Challenge League Eighteenth Round

Nittaidai Football Club Ladies  0 - 2  AC Nagano Parceiro Ladies
(Attendance: 116)

With many of Nittaidai's top players not playing due to the beginning of the Kanto Universities' League, some of their younger players started in their place and Nagano, resurgent this season under Honda Midori, struck twice to move themselves onto twenty-eight points, five clear of Ehime in tenth position. Captain Tanaka Nami and top scorer Uchiyama Tomoka were the heroines for Nagano, the former heading in a Yoshida corner kick and the latter shooting in from a pass from Aoshima Miyabi. Nagano look to continue their good form against the JFA Academy on Sunday; Nittaidai are away to Bunnys a day earlier.

Nittaidai Football Club Ladies:
Yamamoto Arisa, Maeda Risa, Nakayama Ayaka, Yamaguchi Minami (capt), Fujisawa Marin, Ito Riho, Kitano Rie, Ito Yukina, Goto Ami, Ozeki Miyu, Kikuchi Kana
Subs: Uchida Misuzu (Ozeki Miyu, 55 mins)
Unused subs: Hiraide Haruka
Booked: Kitano Rie

AC Nagano Parceiro Ladies:
Matsumoto Azumi, Shinohara Shihoko, Tanaka Nami (capt), Hatano Saki, Hashiura Satsuki, Uchiyama Tomoyo, Yoshida Aoi, Takagi Nao, Uchiyama Tomoka, Hamagaki Kana, Urasaki Yuka
Subs: Komatsu Misato (Hatano Saki, 65 mins), Aoshima Miyabi (Hamagaki Kana, 72 mins)
Unused subs: Unoki Mao, Yamashita Mayumi, Nomoto Hanako
Scorers: Tanaka Nami (22 mins), Uchiyama Tomoka (85 mins)


Japan Soccer College Ladies  1 - 4  Sfida Setagaya FC
(Attendance: 86)

Mori Hitomi's goal scoring was impressive in 2012, and she has improved significantly this season, leading the scoring charts with twenty-three goals, two of which came in this important victory over the JSCL. Mori opened the scoring in the first half following a corner kick - indeed three of Setagaya's goals came from such situations, and she also scored the final goal in additional time to keep Setagaya in the hunt for automatic promotion. Tomiyama Hitomi and Tanaka Marina also scored for the visitors, with the JSCL just managing one goal, a superb, electrifying goal from Toriumi Mai, who has now reached ten for the season. Setagaya are at home to Shimizu Daihachi Pleiades next week in a game they must surely win; the JSCL are away to another side looking for promotion, Fukuoka J. Anclas.

Japan Soccer College Ladies:
Kawashima Kana, Takahashi Sakura, Kusakari Ayako (capt), Sano Saki, Kawajiri Mayu, Tadano Yuki, Sasaki Shiori, Sakaguchi Yuki, Niiho Madoka, Toriumi Mai, Nakashima Ayaka
Subs: Kato Yoshimi (Kawajiri Mayu, HT), Matsumoto Hotaru (Niiho Madoka, 76 mins)
Unused subs: Fukada Ayami, Nomura Natsumi, Sanada Kasumi
Scorers: Toriumi Mai (60 mins)

Sfida Setagaya FC:
Kawaguchi Mana, Fukuhara Nao, Tanaka Marina (capt), Usui Rie, Nagata Maya, Tanaka Mariko, Usuda Haruka, Tomiyama Hitomi, Nagasawa Yume, Shimojo Aya, Mori Hitomi
Subs: Shano Miki (Tomiyama Hitomi, 67 mins), Ono Midori (Usuda Haruka, 74 mins), Hori Yoshie (Nagata Maya, 79 mins)
Unused subs: Osaki Aimi, Okada Ayame
Scorers: Mori Hitomi (28, 90+1 mins), Tomiyama Hitomi (54 mins), Tanaka Marina (75 mins)
Booked: Usui Rie, Tomiyama Hitomi


