Nojima Stella Kanagawa versus Sfida Setagaya FC (Challenge League Twentieth Round)

This match was initially played on September 8th, but was called off six minutes into the second half due to the pitch becoming unplayable. It was then resumed on September 18th, with Sfida Setagaya FC leading by two goals to nil.


Nojima Stella Kanagawa  0 - 3  Sfida Setagaya FC
(Attendance: 194)

Sfida Setagaya won this local derby to guarantee themselves a play-off match against the team finishing ninth in the Nadeshiko League, which concludes in November. However, due to heavy rain it was necessary to play the game over two separate occasions.

Setagaya took a two goal lead over Nojima before the interruption, Shimojo Aya and Tomiyama Hitomi adding more goals to their tallies this year, with both players having joined upon graduating from colleges playing in the Kanto League.

Minutes after Tomiyama's goal, the referee called a halt to the game as the pitch had become unplayable. In the interval before the restarted match ten days later, Setagaya lost to Sayama, which ended their hopes of automatic promotion. However, Fukuoka J. Anclas had also lost and the Setagaya players therefore resumed this match knowing that they only needed a draw to ensure the coveted play-off position.

As it was, Setagaya ran out ran out easy winners, with a third goal from Usuda Haruka in the 68th minute adding gloss to the scoreline. They now go into their final match against another Kanagawa team, Nittaidai, knowing that they can relax, enjoy themselves and wait for the play-off in November.

Nojima dropped to fourth following this loss, and will hope to finish the season with a comprehensive victory over bottom side Hoyo Sukarabu.

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: Saito Haruna (Kawarazaki Nozomi, 70 mins)
Unused subs: Nanjo Masayo, Kataoka Saki, Nishimura Atsumi, Yamane Hikari

Sfida Setagaya FC:
Kawaguchi Mana, Fukuhara Nao, Tanaka Marina (capt), Usui Rie, Nagata Maya, Kuwahara Yoshie, Tomiyama Hitomi, Shimojo Aya, Nagasawa Yume, Usuda Haruka, Mori Hitomi
Subs: Okada Ayame (Usui Rie, 51 mins), Oshima Sayuri (Usuda Haruka, 86 mins), Hori Yoshie (Nagasawa Yume, 88 mins), Nagasaki Akane (Mori Hitomi, 89 mins)
Unused subs: Osaki Aimi
Scorers: Shimojo Aya (43 mins), Tomiyama Hitomi (51 mins), Usuda Haruka (68 mins)
Booked: Tanaka Marina