Challenge League Thirteenth Round

Nittaidai Football Club Ladies  3 - 2  Nojima Stella Kanagawa
(Attendance: 147)

In fine summer sunshine Nittaidai exacted revenge on their Yokohama neighbours, and did so without Uemura, Shimada and Goto who are all away on international duty. In the first half the Nojima defence had no answer to the slick passing and speedy running of the Nittaidai midfield and forwards, especially Oguri, Ishii and Uchida. Nojima had started quite well and had put considerable pressure on the Nittaidai defence, though the home side held firm and remained organised. The opening goal was a defensive calamity involving Kobayashi and her defenders in front, with Ishii Chiharu picking up a loose ball and side-footing into an empty net. Two more goals were scored by Nittaidai in the first half, and in both cases the Nojima defence was very poor. Ishii gave the final ball on both occasions, using her speed to get past the Nojima defence to cross in front of goal, to Oguri in the first instance and Fuse in the second.

Nojima made two changes at half time, with immediate effect. Inoue came in for her first appearance in four games and scored within five minutes. For once Sakurai was beaten for pace and Nojima's other half-time substitute Nagasawa crossed the ball invitingly in front of goal for Inoue to prod home. The visiting fans were finally given something to shout about but with Nittaidai still strong in defence they held on until late in the game when Nojima's top scorer Yoshimi headed in from almost directly in front of goal, Hiraide having not quite managed to claw the ball over the bar. There was some late drama again involving Hiraide when she inexplicably picked up the ball having already dropped it, but she was saved by resolute defending aginst the resulting indirect free kick.

Just as last year, Nittaidai have steadily improved over the course of the season and look forward to travelling to meet Sayama. If Nojima are to be promotion contenders next season as they have suggested, they'll need to work on their defensive organisation. Next week they face Kagoshima, who are unlikely to present any problems whatsoever.

Yamamoto, Oguri and Uchida came into the Nittaidai side today

Kobayashi Shiori returned to the starting lineup for Nojima Stella Kanagawa

Nittaidai's Oki Shiho (#13) and Abe Rie (#3) defended well against Saito Haruna (#17) and Kawarazaki Nozomi (#13), both of whom were replaced at half-time

Hiraide Haruka made her sixth consecutive starting appearance in goal

Oguri Mao stretches to score Nittaidai's second

Ishii Chiharu was again too much for the Nojima defence and she found
first year student Fuse Kanako at the far post for Nittaidai's third

Yoshimi Natsuki had a number of shots on goal from free kicks;
in this instance her shot was weak and was no trouble for Hiraide

Finally Nojima found some space down the left, and following this flick on from Nagasawa...

...Inoue Yurie had little to do to score to bring renewed hope to the visitors

Hiraide cannot quite get enough on the ball to tip it over, and having crashed against the bar...

...Yoshimi scored with three minutes remaining to set up a tremendous finish

Nittaidai bravely defended their goal right at the death

Fujisawa Marin, Yamana Maki and Hiraide Haruka

Oguri Mao, Fuse Kanako and Ito Yukina

Nittaidai Football Club Ladies:
Hiraide Haruka, Oki Shiho, Abe Rie, Yamamoto Hirona, Sakurai Mayuka, Fuse Kanako, Nagashima Hikari, Ito Yukina, Oguri Mao (capt), Ishii Chiharu, Uchida Misuzu
Subs: Yamana Maki (Ito Yukina, 83 mins), Fujisawa Marin (Uchida Misuzu, 88 mins)
Unused subs: Yamamoto Arisa, Nakayama Ayaka
Scorers: Ishii Chiharu (22 mins), Oguri Mao (33 mins), Fuse Kanako (38 mins)
Booked: Yamamoto Hirona, Oguri Mao