AS Elfen Sayama FC  2 - 0  Bunnys Kyoto SC
(Attendance: 527)

Sayama did enough to see off a resilient Bunnys Kyoto side today to remain in pole position for an immediate return to the Nadeshiko League. Two of last season's star performers in the Nadeshiko League scored, Ohno Shinobu scoring in the 26th minute from a pass by Ito Kanako, who herself scored a penalty in the second half - her eighteenth of the season. Sayama are five points ahead of nearest rivals Setagaya and have a far superior goal difference. Their next match is against Ehime and they will expect another straightforward win to move them one step closer to promotion; Bunnys are at home to Nittaidai who are now focussing their energies on the Kanto Universities' League.

AS Elfen Sayama FC:
Yamago Nozomi (capt), Azami Rie, Yajima Yuki, Takahashi Yuko, Kiyohara Yuko, Ito Kanako, Hagiwara Aimi, Ohno Shinobu, Saito Yuri, Arakawa Eriko, Nara Misaki
Subs: Suzuki Kaoruko (Nara Misaki, HT), Segi Aiki (Suzuki Kaoruko, 80 mins), Muraoka Natsuki (Saito Yuri, 89 mins)
Unused subs: Kobayashi Maiko, Utsumi Yui
Scorers: Ohno Shinobu (26 mins), Ito Kanako (64 mins, pen)

Bunnys Kyoto SC:
Konno Mai, Saito Natsumi, Saito Hitomi, Nakamura Miki, Yu Ji Eun, Kameoka Natsumi, Yamada Maho, Sawada Yuka, Kushige Aoi, Toyoda Nayuha (capt), Hanazaki Rena
Subs: Akiyama Ryo (Yu Ji Eun, 64 mins), Yoshino Yuka (Hanazaki Rena, 85 mins)
Unused subs: Iwasa Megumi, Yamashita Yu, Tanihara Yukari
Booked: Yu Ji Eun


JFA Academy Fukushima  2 - 2  Cerezo Osaka Sakai Ladies
(Attendance: 60)

An entertaining game in Gotenba ended in a draw as both sides brought in some of their lesser-used players. Cerezo Osaka Sakai took the lead through Tanaka Mika, with a fine through ball from Morinaka Hina setting her up. Having had no shots in the first half, the Academy brought in four of their more regular players at half-time and came back with through goals through the ever-impressive Kojima Miku, who once again this year leads the goals-per-shots ratio for the Challenge League. Cerezo weren't to be beaten though, and found an equaliser through Morinaka with fifteen minutes remaining to earn a creditable draw. This result, coupled with those of the sides below them, has guaranteed the young side of another season in the Challenge League next year. They next take on Shizuoka at home on Saturday; the Academy are away to Nagano on Sunday.

JFA Academy Fukushima:
Inoue Nene, Ibaraki Mitsuba, Tsukamoto Natsuki, Takahira Miyu, Moriya Miyabi, Akimoto Haruka, Ikeda Mao, Mizutani Yuki, Takahashi Fuko, Kojima Miku (capt), Ueda Yuriko
Subs: Asano Natsumi (Inoue Nene, HT), Tachibana Yo (Ueda Yuriko, HT), Nakajo Yui (Akimoto Haruka, HT), Kitagawa Hikaru (Ibaraki Mitsuba, HT), Okuma Rana (Ikeda Mao, 68 mins)
Scorers: Kojima Miku (51, 59 mins)

Cerezo Osaka Sakai Ladies:
Fukunaga Erika (capt), Fujiwara Nodoka, Shima Ayana, Azuma Manami, Morinaka Hina, Hayashi Honoka, Inoue Hina, Wakisaka Reina, Maegawa Miki, Tanaka Mika, Takarada Saori
Subs: Tamazakura Kotono (Tanaka Mika, 56 mins), Matsubara Shiho (Fujiwara Nodoka, 58 mins), Nishida Meika (Wakisaka Reina, 61 mins), Nojima Sakura (Takarada Saori, 78 mins)
Unused subs: Shiba Hiyori
Scorers: Tanaka Mika (10 mins), Morinaka Hina (75 mins)


