Challenge League Nineteenth Round

Tokiwagi Gakuen High School  6 - 1  Nojima Stella Kanagawa
(Attendance: 150)

Tokiwagi Gakuen High School today brushed aside the challenge of Nojima Stella Kanagawa with the swagger and confidence of a side who believe they can beat anyone. Their passing, movement and shooting were at times mesmerising, and the visitors showed almost no repsonse whatsoever. Ito Miki, diminutive but speedy and determined, once again tore apart an opposing defence down the right and as early as the ninth minute had the schoolgirls in front. Taking the ball from Ichise, she cut inside from the right and powered a shot home past Kobayashi, returned to the starting lineup following a one-match ban.

Nojima responded well, and a through pass found Kinjo and she was through on goal when Fukumura came rushing out of goal and tackled her to give away a free kick, but there was no card shown. Nojima's outstanding Yoshimi Natsuki stepped up and scored her twentieth of the season direct from the free kick. For the next ten minutes Nojima were enthusiastic and seemed to have gotten the measure of Tokiwagi Gakuen, but the home side eventually came back strongly and four minutes before half-time were back in front. Shiraki and Ito combined well and Ito's pass back to Nishikawa saw her lash home her ninth of the season.

In the second half Nojima barely got a touch of the ball, and indeed managed no shots at goal whatsoever, as Tokiwagi Gakuen were simply too much for them in every area of the field. Ito had her second on 57 minutes, Sugihara Haruna providing after a fine interception. Hirata Miki scored a rare goal seven minutes later to wrap things up, though there were two late goals to further emphasise Tokiwagi's domination. Shiraki knew little about her goal, a ricochet off her leg from a Kawasaki cross looping over Kobayshi into the net, and the final goal also was a scrappy goal, Kobayashi failing to deal with Kobayashi Rikako's shot and Mitsuhashi following up to scramble the ball over the line.

Nojima have major work to do over the winter in defence if they are to challenge next year, while Tokiwagi Gakuen look like the complete package this year. Nojima next face Setagaya in a big local derby in Sagamihara on Sunday, while on Saturday Tokiwagi Gakuen travel south to take on Sayama knowing a win will give them their third title in four years, though their two Challenge League East titles would pale into insignificance if they can take the Challenge League title this season.

Kobayashi dives in vain as Ito Miki's fine strike, following a blistering run down the right,
gives Tokiwagi Gakuen the early lead

Fukumura Kanae fouls Kinjo outside the box following a good Nojima break

Nojima's top scorer Yoshimi Natsuki exacts revenge by blasting home a trademark free kick

Nishikawa Ayaka made an impressive forward run and took this powerful shot...

...to once again give Tokiwagi Gakuen the lead in the 41st minute

Nojima gave the ball away cheaply to half-time substitute Sugihara Haruna (18)...

...and her pass saw the impressive Ito score her second of the day

A ricochet off Shiraki Akari (14) saw the ball loop over Kobayashi
for the home side's fifth of the afternoon

Tokiwagi Gakuen High School:
Fukumura Kanae, Kawasaki Saya, Kakinoki Runa, Hirata Miki, Okakura Mika (capt), Nishikawa Ayaka, Shiraki Akari, Ichise Nana, Ito Miki, Hirakuni Mizuki, Kobayashi Rikako
Subs: Sugihara Haruna (Hirakuni Mizuki, HT), Matsukubo Akari (Ichise Nana, 71 mins), Mitsuhashi Asuka (Nishikawa Ayaka, 84 mins)
Unused subs: Yagami Yuriya, Komori Aoi
Scorers: Ito Miki (6, 57 mins), Nishikawa Ayaka (41 mins), Hirata Miki (64 mins), Shiraki Akari (83 mins), Mitsuhashi Asuka (90+1 mins)
Booked: Okakura Mika

Nojima Stella Kanagawa:
Kobayashi Shiori, Terada Reiko, Yoshida Ayaka, Sakamoto Juri, Goto Maika, Yoshimi Natsuki, Oyama Saki (capt), Kinjo Airi, Inoue Yurie, Kanai Nanae, Kawarazaki Nozomi
Subs: Nagasawa Madoka (Kawarazaki Nozomi, 62 mins), Yamane Hikari (Oyama Saki, 74 mins), Nishimura Atsumi (Goto Maika, 89 mins), Saito Haruna (Inoue Yurie, 89 mins)
Unused subs: Nanjo Masayo
Scorers: Yoshimi Natsuki (10 mins)


