Nadeshiko League Eleventh Round

JEF United Ichihara Chiba Ladies  1 - 1  FC Kibikokusaidaigaku Charme
(Attendance: 239)

FC Kibikokusaidaigaku came into this game following a run of four league defeats, in all of which they conceded at least four goals. With their three final games coming against Belle, INAC Kobe and Beleza, they will need to pick up valuable points in their next few games.

JEF United had already beaten Kibi on three occasions this season, including both League Cup fixtures, and they started with the same eleven which had beaten Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies last weekend. Kibi, on the other hand, handed Nadeshiko League debuts to first year student Takatsuka Ayane and former Bunnys Kyoto goalkeeper Isashi Kaede. The team's top scorer Hamamoto Marin came back into the starting lineup.

Though the heavy rain had abated, the typhoon winds blowing in made life difficult for the players, and with JEF United playing into the wind in the first half, they had little chance of scoring with several wayward shots. Isashi, prefered today because of her height, dealt well with the high balls which the home side pumped into the box. At the other end there was a good chance for Sugita Ami who ran clear of the defence but shot wide. Kibi grew in confidence and were playing well and when the ball was headed on by Nishikawa, Takatsuka flicked in on and launched an unstoppable shot into the top corner of the net from just outside the area.

With Kibi leading 1-0 at half-time, the wind died down completely and any advantage JEF United would have had dissapated. They made three changes in the first twenty minutes of the second half, Anzai Yuka, Hosokawa Motoyo and Yanai Rina all coming on as the push for an equaliser became more desperate. The attacks from the home side were numerous, but the Kibi defence was equal to them. At the other end Takahashi Chiho, now playing in defence in place of the injured Muramatsu Mafuyu, headed powerfully at goal but straight into the grateful arms of Yamane Erina.

Just when it seemed Kibi may hold on for their first ever away win in the top division, the home side got the breakthrough through two of their substitutes. Hosokawa Motoyo fought hard to win the ball back and her perfect pass into the box found Yanai Rina and her shot just made it into the side of the net, with Isashi's fingertip save not quite enough to push it away.

Thus the game ended in a score draw. Had Kibi come back from a goal down they'd have been delighted. As it was, the players were somewhat dejected though not completely down and were in relatively high spirits as they headed back to their hotel for another night in Kamogawa. Their next game is at home to Niigata, and they are confident of getting a result. JEF United next play away to Vegalta Sendai Ladies in Kakuda.

An early chance for Kibi saw Yamane just get enough on the ball to deflect it away

Playing into the winds of a typhoon, the JEF United players were regularly off-target;
this chance was the closest they came in the first half to scoring

League debutant Takatsuka Ayane (#49) was in no way overawed by the competition,
here she gets a header on targer with Kawamura Yuri challenging

Yamane Erina was called into action a number of times and
was brave going down here with Takahashi Chiho challenging

Kibi's best chance of the second half came from a corner kick. Takahashi powered in this header...

only for it to fall very kindly into the arms of Yamane

At the other end, Ogawa Shiho jumps highest but her header was saved by Isashi,
who made her Nadeshiko League debut today

Finally, with minutes remaining, JEF found the equaliser they were pushing for.
Yanai Rina takes the shot from the edge of the area...

and although Isashi gets her hand to the ball,
she couldn't get enough on it to prevent it from entering the net

JEF United Ichihara Chiba Ladies:
Yamane Erina, Ueno Saki, Takahashi Sachie, Ogawa Shiho, Chino Shoko, Ikadai Risa, Fukasawa Risa (capt), Hosaka Nodoka, Kawamura Mari, Kawamura Yuri, Sugasawa Yuika
Subs: Anzai Yuka (Chino Shoko, HT), Hosokawa Motoyo (Hosaka Nodoka, 58 mins), Yanai Rina (Kawamura Mari, 66 mins)
Unused subs: Yamamoto Naomi, Shimada Ayako
Scorers: Yanai Rina (86 mins)

FC Kibikokusaidaigaku Charme:
Isashi Kaede, Kamata Ran, Takahashi Chiho (capt), Takeda Arisa, Shigemasa Kai, Nagano Momoko, Takatsuka Ayane, Takano Saki, Sugita Ami, Nishikawa Asuka, Hamamoto Marin
Subs: Noma Fumika (Hamamoto Marin, 58 mins), Adachi Eriko (Takatsuka Ayane, 82 mins)
Unused subs: Morimoto Kiyo, Miyake Ayumi, Kanbara Misaki
Scorers: Takatsuka Ayane (37 mins)
Booked: Takatsuka Ayane


Albirex Niigata Ladies  1 - 3  NTV Beleza
(Attendance: 8,027)

NTV Beleza visited Niigata knowing that they need to win all of their remaining games if they are to have any chance of catching INAC Kobe, who are eight points ahead of them. Niigata are not entirely safe at the other end of the table, and will need to beat the sides around them before they can feel secure.

