu


Fukuoka J. Anclas  5 - 1  Hoyo Sukarabu FC
(Attendance: 620)

Visiting Hoyo Sukarabu were no match for Anclas, for whom Kawamura Mari scored the opening goal. Hanada, Hirata (2) and Shibuya also scored for the home side with Suzu Arisa scoring Hoyo's sole reply. It was announced after the game that Kawamura would be joining JEF United Ichihara Chiba Ladies and the loss of such a talented player will be a blow to Anclas as they will surely face stronger opposition. Hoyo will have enjoyed the experience of their first league game, though it looks like it will be a significant challenge for them to remain in the league at the end of the season.

Fukuoka J. Anclas:
Shimada Megumi, Iimura Ami, Hanada Aiko (capt), Yanagita Shiori, Ukita Kotone, Hirata Hikari, Doshita Misato, Kawamura Mari, Fujimoto Yuki, Shibuya Yumiko, Kim Kyoung Sin
Subs: Kurahara Honami (Fujimoto Yuki, 65 mins), Ito Chisa (Ukita Kotone, 90+1 mins)
Unused subs: Jung Seul Won, Lee Hae Mi, Tagashira Yoko
Scorers: Kawamura Mari (15 mins), Hanada Aiko (48 mins), Hirata Hikari (51, 89 mins), Shibuya Yumiko (88 mins)

Hoyo Sukarabu FC:
Umemura Minami, Hashimoto Emiko, Wada Mari (capt), Kondo Nanami, Kugimiya Risa, Kinoshita Yuuna, Kiyosue Chihiro, Matsumoto Mei, Sato Mitsuki, Hanabusa Misa, Suzu Arisa
Unused subs: Katsuo Hitomi, Kodama Ririka, Nagamatsu Maki, Kusuno Kaho, Nakano Mizuki
Scorers: Suzu Arisa (71 mins)