Bunnys Kyoto SC  2 - 1  Nittaidai Football Club Ladies
(Attendance: 170)

Bunnys Kyoto had a good win over Nittaidai, who once again left many of their top players at home to compete in the Kanto University's League. Bunnys have made enormous improvements in defence from last season, but are still not scoring enough to threaten the top half of the table. Yu Ji Eun scored her first goal of the season to give Bunnys the half-time lead, though shortly after the restart Uchida Misuzu, by far and away Nittaidai's top scorer, equalised off a Kitano Rie through pass. Yamada Maho showed the value of her loan deal as she intercepted a stray pass and shot home the winner just five minutes later to give Bunnys all three points. Bunnys remain twelfth, but have gained on the two sides above them and can still finish in the top ten, with a trip to the JFA Academy next Sunday. On the same day Nittaidai play Ehime, though the likelihood is again that their most impressive players will not take part.

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 (Hanazaki Rena, 63 mins), Tanihara Yukari (Yu Ji Eun, 70 mins), Yoshino Yuka (Kushige Aoi, 81 mins)
Unused subs: Iwasa Megumi, Yamashita Yu
Scorers: Yu Ji Eun (29 mins), Yamada Maho (54 mins)
Booked: Kushige Aoi

Nittaidai Football Club Ladies:
Yamamoto Arisa, Maeda Risa, Nakayama Ayaka, Yamaguchi Minami (capt), Fujisawa Marin, Ito Riho, Kitano Rie, Ito Yukina, Uchida Misuzu, Ozeki Miyu, Kikuchi Kana
Unused subs: Hiraide Haruka
Scorers: Uchida Misuzu (49 mins)
Booked: Fujisawa Marin, Kitano Rie, Ito Yukina


Cerezo Osaka Sakai Ladies  1 - 2  Shizuoka Sangyo University Iwata Bonita
(Attendance: 136)

Cerezo Osaka Sakai Ladies came within moments of a fine draw with Shizuoka Sangyo, only for captain Sayama Momoko to once again show her determination with a late goal to give the away side all three points. Shizuoka's top scorer Nishiyama Mei gave her side the lead on 17 minutes, with Maegawa Miki equalising with her first of the season seventeen minutes later. Shizuoka made two changes at half-time and it was the substitute Hirano who found Sayama and her volley found the back of the net to keep her side within touch of the top five. Nine points behind Setagaya and with only three games remaining, the chances of a promotion play-off are now almost non-existant, though Shizuoka are still capable of winning their final three games and of a top five finish. The Cerezo girls are thirteenth and will almost certainly finish in that position. This was their final home game and it attracted the lowest attendance of all of their games, though an overall average of 269 for the season will have pleased the management. They next play Kagoshima while Shizuoka Sangyo host Nagano.

Cerezo Osaka Sakai Ladies:
Fukunaga Erika (capt), Matsubara Shiho, Shima Ayana, Azuma Manami, Morinaka Hina, Wakisaka Reina, Inoue Hina, Hayashi Honoka, Maegawa Miki, Tanaka Mika, Takarada Saori
Subs: Tamazakura Kotono (Wakisaka Reina, 44 mins), Nishida Meika (Matsubara Shiho, HT), Nojima Sakura (Takarada Saori, 57 mins)
Unused subs: Ishiodori Nana, Kawahara Hikari
Scorers: Maegawa Miki (34 mins)
Booked: Shima Ayana

Shizuoka Sangyo University Iwata Bonita:
Takahashi Miharu, Miyazaki Kaoru, Sayama Momoko (capt), Kanefuda Anzu, Nishiyama Mei, Ogata Yurika, Kubota Mitsuki, Oda Kanna, Ishida Risa, Shirai Aoi, Okuda Mika
Subs: Shimamura Kumiko (Miyazaki Kaoru, HT), Hirano Asami (Shirai Aoi, HT), Suzuki Rina (Okuda Mika, 76 mins)
Unused subs: Terada Ikumi, Takahata Airi
Scorers: Nishiyama Mei (17 mins), Sayama Momoko (90 mins)


Ehime FC Ladies  1 - 5  AS Elfen Sayama FC
(Attendance: 270)

Nakada Maiko, back in the Ehime starting lineup, gave Sayama a scare midway through the first half of this encounter, with her ninth goal of the season. Ehime's lead lasted barely three minutes though, as Sayama came roaring back through Suzuki Kaoruko, making her very first start following ten substitute appearances this season. In the second half Sayama pulled away to gurantee at least a play-off place come the end of the season. Two penalties were scored by Sayama in the second half, the first by Ito and the second by Muraoka. In between those goals was a brace for Saito Yuri, who is on a good run of form with four goals in as many games. More disappointment for Ehime then, with a difficult trip to play Nittaidai next. All eyes will be on the big game next weekend, the meeting between the top two in Konosu on Saturday evening. A win for Tokiwagi Gakuen guarantees them the title, any other result and the wait is prolonged for at least another week.

