Challenge League Final Round

JFA Academy Fukushima  0 - 1  Tokiwagi Gakuen High School
(Attendance: 223)

An enthralling game in Gotenba saw Tokiwagi Gakuen win the Challenge League title with a goal from Nishikawa Ayaka six minutes from time. Starting the game a point ahead of free-scoring Sayama, Tokiwagi knew that they had to win to ensure that they could not be overtaken on the final day, but the Academy were not going to let them have it their own way, and the game was evenly matched.

With Sayama pulling away easily from Fukuoka, Tokiwagi were in real danger of losing out, but as always they kept playing their usual slick passing style and finally, it paid off, with Nishikawa sticking it into the net following a scramble in the box.

Tokiwagi Gakuen thus win the Challenge League by a single point, having won twenty of their twenty-two matches. Sasaki Miwa finished as their top scorer with fourteen goals, followed by Ito Miki and Shiraki Akari on thirteen. Nishikawa's late goal was her tenth of the season.

For the Academy Kojijma Miku had another stunning season, and she scored thirteen, well clear of all other players, and finished for the second successive season with the highest goals-to-shots ratio of any player in the division.

Both sides now look forward to the Empress' Cup, and thereafter Tokiwagi Gakuen will look to defend their title in the High School Championships.

JFA Academy Fukushima:
Hirao Chika, Takahira Miyu, Moriya Miyabi, Norimatsu Ruka, Kojima Miku (capt), Ibaraki Mitsuba, Ikeda Mao, Mizutani Yuki, Kadoi Megumi, Okuma Rana, Ueda Yuriko
Subs: Tsukamoto Natsuki (Ueda Yuriko, 58 mins), Yonei Honoka (Ibaraki Mitsuba, 67 mins), Takahashi Fuko (Ikeda Mao, 89 mins)
Unused subs: Asano Natsumi, Fuji Nanako

Tokiwagi Gakuen High School:
Fukumura Kanae, Kawasaki Saya, Kakinoki Runa, Hirata Miki, Okakura Mika (capt), Nishikawa Ayaka, Shiraki Akari, Mitamura Momoko, Ito Miki, Hirakuni Mizuki, Sasaki Miwa
Subs: Matsukubo Akari (Mitamura Momoko, HT), Sugihara Haruna (Hirakuni Mizuki, HT), Komori Aoi (Sasaki Miwa, 76 mins)
Unused subs: Yagami Yuriya, Kadowaki Shihomi
Scorers: Nishikawa Ayaka (84 mins)


AS Elfen Sayama FC  5 - 1  Fukuoka J. Anclas
(Attendance: 1,225)

A marvellous crowd turned up to watch Sayama's final Challenge League match, still hoping that Tokiagi Gakuen would slip up and that they could snatch the title on the last day. Fukuoka have not been able to match Sayama this season following relegation and may require rebuilding over a number of seasons. Sayama blitzed their guests with three goals in an eight minute period with Ito, Nara and Arakawa giving their side an unassailable 3-0 lead at half time. Arakawa scored twice more in the second half to finish the season with twenty-three goals (Ito scored twenty-two) as all attention was focussed on the latest news from Gotenba, where the JFA Academy were still holding Tokiwagi to a scoreless draw. Fukuoka's most promising young player Hirata Hikari scored a late consolation, as Fukuoka finished a disappointing fifth.

It was not to be for Sayama, Nishikawa's late goal for Tokiwagi Gakuen winning them the title, though for Sayama it really was all about promotion, and they were well clear at the final reckoning. They hope to continue to improve with a combination of veterans and youngsters before the start of their next season in the Nadeshiko 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: Utsumi Yui (Kiyohara Yuko, 66 mins), Otani Erina (Hagiwara Aimi, 75 mins), Suzuki Kaoruko (Nara Misaki, 81 mins), Akitaya Misato (Azami Rie, 85 mins)
Unused subs: Kobayashi Maiko
Scorers: Ito Kanako (23 mins), Nara Misaki (24 mins), Arakawa Eriko (31, 60, 90+1 mins)

