Nadeshiko League Seventh Round

Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies  0 - 3  INAC Kobe Leonessa
(Attendance: 6,875)

Urawa Reds hosted champions INAC Kobe desperately trying to put a halt to their losing streak, which stood at five games coming into this match. As always INAC Kobe were expected to win, and for this match they again started with Michigami up front, with Goebel-Yanez not appearing. Michigami had the first chance but headed wide from Nakajima's cross in the fifth minute as INAC looked to get the early goal. The new recruit from Tokiwagi was in a determined mood as she struck again in the ninth minute but Ikeda was equal to it.

In the 24th minute Urawa had their first shot on goal, Dozono's rasping effort was relatively comfortable for Kaihori to deal with, as the vociferous home crowd got behind their team. The home side had weathered the INAC storm to an extent but at the same time weren't looking likely to win the game, and their defence looked insecure.

The first half ended scoreless, and there wasn't too much for either side's supporters to shout about. Neither side made a change at half-time and the pattern of the first half was re-established in the second.

In the 59th minute, following some good attacking play from Urawa, a good move at the other end saw Tanaka Yoko break loose into the box and when Kishikawa fouled her the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot, with Kishikawa sent off as the last defender. Kawasumi Nahomi stepped up to score her fourth goal of the season to firmly put the champions in the driving seat.

Tanaka Yoko again found herself free in the area in the 68th minute but her ball back to Ji was blasted over. Urawa now has the obvious problem of not having the ability to go forward in numbers as they knew only too well that INAC Kobe's forwards are second to none.

Michigami, who hadn't made much of an impression after the first few minutes, was replaced in the 75th minute by Takase Megumi, playing for the first time since the first weekend. A volley from Kawasumi went just wide of the left post with twelve minutes remaining as the visitors looked to kill the game off.

Kira and Kurishima Akari came on with seven minutes to go to try to get something going up front. INAC Kobe were still looking for a second at the other end and although Urawa were getting the ball forward their shots were generally no problem for Kaihori or the INAC defenders. Following a good Urawa break, Kawasumi scored her second off a pass from Ji and with just a few seconds remaining of the ninety the result had been decided. In the dying seconds Takase threw herself at a Kawasumi cross to make it 3-0 for her first goal of the season.

INAC march on in their quest for a third straight title, Urawa Reds need to start picking up points very soon if they are not to find themselves in a wholly unexpected relegation battle.

Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies:
Ikeda Sakiko, Ishii Saki, Kishikawa Natsuki, Sakamoto Riho, Wada Naoko, Yasuda Yuki, Fujita Nozomi, Dozono Ayano, Kato Chika, Shibata Hanae, Goto Michi (capt)
Subs: Kurishima Akari (Fujita Nozomi, 84 mins), Kira Chinatsu (Kato Chika, 84 mins)
Unused subs: Tajiri Yumi, Takeuchi Nozomi, Takeyama Yuko
Sent off: Kishikawa Natsuki

INAC Kobe Leonessa:
Kaihori Ayumi, Nakajima Emi, Kai Junko, Tanaka Asuna, Watanabe Ayaka, Minamiyama Chiaki, Sawa Homare, Ji So Yun, Kawasumi Nahomi (capt), Michigami Ayaka, Tanaka Yoko
Subs: Takase Megumi (Michigami Ayaka, 75 mins)
Unused subs: Takenaka Rei, Isokane Midori, Nakada Ayu, Hirano Rina
Scorers: Kawasumi Nahomi (61 (pen), 90 mins), Takase Megumi (90+3 mins)
Booked: Watanabe Ayaka


NTV Beleza  2 - 0  JEF United Ichihara Chiba Ladies
(Attendance: 1,245)

A keenly contested match saw Beleza come away with the spoils through two late goals from their young strikers Tanaka Mina and Momiki Yuka, who have now scored seven goals between them. Having gone five games unbeaten, JEF United were unfortunate but will try to rebound in style against Iga next weekend. Beleza have the opportunity to catch INAC Kobe next weekend if they can beat them, though it will be a significant challenge.

NTV Beleza:
Soyama Kanako, Shimizu Risa, Iwashimizu Azusa (capt), Sudo Akiko, Ariyoshi Saori, Nakasato Yu, Sumida Rin, Hasegawa Yui, Kiryu Nanase, Momiki Yuka, Tanaka Mina
Subs: Sakaguchi Mizuho (Nakasato Yu, HT), Hara Natsuko (Hasegawa Yui, 63 mins), Kobayashi Miharu (Kiryu Nanase, 88 mins)
Unused subs: Mochizuki Arisa, Doko Mayo
Scorers: Tanaka Mina (81 mins), Momiki Yuka (85 mins)

JEF United Ichihara Chiba Ladies:
Yamane Erina, Ueno Saki, Sakuramoto Naoko (capt), Takahashi Sachie, Chino Shoko, Ikadai Risa, Yanai Rina, Kawamura Mari, Kawamura Yuri, Fukasawa Risa, Ogawa Shiho
Subs: Haruyama Saori (Ikadai Risa, 73 mins), Matsuura Nagisa (Yanai Rina, 84 mins), Tsurumi Ayaka (Chino Shoko, 89 mins)
Unused subs: Funada Mayu, Yamamoto Naomi
Booked: Ogawa Shiho


Okayama Yunogo Belle  1 - 0  Albirex Niigata Ladies
(Attendance: 2,726)

A 25th minute goal from the penalty spot by Miyama Aya settled this contest in favour of the home side, following a handball in the box. Belle climb the table following this, their second win, while Niigata are struggling to put together a non-losing streak of any kind. Belle next travel the short distance to Kasaoka for the highly-anticipated Okayama derby, while Niigata will feel confident at home against Takatsuki.