Nojima Stella Kanagawa:
Kobayashi Shiori, Terada Reiko, Yoshida Ayaka, Sakamoto Juri (capt), Goto Maika, Yoshimi Natsuki, Yamane Hikari, Kinjo Airi, Saito Haruna, Kawarazaki Nozomi, Kanai Nanae
Subs: Nagasawa Madoka (Kawarazaki Nozomi, HT), Inoue Yurie (Saito Haruna, HT), Kataoka Saki (Yamane Hikari, 86 mins)
Unused subs: Nanjo Masayo, Nishimura Atsumi
Scorers: Inoue Yurie (50 mins), Yoshimi Natsuki (87 mins)


JFA Academy Fukushima  1 -  1 AS Elfen Sayama FC
(Attendance: 181)

Having moved to the top of the table for the first time last week following Setagaya's stumble against Tokiwagi Gakuen, Sayama today gave the advantage back to the Tokyo side when they failed to beat a strong JFA Academy side in Gotenba today. For the home side all of the big names came back in, including Miyake, Norimatsu, Kojima and Okuma. Yonei Honoka also made her first start. After a scoreless first half Sayama must have felt they would go on to win following a 73rd minute goal by Sugiyama Takako, her second goal in consecutive appearances. The Academy has been strong recently though, and captain Kojima Miku combined with Norimatsu to equalise with just under ten minutes remaining. Sayama are at home to Nittaidai, against whom they drew in their first meeting. The Academy will expect to win against nearby Pleiades.

JFA Academy Fukushima:
Inoue Nene, Moriya Miyabi, Miyake Shiori, Hashinuma Maho, Kitagawa Hikaru, Yonei Honoka, Mizutani Yuki, Norimatsu Ruka, Takahira Miyu, Kojima Miku (capt), Okuma Rana
Subs: Tsukamoto Natsuki (Yonei Honoka, 78 mins)
Unused subs: Asano Natsumi, Takahashi Fuko, Iseri Natsuki, Chiba Nanami
Scorers: Kojima Miku (81 mins)

AS Elfen Sayama FC:
Yamago Nozomi (capt), Azami Rie, Takahashi Yuko, Kiyohara Yuko, Utsumi Yui, Ito Kanako, Kobayashi Natsumi, Hagiwara Aimi, Nara Misaki, Arakawa Eriko, Saito Yuri
Subs: Segi Aiki (Nara Misaki, 38 mins), Sugiyama Takako (Saito Yuri, 66 mins), Suzuki Kaoruko (Utsumi Yui, 86 mins)
Unused subs: Kobayashi Maiko, Kumagai Sayaka
Scorers: Sugiyama Takako (73 mins)


Je Vrille Kagoshima  0 - 2  Japan Soccer College Ladies
(Attendance: 256)

Since last season the JSCL have made great progress to become a mid-table side; Kagoshima have gone in the opposite direction and were once again beaten at home. Nittaidai graduate and this year's captain Kusakari Ayako scored in first half additional time and in the 58th minute last year's captain Toriumi Mai scored the second to wrap up the game for the visitors who are now just three points away from doubling their total from last season. Kagoshima's hopes of surviving look more forlorn with each passing match.

Je Vrille Kagoshima:
Nakagawa Yoshimi, Hirata Misato, Mok Sun Jung, Yamada Kaori, Murai Kaori, Imanaka Yuri, Sakamoto Ayaka, Mitsudome Kanami, Fukuishi Konan, Sannomiya Shiki (capt), Oh Yu Sun
Subs: Saito Toshiko (Fukuishi Konan, HT), Konishi Momoka (Mitsudome Kanami, 77 mins)
Unused subs: Kim So Young, Sakamoto Kanna
Booked: Mok Sun Jung, Imanaka Yuri

Japan Soccer College Ladies:
Kawashima Kana, Sano Saki, Takahashi Sakura, Kusakari Ayako (capt), Sakaguchi Yuki, Mori Misato, Tadano Yuki, Sasaki Shiori, Niiho Madoka, Toriumi Mai, Nomura Natsumi
Subs: Iwasaki Manami (Mori Misato, 63 mins), Kato Yoshimi (Tadano Yuki, 75 mins), Sanada Kasumi (Nomura Natsumi, 84 mins), Nakashima Ayaka (Niiho Madoka, 87 mins)
Unused subs: Fukada Ayami
Scorers: Kusakari Ayako (45+2 mins), Toriumi Mai (58 mins)
Booked: Takahashi Sakura