Fukuoka J. Anclas:
Shimada Megumi, Ito Chisa, Hanada Aiko (capt), Yanagita Shiori, Kurahara Honami, Fujimoto Yuki, Doshita Misato, Iimura Ami, Shibuya Yumiko, Hirata Hikari, Yoshizawa Ai
Subs: Lee Hae Mi (Yoshizawa Ai, 78 mins)
Unused subs: Jung Seul Won, Nomura Haruka
Scorers: Hirata Hikari (77 mins)
Booked: Yanagita Shiori


Je Vrille Kagoshima  1 - 6  Bunnys Kyoto SC
(Attendance: 172)

Je Vrille Kagoshima have had an appalling season, exemplified perfectly by this home drubbing by Bunnys Kyoto SC. Oh Yu Sun has been Kagoshima's most appealing player and she scored again today to take her tally to five. Aside from that, the play was all one-way as Bunnys reached recorded their seventh win of the season. Their scorers were Hanazaki Rena, Saito Natsumi, Kushige Aoi with her seventh of the season, Sawada Yuka and captain Toyoda Nayuha, the former international player who has been at the heart of Bunnys' improvement this season. She will hope to see more players of quality joining the side in the off-season to help them move up the table.

Kagoshima enter a relegation battle against teams from the regional leagues, and do not look strong enough to maintain their Challenge League status.

Je Vrille Kagoshima:
Nakagawa Yoshimi, Sakamoto Ayaka, Hirata Misato, Mok Sun Jung, Murai Kaori, Yamada Kaori, Imanaka Yuri, Saito Toshiko, Mitsudome Kanami, Sannomiya Shiki (capt), Oh Yu Sun
Scorers: Oh Yu Sun (68 mins)

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, 50 mins), Yoshino Yuka (Yu Ji Eun, 71 mins), Yamashita Yu (Sawada Yuka, 84 mins), Iwasa Megumi (Konno Mai, 90 mins)
Unused subs: Tanihara Yukari
Scorers: Hanazaki Rena (8 mins), Saito Natsumi (16, 63 mins), Kushige Aoi (76 mins), Sawada Yuka (83 mins), Toyoda Nayuha (90+3 mins)
Booked: Nakamura Miki


Shizuoka Sangyo University Iwata Bonita  1 - 2  Ehime FC Ladies
(Attendance: 181)

Having beaten some of the sides above them, Shizuoka Sangyo continue to surprise everyone by struggling against those below them. Nishigawa Sayumi and Akune Mana scored in the first half for Ehime - the latter reaching ten goals for the season - with Shizuoka only really coming into the game in the second half. A late reply from the outstanding Sayama Momoko was little consolation to them.

Shizuoka Sangyo travel to Bunnys next week for the final game of the season, postponed as a result of bad weather. Ehime's Nakado Maiko also scored ten goals, though the management will need to improve the team if they are to be serious contenders.

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

Ehime FC Ladies:
Osako Hanako, Kushiyama Saki, Onoyama Nana, Sato Hiromi, Nishimura Nozomi, Yamashiro Miyuki, Nakada Maiko, Ogawa Manami, Kawamura Akari, Akune Mana, Nishigawa Sayumi (capt)
Subs: Kuzuma Riyo (Nakada Maiko, 80 mins), Ono Miyuu (Kawamura Akari, 85 mins)
Unused subs: Ueno Yukiko, Mukaidani Ayaka, Yamada Maya
Scorers: Nishigawa Sayumi (26 mins), Akune Mana (40 mins)


Japan Soccer College Ladies  3 - 1  AC Nagano Parceiro Ladies
(Attendance: 178)

Last season's bottom two faced off today with few of the worries with which they ended 2012, with the home side running out easy winners. Nakashima Ayaka scored her fifth in the ninth minute, with Iwasaki Manami netting just her second of the season two minutes later. Urasaki Yuka has had a quieter season than expected, though she did score her fourth of 2013 as Nagano pressed in the latter stages. With less than ten minutes left on the clock, Toriumi Mai scored her twelfth of the season, eclipsing her record from last season to her obvious delight.

Toriumi ended the season well clear of all other JSCL players in the scoring charts, while for Nagano Uchiyama Tomoka was their heroine, with nine. Both sides made significant improvements, finishing with twenty-eight points each, an increase of eighteen for both teams from last year.