Shizuoka Sangyo University Iwata Bonita  0 - 0  Hoyo Sukarabu FC
(Attendance: 100)

A shock result which simultaneously damages any chance Shizuoka Sangyo had of a promotion playoff and gives Hoyo a boost in their battle against relegation. Shizuoka battered the Hoyo goal all throughout the match but could not find a way through and the visitors held on for their very first point in the Challenge League. The draw moves Hoyo ahead of Kagoshima and a win over the bottom side next week could see Hoyo climb over Pleiades into fourteenth position and safety - with the deciding tie on September 15th between those two sides. For Shizuoka there is only disappointment, but they have performed exceptionally well this year. Their next game is away to Cerezo Osaka Sakai Ladies and they will look to bounce back ahead of three further games they will feel capable of winning.

Shizuoka Sangyo University Iwata Bonita:
Maehara Ringo, Miyazaki Kaoru, Shimamura Kumiko, Kanefuda Anzu, Nishiyama Mei, Ogata Yurika, Oda Kanna, Kubota Mitsuki, Ishida Risa, Sayama Momoko (capt), Okuda Mika
Subs: Hirano Asami (Oda Kanna, HT), Shirai Aoi (Okuda Mika, 70 mins)
Unused subs: Takahashi Miharu, Suzuki Rina, Komagata Nana

Hoyo Sukarabu FC:
Umemura Minami, Suzu Arisa, Wada Mari, Kondo Nanami, Hashimoto Emiko, Matsumoto Mei, Kiyosue Chihiro, Sato Mitsuki, Himeno Kanako (capt), Hanabusa Misa, Kugimiya Risa
Subs: Kinoshita Yuuna (Sato Mitsuki, 88 mins), Nakano Mizuki (Hanabusa Misa, 90+1 mins)
Unused subs: Katsuo Hitomi, Kusuno Kaho


Nojima Stella Kanagawa  5 - 0  Ehime FC Ladies
(Attendance: 164)

Ehime have had a poor second season and their struggles continued in Sagamihara today as Nojima Stella Kanagawa powered past them in the second half with a five goal blitz, ahead of their showdown with Tokiwagi Gakuen in Miyagi Stadium next weekend. Nojima's high scorers this year have been Yoshimi Natsuki, Kanai Nanae and Inoue Yurie and all three were on the scoresheet. Yoshimi scored twice to bring her season's total to a remarkable nineteen, with Kanai and Inoue both scoring once to bring their totals to thirteen. Substitute Saito Haruna added the fifth in additional time. Nojima remain third and although nine points behind Tokiwagi and unlikely to win the league, they will be hoping to finish as high as possible in advance of next season's promotion attempt. Ehime next play Sayama and will hope to shore up their defence as a first priority.

Nojima Stella Kanagawa:
Nanjo Masayo, Terada Reiko, Yoshida Ayaka, Sakamoto Juri, Goto Maika, Yamane Hikari, Oyama Saki (capt), Kinjo Airi, Yoshimi Natsuki, Inoue Yurie, Kanai Nanae
Subs: Kawarazaki Nozomi (Yamane Hikari, 66 mins), Nagasawa Madoka (Goto Maika, 72 mins), Saito Haruna (Kanai Nanae, 72 mins), Kataoka Saki (Inoue Yurie, 87 mins), Nishimura Atsumi (Terada Reiko, 87 mins)
Scorers: Kanai Nanae (46 mins), Yoshimi Natsuki (55, 89 mins), Inoue Yurie (72 mins), Saito Haruna (90+2 mins)