In front of a very large crowd, most of whom had turned up to watch the subsequent J-League match, it was Kiryu Nanase who made the difference, scoring twice in a seven-minute spell either side of half-time. With Ariyoshi Saori making it 3-0 on 53 minutes - with an assist from Kiryu - there was no way back for Niigata. The home side did have the final say though, a fine strike from Sakaguchi Moeno five minutes from time, and her first ever league goal.

Beleza stay second, and next play Iga on Saturday. A win for Beleza would close the gap at the top to five points, and would increase the gap over Iga to ten points. Niigata next have an important game away to FC Kibikokusaidaigaku Charme.

Albirex Niigata Ladies:
Ichitani Tomoko, Hirai Sakina, Nakamura Kaede, Kitahara Kana, Obara Yuria, Kamionobe Megumi (capt), Saito Yuri, Saeki Aya, Yamazaki Marumi, Kodama Keiko, Oishi Sayaka
Subs: Takamura Chisato (Hirai Sakina, 78 mins), Sakaguchi Moeno (Oishi Sayaka, 61 mins), Kubota Mayu (Saeki Aya, 85 mins)
Unused subs: Koganemaru Sachie, Shimokawa Saori
Scorers: Sakaguchi Moeno (85 mins)

NTV Beleza:
Soyama Kanako, Shimizu Risa, Iwashimizu Azusa (capt), Doko Mayo, Ariyoshi Saori, Sumida Rin, Hara Natsuko, Sakaguchi Mizuho, Momiki Yuka, Hasegawa Yui, Kiryu Nanase
Subs: Nakasato Yu (Hara Natsuko, 69 mins), Tanaka Mina (Kiryu Nanase, 78 mins), Takahashi Saori (Momiki Yuka, 85 mins)
Unused subs: Mochizuki Arisa, Sudo Akiko
Scorers: Kiryu Nanase (43, 49 mins), Ariyoshi Saori (53 mins)


Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies  3 - 2  Okayama Yunogo Belle
(Attendance: 1,282)

Urawa Reds won just their second league game of the season to pull slightly away from the bottom two with a fine win over Okayama Yunogo Belle, who have had a much better run of form recently than they started the season with. New manager Yoshida Yasushi brought in Kira Chinatsu for just her fourth start, with Saito Akane starting for the first start since the fourth match of the season. Shibata also came back into the side having missed last week's game. Belle started with the same eleven as they have most of the season.

Belle took the lead in the seventh minute, Miyazaki heading on Miyama's corner with Kado jumping highest to score with a header of her own. Urawa fought back very well, and restricted Belle to few chances. They equalised through Kishikawa, poking home following some determined buildup down the right and a subsequent  goalmouth scramble. Seven minutes later Urawa were in the lead, with Kira scoring with a fine curling shot; Urawa gaining possession in midfield through tenacity which was followed by a fine dribble from Goto.

Urawa have had problems keeping the lead, and they will have felt that they needed a third for some breathing space. To their relief, it came eleven minutes after half-time. Again Goto was the key, taking the ball past Yasuda Kuniko in the box with alarming ease to set up Kato Chika to score a very easy first goal of the season.

Belle struck back nine minutes later to give themselves hope of rescuing a point, Nakagawa with her first goal in her fourth substitute appearance. The Urawa defence was very poor and despite several opportunities to clear their lines, allowed Nakagawa to steal in and score.

Urawa held on though, to move onto eight points and are now two clear of Kibi in ninth. They next take on Beleza in Morioka; Belle are up against INAC Kobe in Aizuwakamatsu.

Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies:
Ikeda Sakiko, Wada Naoko, Kohata Shiho, Dozono Ayano, Saito Akane, Shibata Hanae, Kishikawa Natsuki, Fujita Nozomi, Kato Chika, Kira Chinatsu, Goto Michi (capt)
Subs: Yasuda Yuki (Kira Chinatsu, 75 mins), Kurishima Akari (Kato Chika, 90 mins), Sakamoto Riho (Shibata Hanae, 90+2 mins)
Unused subs: Tajiri Yumi, Tomari Shiho
Scorers: Kishikawa Natsuki (34 mins), Kira Chinatsu (41 mins), Kato Chika (56 mins)

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: Nakagawa Chihiro (Yokoyama Kumi, HT), Yamaguchi Mami (Nakagawa Chihiro, 84 mins), Fushiki Kaho (Kado Yuka, 87 mins)
Unused subs: Ikegaya Natsumi, Sakai Nozomi
Scorers: Kado Yuka (7 mins), Nakagawa Chihiro (65 mins)


Speranza FC Osaka Takatsuki  0 - 3  INAC Kobe Leonessa
(Attendance: 1,492)

Takatsuki were unsurprisingly no match for their visitors from Kobe, in a match played in terribly wet conditions. New Takatsuki signing Narumiya Yui came straight into their starting lineup for her first ever Nadeshiko League appearance. However, within five minutes last season's MVP and top scorer Takase Megumi had put her side in front, easily scoring with no defender near her following fine play from Kawasumi on the right.