Japan Soccer College Ladies:
Kawashima Kana, Kato Yoshimi, Takahashi Sakura, Kusakari Ayako (capt), Sano Saki, Tadano Yuki, Sasaki Shiori, Sakaguchi Yuki, Nakashima Ayaka, Toriumi Mai, Iwasaki Manami
Subs: Matsumoto Hotaru (Iwasaki Manami, 59 mins), Niiho Madoka (Sasaki Shiori, 72 mins)
Unused subs: Fukada Ayami, Kikuchi Ruri, Sanada Kasumi
Scorers: Nakashima Ayaka (9 mins), Iwasaki Manami (11 mins), Toriumi Mai (81 mins)

AC Nagano Parceiro Ladies:
Matsumoto Azumi, Shinohara Shihoko, Tanaka Nami (capt), Hatano Saki, Urasaki Yuka, Uchiyama Tomoyo, Yoshida Aoi, Takagi Nao, Uchiyama Tomoka, Hamagaki Kana, Aoshima Miyabi
Subs: Komatsu Misato (Hatano Saki, 64 mins)
Unused subs: Unoki Mao, Kukita Yuko, Yamashita Mayumi, Sato Kaede
Scorers: Urasaki Yuka (71 mins)


Shimizu Daihachi Pleiades  2 - 1  Cerezo Osaka Sakai Ladies
(Attendance: 98)

Cerezo Osaka Sakai Ladies will be disappointed to have lost to weak opposition today, but will be happy with their performance over the season. Both sides have survived, with Pleiades looking in danger of the drop next season, unless improvements are made in every department.

All three goals came in the second half, former Bunnys player Miura Kyoko scored the first for Shimizu with their top scorer Hamanaki Saki adding the second thirteen minutes from time. A consolation for Cerezo came in the form of a first league goal for Katsuoka Miyu late in the game.

Pleiades end on ten points, six clear of danger, with Cerezo eight ahead of them in thirteenth place. Hamanaki scored six for Pleiades, Matsubara Shiho was Cerezo's standout player with ten.

Shimizu Daihachi Pleiades:
Sato Masami, Suwabe Wakana, Taniguchi Emi, Oda Sayaka, Inoue Yurie, Miyagawa Tomoko, Kanashiro Wakana (capt), Matsushita Norimi, Kobayashi Natsumi, Hamanaka Saki, Kawasumi Saki
Subs: Miura Kyoko (Inoue Yurie, HT), Kawachi Erika (Suwabe Wakana, HT), Hirukawa Mio (Kawasumi Saki, 75 mins)
Unused subs: Maruyama Kimi, Sato Mariko
Scorers: Miura Kyoko (59 mins), Hamanaka Saki (77 mins)

Cerezo Osaka Sakai Ladies:
Shiba Hiyori, Tamazakura Kotono, Azuma Manami, Shima Ayana, Morinaka Hina, Wakisaka Reina, Inoue Hina, Hayashi Honoka (capt), Maegawa Miki, Nojima Sakura, Tanaka Mika
Subs: Katsuoka Miyu (Tanaka Mika, HT), Takarada Saori (Tamazakura Kotono, HT), Hashimitsu Kyoka (Wakisaka Reina, 65 mins), Furusawa Rui (Nojima Sakura, 75 mins), Ishiodori Nana (Shiba Hiyori, 83 mins)
Scorers: Katsuoka Miyu (90 mins)
Booked: Wakisaka Reina


Nittaidai Football Club Ladies  1 - 4  Sfida Setagaya FC
(Attendance: 174)

Nittaidai succumbed to their fifth consecutive loss as their second string players again found the going tough against near neighbours Sfida Setagaya, who were determined to end the regular season with a good win to build confidence ahead of their play-off in November.

Usuda Haruka, who had scored the final goal on Wednesday which clinched the play-off spot, struck after twelve minutes to give the visitors the lead, only for Goto Ami to reply minutes later with only her second of the season. Setagaya took the lead again on 35 minutes, Shimojo Aya with her ninteenth in her first league season. In the second half the league's top scorer Mori Hitomi scored twice to confirm her place at the top, the second from the spot entering additional time.