Tokiwagi Gakuen High School  3 - 0  Fukuoka J. Anclas
(Attendance: 100)

Still smarting from their 3-0 loss in Fukuoka earlier this season - their only loss thus far - Tokiwagi Gakuen were determined to overcome their illustrious visitors and continue their march to the top of the table. Sasaki Miwa has been extremely impressive this season and scored her eleventh goal in as many games to give the schoolgirls the lead which they never looked like relinquishing. Mitamura Momoko scored twice in the first half to add to her goal from last week and although Fukuoka came back more strongly in the second half, the home side always had too much for them. With this run of poor form Fukuoka look unlikely to be in with a chance of promotion, while Tokiwagi look more and more likely to be champions again.

Tokiwagi Gakuen High School:
Fukumura Kanae, Kawasaki Saya, Kakinoki Runa, Hirata Miki, Okakura Mika (capt), Nishikawa Ayaka, Matsukubo Akari, Ito Miki, Mitamura Momoko, Sasaki Miwa, Shiraki Akari
Subs: Sugihara Haruna (Mitamura Momoko, 61 mins), Hirakuni Mizuki (Shiraki Akari, 82 mins), Komori Aoi (Ito Miki, 86 mins), Mitsuhashi Asuka (Sasaki Miwa, 87 mins)
Unused subs: Yagami Yuriya
Scorers: Sasaki Miwa (10 mins), Mitamura Momoko (22, 41 mins)

Fukuoka J. Anclas:
Shimada Megumi, Iimura Ami, Hanada Aiko (capt), Yanagita Shiori, Kurahara Honami, Doshita Misato, Ukita Kotone, Kim Kyoung Sin, Yoshizawa Ai, Shibuya Yumiko, Fujimoto Yuki
Subs: Hirata Hikari (Kim Kyoung Sin, HT), Ito Chisa (Yoshizawa Ai, 70 mins)
Unused subs: Jung Seul Won, Lee Hae Mi, Tagashira Yoko


Ehime FC Ladies  5 - 3  Cerezo Osaka Sakai Ladies
(Attendance: 300)

A fine crowd turned out to watch Ehime take on Cerezo Osaka Sakai with the home side determined to avoid the upset defeat suffered in these sides' first meeting. By half-time Ehime were three goals to the good, with top scorer Akune Mana netting the first two, and Onoyama scoring her first for the third. Cerezo have been resilient this season and came back into the game with goals from Narisako and Takarada. In the final few minutes three more goals were scored, two for Ehime to settle it - Yamada Maya scoring on her first appearance, and Nakada Maiko scoring her fifth in another substitute appearance - before a final consolation goal for the visitors, Hayashi Honoka again scoring late just as she had done last week. Cerezo Osaka Sakai take on fellow schoolgirls Tokiwagi Gakuen next Saturday, Ehime are away to the resurgent Nagano.

Ehime FC Ladies:
Ueno Yukiko, Kushiyama Saki, Onoyama Nana, Mukaidani Ayaka, Kuzuma Riyo, Iwamoto Yuka, Yamashiro Miyuki, Nishigawa Sayumi (capt), Ogawa Manami, Nakamura Miki, Akune Mana
Subs: Sato Hiromi (Kuzuma Riyo, HT), Niwa Mizuho (Yamashiro Miyuki, HT), Ono Miyuu (Nakamura Miki, HT), Nakada Maiko (Mukaidani Ayaka, 62 mins), Yamada Maya (Niwa Mizuho, 81 mins)
Scorers: Akune Mana (27, 29 mins), Onoyama Nana (36 mins), Yamada Maya (88 mins), Nakada Maiko (90 mins)