By half-time it was 2-0 and the game was over as a contest. This time it was Moros finding Ji So Yun and her curling shot easily beat Suzuki who had moments earlier completely missed a cross and was maybe still disorientated when the shot came in.

Six minutes after half-time it was Kawasumi's turn to score, with Tanaka Yoko this time the provider. With a Takatsuki corner kick coming to nothing Kaihori launched the ball downfield, with Tanaka easily beating Itami to the ball, and with her first touch she found Kawasumi who steadied herself before scoring.

For Takatsuki the bad news just got worse, as with just minutes remaining Sung-Ngoen got herself sent off for a second bookable offense and will now miss her side's next game against Iga. INAC Kobe travel to Aizuwakamatsu to take on Belle.

Speranza FC Osaka Takatsuki:
Suzuki Risa, Sato Kaede, Okuda Akiko (capt), Hatanaka Miyuka, Hamada Haruka, Asano Miki, Tsuboi Ayako, Itami Emi, Narumiya Yui, Maruyama Karina, Kanjana Sung-Ngoen
Subs: Honda Saki (Maruyama Karina, 54 mins), Shimamura Yuko (Asano Miki, 80 mins), Torao Naomi (Narumiya Yui, 90+1 mins)
Unused subs: Ono Maya, Seesraum Naphat
Booked: Asano Miki, Sato Kaede
Sent off: Kanjana Sung-Ngoen

INAC Kobe Leonessa:
Kaihori Ayumi, Kinga Yukari, Kai Junko, Miyake Shiori, Rebecca Moros, Ji So Yun, Sawa Homare, Nakajima Emi, Kawasumi Nahomi (capt), Takase Megumi, Tanaka Yoko
Subs: Kyokawa Mai (Tanaka Yoko, 59 mins), Minamiyama Chiaki (Rebecca Moros, 67 mins)
Unused subs: Takenaka Rei, Isokane Midori, Michigami Ayaka
Scorers: Takase Megumi (5 mins), Ji So Yun (37 mins), Kawasumi Nahomi (51 mins)


Iga FC Kunoichi  3 - 1  Vegalta Sendai Ladies
(Attendance: 529)

The typhoon which struck Japan on Monday also caused chaos with Iga's home game against Vegalta Sendai. The visitors' coach took hours to complete what should have been a relatively short drive, and with the game already rescheduled for a late kickoff, the players had but only a few minutes to warm up before the game. With no floodlights at the game, the officials felt that they could not delay kickoff any further.

Vegalta had lost Sameshima Aya and Ito Minako to injury, but made a good start with a ninth minute goal from Inoue Ayaka, her first in the League. A fine ball over the top from Tahara Nozomi found the young forward and she finished very well.

Iga fought back very well, and seven minutes later were level, Nakade Hikari finally scoring her first of the season, and she wasn't finished for the day. Picking up the ball from a quick throw-in, Nakade crossed from an extremely tight angle out wide and with the strong wind affecting its flight, the ball sailed over Amano's outsretched arms and into the side of the net.

Some good quick passing movement led to Nakade's second in additional time. Having started the move, she made her way meanacingly into the box and swooped on Kobayashi Makiko's cross to give her side a 2-1 lead at half-time.

Nakade's third ended Vegalta's chances of coming away with good memories from their trip to Mie. This time it was a long ball from captain Nasu Maiko which undid the Vegalta defence, Nakade easily picking up the ball under no pressure and rounding Amano to score.

Iga held on to win quite comfortably, and will be relieved that Nakade has finally started to score. Having moved back into third, they next play away against second-placed Beleza on Saturday in a game originally scheduled for mid-October. Vegalta Sendai have two weeks for their injured players - with Takahashi Nana now added to that list - to recover for their home game against JEF United.

Iga FC Kunoichi:
Kuno Fubuki, Miyasako Tamami, Michikura Hiroko, Ohashi Mio, Kiyohara Marie, Nasu Maiko (capt), Matsunaga Tomoe, Kobayashi Makiko, Tsutsumi Saki, Matsunaga Yoshie, Nakade Hikari
Subs: Ono Suzuka (Kiyohara Marie, 43 mins), Sonomura Nana (Matsunaga Yoshie, 70 mins), Noichi Aya (Tsutsumi Saki, 84 mins)
Unused subs: Sawada Norimi, Sakaguchi Sakie
Scorers: Nakade Hikari (16, 45+2, 57 mins)

Vegalta Sendai Ladies:
Amano Misaki, Yamamoto Risa, Shimokozuru Aya (capt), Osafune Kana, Sasaki Mayu, Tahara Nozomi, Takahashi Nana, Uetsuji Yumi, Takara Ryoko, Inoue Ayaka, Yasumoto Sawako
Subs: Ideue Asako (Sasaki Mayu, 59 mins), Nakamura Mami (Takahashi Nana, 64 mins), Kawashima Haruna (Tahara Nozomi, 87 mins)
Unused subs: Saita Yuki, Imai Sayuri
Scorers: Inoue Ayaka (9 mins)