Setagaya then, have quite a wait until the discover the identity of their opponents, while Nittaidai can now focus entirely on the Kanto University League, with the final Inter-Collegiate tournament to come in December and January. Mori Hitomi finishes as league top scorer with twenty-seven goals, Nittaidai's top striker was Uchida Misuzu with nine.

Nittaidai Football Club Ladies:
Hiraide Haruka, Maeda Risa, Yamamoto Hirona, Yamaguchi Minami (capt), Fujisawa Marin, Ito Riho, Kitano Rie, Ito Yukina, Goto Ami, Kikuchi Kana, Uchida Misuzu
Subs: Shimada Chiaki (Ito Riho, HT), Uemura Shoko (Kikuchi Kana, HT)
Unused subs: Yamamoto Arisa, Nakayama Ayaka, Abe Rie
Scorers: Goto Ami (22 mins)
Booked: Fujisawa Marin, Yamamoto Hirona

Sfida Setagaya FC:
Kawaguchi Mana, Hori Yoshie, Tanaka Marina (capt), Usui Rie, Nagata Maya, Mori Hitomi, Tomiyama Hitomi, Usuda Haruka, Nagasawa Yume, Minemoto Chizuru, Shimojo Aya
Subs: Oba Saori (Minemoto Chizuru, 61 mins), Kawashima Tamai (Hori Yoshie, 67 mins), Mitsuma Mutsumi (Usuda Haruka, 72 mins), Ikeda Takami (Nagasawa Yume, 80 mins)
Unused subs: Osaki Aimi
Scorers: Usuda Haruka (12 mins), Shimojo Aya (35 mins), Mori Hitomi (62, 90 mins, pen)


Nojima Stella Kanagawa  7 - 0  Hoyo Sukarabu FC
(Attendance: 323)

A match between two promoted teams with vastly contrasting first seasons in the Challenge League saw Nojima Stella Kanagawa ease their way past Hoyo Sukarabu who look destined for a swift return to regional football. Nojima's Yoshimi Natsuki started the day on twenty goals, five behind leader Mori Hitomi, and was determined to score as many as possible today in hope of taking over at the top. She gave herself a chance with three in the first half, with another strike from Inoue Yurie to make it 4-0 at half-time, with Hoyo barely in the game. In the second half Yoshimi scored another with two goals from Nagasawa Madoka and Kawarazaki Nozomi making it seven by the end.

Nojima finish fourth, twelve points off the winners Tokiwagi Gakuen. They will look to strengthen their defence over the winter in preparation for a promotion challenge next year. Hoyo Sukarabu now face a play-off to survive, having only scored five goals this season with one point to show for their efforts, the suspicion is that they will be relegated back to the Kyushu League.

Nojima Stella Kanagawa:
Kobayashi Shiori, Terada Reiko, Yoshida Ayaka, Sakamoto Juri, Kinjo Airi, Yoshimi Natsuki, Oyama Saki (capt), Nagasawa Madoka, Inoue Yurie, Kanai Nanae, Saito Haruna
Subs: Nanjo Masayo (Kobayashi Shiori, HT), Goto Maika (Kinjo Airi, HT), Kawarazaki Nozomi (Saito Haruna, HT), Kataoka Saki (Inoue Yurie, 80 mins), Yamane Hikari (Nagasawa Madoka, 80 mins)
Scorers: Yoshimi Natsuki (10, 33, 36, 85 mins), Inoue Yurie (18 mins), Nagasawa Madoka (61 mins), Kawarazaki Nozomi (85 mins)

Hoyo Sukarabu FC:
Umemura Minami, Suzu Arisa, Sato Mitsuki, Kondo Nanami, Hashimoto Emiko, Matsumoto Mei, Kinoshita Yuuna, Wada Mari, Kiyosue Chihiro, Kugimiya Risa, Himeno Kanako (capt)
Subs: Hanabusa Misa (Kinoshita Yuuna, HT)
Unused subs: Katsuo Hitomi, Nagamatsu Maki, Kusuno Kaho