Ehime FC Ladies:
Ueno Yukiko, Kushiyama Saki, Onoyama Nana, Mukaidani Ayaka, Nishimura Nozomi, Yamashiro Miyuki, Akune Mana, Ogawa Manami, Kawamura Akari, Nakada Maiko, Nishigawa Sayumi (capt)
Subs: Horie Tomoko (Nishimura Nozomi, 53 mins), Kuzuma Riyo (Kawamura Akarii, 58 mins), Ono Miyuu (Ogawa Manami, 74 mins)
Unused subs: Niwa Mizuho, Senba Yuna
Scorers: Nakada Maiko (22 mins)
Booked: Horie Tomoko

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, Suzuki Kaoruko
Subs: Nara Misaki (Suzuki Kaoruko, 38 mins), Utsumi Yui (Kiyohara Yuko, 43 mins), Segi Aiki (Arakawa Eriko, 72 mins), Muraoka Natsuki (Azami Rie, 78 mins)
Unused subs: Kobayashi Maiko
Scorers: Suzuki Kaoruko (25 mins), Ito Kanako (50 mins, pen), Saito Yuri (52, 71 mins), Muraoka Natsuki (90 mins, pen)


Hoyo Sukarabu FC  0 - 3  Je Vrille Kagoshima
(Attendance: 116)

It now looks likely that both Kagoshima and Hoyo will be relegated to the Kyushu League as neither side looks to have enough to crawl out of the bottom two. Despite Kagoshima's win - their first of the season - their goal difference is so poor that they will need something extraordinary to occur for them to overtake Shimizu Daihachi Pleiades. Hoyo Sukarabu look doomed, with only four goals in all games and with tough games to come, their only hope seems to be a victory against Pleiades in two weeks' time. In this game, Oh Yu Sun was the heroine for Kagoshima as she netted twice, with Saito Toshiko scoring the final goal. Kagoshima next take on Cerezo Osaka Sakai Ladies needing another win, with Hoyo travelling to Niigata to take on the JSC Ladies.

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 (Matsumoto Mei, 65 mins), Nagamatsu Maki (Hanabusa Misa, 70 mins), Nakano Mizuki (Himeno Kanako, 90 mins)
Unused subs: Katsuo Hitomi, Kusuno Kaho

Je Vrille Kagoshima:
Nakagawa Yoshimi, Sakamoto Ayaka, Yamada Kaori, Hirata Misato, Murai Kaori, Fukuishi Konan, Imanaka Yuri, Saito Toshiko, Mitsudome Kanami, Sannomiya Shiki (capt), Oh Yu Sun
Unused subs: Konishi Momoka, Kim So Young, Sakamoto Kanna, Kawai Minami
Scorers: Oh Yu Sun (14, 60 mins), Saito Toshiko (86 mins)


Sfida Setagaya FC  6 - 1  Shimizu Daihachi Pleiades
(Attendance: 362)

Sfida Setagaya moved into third in the table with this very easy win over Shimizu Daihachi Pleiades, though they did surprisingly allow Pleiades to equalise Usuda's opener in the first half. Having reasserted themselves, they eventually pulled away with ease and remain five points behind Sayama in second. Mori Hitomi added another goal to her account to remain the league's top scorer, league debutant Shimojo Aya has been very impressive and scored twice, the first from a free kick. Young Nagasawa Yume also scored a brace in the second half. Setagaya next play local rivals Nojima Stella Kanagawa in a game they cannot afford to lose, with the following game a showdown with Sayama. Pleiades may survive the season despite this defeat, though they are likely to be defeated again next week against Fukuoka. Their focus is now on the following game against Hoyo Sukarabu. A win in that game will almost certainly mean survival.