Ehime FC Ladies:
Ueno Yukiko, Kushiyama Saki, Onoyama Nana, Mukaidani Ayaka, Nishimura Nozomi, Iwamoto Yuka, Yamashiro Miyuki, Nishigawa Sayumi (capt), Ogawa Manami, Akune Mana, Kuzuma Riyo
Subs: Kawamura Akari (Iwamoto Yuka, 66 mins), Nakada Maiko (Kuzuma Riyo, 66 mins), Niwa Mizuho (Nishigawa Sayumi, 90 mins)
Unused subs: Arakawa Tomoe, Yamada Maya


Je Vrille Kagoshima  0 - 5  Fukuoka J. Anclas
(Attendance: 176)

Fukuoka J. Anclas kept up the pressure on Sfida Setagaya with a very easy win over Kyushu rivals Je Vrille Kagoshima. The first goal was scored within a minute by Shibuya Yumiko, although it wasn't until the 58th minute that the away side had their second goal, top scorer Tagashira Yoko heading in a Shibya cross. With Kagoshima only managing one shot in the entire match, Fukuoka were never in any danger and three more goals followed in the final half-hour. Doshita Misato scored twice, the second direct from a corner kick, with substitute Nomura Haruka scoring the other, her first for the club. They now face the JSCL at home needing to win to retain hopes of a promotion playoff, while Kagoshima are looking more and more like they will be relegated. They now sit bottom of the table with an appalling goal difference, and their next game against Hoyo Sukarabu is a must-win. Even if they do win, they are still likely to finish in the bottom two.

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

Fukuoka J. Anclas:
Jung Seul Won, Iimura Ami, Hanada Aiko (capt), Ito Chisa, Kurahara Honami, Doshita Misato, Ukita Kotone, Hirata Hikari, Fujimoto Yuki, Shibuya Yumiko, Tagashira Yoko
Subs: Nomura Haruka (Ukita Kotone, 80 mins), Lee Hae Mi (Fujimoto Yuki, 83 mins), Yoshizawa Ai (Shibuya Yumiko, 83 mins)
Unused subs: Shimada Megumi
Scorers: Shibuya Yumiko (1 min), Tagashira Yoko (58 mins), Doshita Misato (62, 87 mins), Nomura Haruka (82 mins)


Shimizu Daihachi Pleiades  0 - 5  Tokiwagi Gakuen High School
(Attendance: 114)

Tokiwagi Gakuen ran out easy winners against Shimizu Daihachi Pleiades, though they had to wait until the 37th minute before taking the lead, Hirata Miki scoring her first of the season from the spot. Two minutes later Sugihara Haruna kept up her good run with her sixth goal in as many games, following up after Hirata had hit the crossbar. Three goals in fifteen minutes in the second half settled the game and Tokiwagi Gakuen retained their four point gap at the top with four games remaining. The scorers were defender Kakinoka Runa, also scoring her first of the season, with another two for substitute Mitsuhashi Asuka. Pleiades had little going forward but still may survive the season, with the critical game being that against Hoyo on September 15th. They next play Setagaya and are unlikely to win. Tokiwagi are at home to Nojima Stella Kanagawa, by far the best of the promoted teams, and it will be a much tougher proposition.

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

Tokiwagi Gakuen High School:
Fukumura Kanae, Kawasaki Saya, Kakinoki Runa, Hirata Miki, Okakura Mika (capt), Matsukubo Akari, Nishikawa Ayaka, Shiraki Akari, Ito Miki, Hirakuni Mizuki, Sugihara Haruna
Subs: Mitsuhashi Asuka (Sugihara Haruna, 60 mins), Mitamura Momoko (Nishikawa Ayaka, 68 mins), Watanabe Mayu (Hirakuni Mizuki, 77 mins), Yagami Yuriya (Hirata Miki, 83 mins), Kadowaki Shihomi (Ito Miki, 83 mins)
Scorers: Hirata Miki (37 mins, pen), Sugihara Haruna (39 mins), Kakinoki Runa (54 mins), Mitsuhashi Asuka (61, 69 mins)