Cerezo Osaka Sakai Ladies:
Fukunaga Erika (capt), Hashimitsu Kyoka, Toyohara Iroha, Azuma Manami, Morinaka Hina, Hayashi Honoka, Inoue Hina, Takarada Saori, Maegawa Miki, Fujiwara Nodoka, Tanaka Mika
Subs: Nojima Sakura (Fujiwara Nodoka, HT), Tamazakura Kotono (Tanaka Mika, HT), Narisako Misaki (Hashimitsu Kyoka, 55 mins), Furusawa Rui (Tamazakura Kotono, 86 mins)
Unused subs: Ishiodori Nana
Scorers: Narisako Misaki (57 mins), Takarada Saori (63 mins), Hayashi Honoka (90+2 mins)
Booked: Fujiwara Nodoka, Morinaka Hina


Bunnys Kyoto SC  0 - 2  AC Nagano Parceiro Ladies
(Attendance: 160)

Bunnys' recent form has been dreadful, and having won three games in the opening rounds, have now lost two consecutive games to two of the teams they earlier beat. Nagano have improved substantially this year, and an early Uchiyama goal from a Hashiura pass gave them enormous momentum. Just before half-time Hashiura had a goal for herself, her sixth of the season. Bunnys have had severe problems in front of goal and simply have not scored enough goals. Next week they must win against bottom side Hoyo Sukarabu to avoid further embarassment; Nagano welcome Ehime with renewed optimism.

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

AC Nagano Parceiro Ladies:
Matsumoto Azumi, Shinohara Shihoko, Tanaka Nami (capt), Komatsu Misato, Hashiura Satsuki, Uchiyama Tomoyo, Yoshida Aoi, Takagi Nao, Uchiyama Tomoka, Hamagaki Kana, Urasaki Yuka
Subs: Aoshima Miyabi (Uchiyama Tomoka, 82 mins)
Unused subs: Jessica Lynne Klauzenberg, Kukita Yuko, Yamashita Mayumi, Sato Kaede
Scorers: Uchiyama Tomoyo (7 mins), Hashiura Satsuki (44 mins)


Sfida Setagaya FC  6 - 0  Hoyo Sukarabu FC
(Attendance: 493)

As expected Setagaya had no trouble in beating Hoyo Sukarabu, even with six changes to their lineup from last week's debacle away to Tokiwagi Gakuen. Mori Hitomi moves further ahead at the top of the scoring table with another brace; Shimojo Aya also scored a brace to take her total to twelve, seven behind Mori. Oshima Sayuri and Ikeda Takami also scored in additional time to improve Setagaya's goal difference to +41, five behind Sayama who are now a point behind. Setagaya next week travel to Fukuoka in what will be a pivotal match in the race for promotion.

Sfida Setagaya FC:
Osaki Aimi, Mitsuma Mutsumi, Kawashima Tamai (capt), Okada Ayame, Usui Rie, Tomiyama Hitomi, Oda Kanako, Shimojo Aya, Nagasawa Yume, Mori Hitomi, Usuda Haruka
Subs: Ono Midori (Mitsuma Mutsumi, HT), Ikeda Takami (Usuda Haruka, 60 mins), Minemoto Chizuru (Oda Kanako, 67 mins), Oshima Sayuri (Nagasawa Yume, 69 mins)
Unused subs: Kawaguchi Mana
Scorers: Shimojo Aya (36, 60 mins), Mori Hitomi (45+2, 69 mins, pen), Oshima Sayuri (90+2 mins), Ikeda Takami (90+4 mins)

Hoyo Sukarabu FC:
Umemura Minami, Wada Mari, Kiyosue Chihiro, Kondo Nanami, Hashimoto Emiko, Matsumoto Mei, Kinoshita Yuuna, Sato Mitsuki (capt), Nagamatsu Maki, Suzu Arisa, Hanabusa Misa
Subs: Kusuno Kaho (Suzu Arisa, 75 mins), Nakano Mizuki (Wada Mari, 85 mins)
Unused subs: Katsuo Hitomi
Booked: Hanabusa Misa, Wada Mari