Okayama Yunogo Belle:
Fukumoto Miho (capt), Yasuda Kuniko, Kado Yuka, Miyazaki Yuka, Mizushima Kumi, Takahashi Haruka, Nakano Manami, Miyama Aya, Yokoyama Kumi, Arimachi Saori, Matsuoka Miki
Subs: Tsuhako Yumiko (Mizushima Kumi, 65 mins), Fushiki Kaho (Yokoyama Kumi, 88 mins)
Unused subs: Ikegaya Natsumi, Sakai Nozomi, Yamaguchi Mami
Scorers: Miyama Aya (25 mins, pen)

Albirex Niigata Ladies:
Ichitani Tomoko, Hirai Sakina, Nakamura Kaede, Kitahara Kana, Obara Yuria, Saeki Aya, Saito Yuri, Sakaguchi Moeno, Kamionobe Megumi (capt), Yamazaki Marumi, Oishi Sayaka
Subs: Kodama Keiko (Sakaguchi Moeno, 59 mins), Yamamoto Arina (Oishi Sayaka, 71 mins), Takamura Chisato (Saeki Aya, 79 mins)
Unused subs: Koganemaru Sachie, Shimokawa Saori


Iga FC Kunoichi  4 - 0  FC Kibikokusaidaigaku Charme
(Attendance: 1,013)

FC Kibikoku suffered the worst defeat in their league history as they fell to a four goal defeat. Iga followed up their win over Beleza last week with a fine display of attacking play. The speedy Sonomura Nana scored her second of the season in the 37th minute and with two goals by Tsutsumi just before and after half-time they were well set for the three points. A late goal from substitute Sakumoto Fumika put added gloss on the final scoreline.

Iga FC Kunoichi:
Sawada Norimi, Miyasako Tamami, Ono Suzuka, Sato Ai, Kiyohara Marie, Nasu Maiko (capt), Matsunaga Tomoe, Kobayashi Makiko, Tsutsumi Saki, Noichi Aya, Sonomura Nana
Subs: Sakumoto Fumika (Kobayashi Makiko, 60 mins), Nakade Hikari (Sonomura Nana, 69 mins)
Unused subs: Michikura Hiroko, Haji Madoka, Matsunaga Yoshie
Scorers: Sonomura Nana (37 mins), Tsutsumi Saki (43, 48 mins), Sakumoto Fumika (84 mins)

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: Kanbara Misaki (Noma Fumika, HT), Adachi Eriko (Hamamoto Marin, 66 mins), Yoshitake Manami (Nishikawa Asuka, 78 mins)
Unused subs: Yamamoto Ayaka, Tanaka Shiho
Booked: Shigemasa Kai


Speranza FC Osaka Takatsuki  0 - 1  Vegalta Sendai Ladies
(Attendance: 1,867)

A diving header by Ono Hitomi just on the stroke of half-time was enough for Vegalta Sendai to take home all three points as they stayed in touch with second-placed Beleza whom they play in two weeks. Takatsuki attacked with no lack of purpose but didn't quite have the quality to break down the Sendai defence. They next travel to Niigata still in search of their first win.

Speranza FC Osaka Takatsuki:
Ono Maya, Tsuboi Ayako, Okuda Akiko (capt), Hatanaka Miyuka, Matsuda Nozomi, Torao Naomi, Honda Saki, Hirano Satoko, Sato Kaede, Hazuki Yuki, Maruyama Karina
Subs: Asano Miki (Hirano Satoko, 80 mins), Shimamura Yuko (Hazuki Yuki, 85 mins), Ikeda Asumi (Honda Saki, 90 mins)
Unused subs: Suzuki Risa, Kinoshita Ai

Vegalta Sendai Ladies:
Amano Misaki, Sakai Yuki, Shimokozuru Aya (capt), Osafune Kana, Sasaki Mayu, Inoue Ayaka, Takara Ryoko, Uetsuji Yumi, Kakazu Asuka, Yasumoto Sawako, Ono Hitomi
Subs: Takahashi Nana (Inoue Ayaka, 66 mins), Kawashima Haruna (Ono Hitomi, 89 mins)
Unused subs: Saita Yuki, Yamamoto Risa, Narumiya Yui
Scorers: Ono Hitomi (45 mins)
Booked: Sakai Yuki