Sfida Setagaya FC:
Kawaguchi Mana, Hori Yoshie, Tanaka Marina (capt), Okada Ayame, Fukuhara Nao, Mori Hitomi, Tanaka Mariko, Shimojo Aya, Nagasawa Yume, Usuda Haruka, Nagata Maya
Subs: Ishibuchi Yuki (Hori Yoshie, 53 mins), Kawashima Tamai (Nagasawa Yume, 67 mins), Oshima Sayuri (Usuda Haruka, 67 mins), Kuwahara Yoshie (Nagata Maya, 83 mins)
Unused subs: Osaki Aimi
Scorers: Usuda Haruka (8 mins), Shimojo Aya (36, 70 mins), Mori Hitomi (41 mins), Nagasawa Yume (55, 67 mins)

Shimizu Daihachi Pleiades:
Maruyama Kimi, Suwabe Wakana, Taniguchi Emi, Oda Sayaka, Kobayashi Natsumi, Miyagawa Tomoko, Kanashiro Wakana, Matsushita Norimi, Miura Kyoko, Hamanaka Saki, Kawachi Erika
Subs: Sato Masami (Maruyama Kimi, 37 mins), Inoue Yurie (Suwabe Wakana, HT), Hirukawa Mio (Oda Sayaka, 73 mins), Sato Mariko (Kobayashi Natsumi, 84 mins)
Scorers: Matsushita Norimi (27 mins)


AC Nagano Parceiro Ladies  0 - 3  JFA Academy Fukushima
(Attendance: 327)

Having already taken the lead in the 14th minute, the Academy's task was made all the easier when Nagano's ever-present Hamagaki Kana was sent off in first half additional time for a second bookable offence. The Academy had made seven changes for this fixture, bringing back all of their prominent players, and they made light work of the home side. By the time of the sending off they were 1-0 up, Kadoi Megumi with her third goal in just her second appearance this year. After the break the always reliable Norimatsu Ruka and Kojima Miku added goals to make the scoreline emphatic. Kojima now has a shots-to-goals ratio of 50%, and is likely to end this season top of this rankings, just as she did in 2012. The Academy take on Bunnys next week at home, with Nagano away to Shizuoka Sangyo.

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, 56 mins)
Unused subs: Unoki Mao, Yamashita Mayumi, Aoshima Miyabi, Nomoto Hanako
Sent off: Hamagaki Kana

JFA Academy Fukushima:
Inoue Nene, Okuma Rana, Moriya Miyabi, Norimatsu Ruka, Nakajo Yui, Kadoi Megumi, Hirata Mai, Mizutani Yuki, Kitagawa Hikaru, Tachibana Yo, Kojima Miku (capt)
Subs: Ikeda Mao (Kadoi Megumi, 69 mins), Ibaraki Mitsuba (Nakajo Yui, 84 mins)
Unused subs: Asano Natsumi, Takahashi Fuko, Ueda Yuriko
Scorers: Kadoi Megumi (14 mins), Norimatsu Ruka (75 mins), Kojima Miku (89 mins)


Fukuoka J. Anclas  1 - 0  Japan Soccer College Ladies
(Attendance: 286)

In a game of very few chances in poor weather in Kurume, Fukuoka finally got the breakthrough through an own goal in the 56th minute, though credit must be given to Fujimoto Yuki whose fine play down the right created the chance. Fukuoka stay in contention but are now reliant on other teams beating Setagaya in order for them to make the play-off spot. They next travel to Shizuoka to take on Pleiades in a game they'll certainly expect to win; the JSCL are at home to bottom side Hoyo. They remain eleventh after this defeat.

Fukuoka J. Anclas:
Jung Seul Won, Iimura Ami, Hanada Aiko (capt), Ito Chisa, Kurahara Honami, Ukita Kotone, Doshita Misato, Yoshizawa Ai, Shibuya Yumiko, Fujimoto Yuki, Tagashira Yoko
Subs: Hirata Hikari (Tagashira Yoko, 8 mins)
Unused subs: Shimada Megumi, Lee Hae Mi, Nomura Haruka
Scorers: Own Goal (56 mins)
Booked: Ukita Kotone

Japan Soccer College Ladies:
Kawashima Kana, Takahashi Sakura, Kusakari Ayako (capt), Kato Yoshimi, Sano Saki, Tadano Yuki, Sasaki Shiori, Sakaguchi Yuki, Niiho Madoka, Toriumi Mai, Nakashima Ayaka
Subs: Sanada Kasumi (Niiho Madoka, 74 mins)
Unused subs: Fukada Ayami, Kikuchi Ruri, Hasegawa Mai, Nomura Natsumi