The 35th Empress' Cup - Quarter-Final Matches

Quarter-Final Matches, played Sunday 15th of December:

Match 29:
INAC Kobe Leonessa  7 - 0  FC Kibikokusaidaigaku Charme
(Attendance: 1,746)

INAC Kobe Leonessa eased into the semi-finals with a straightforward win over FC Kibikokusaidaigaku Charme in Kobe today. INAC were 1-0 up at half-time, Ji So Yun scoring after 34 minutes. In the second half INAC ran away with the tie, with goals from Kawasumi, Tanaka Yoko, Isokane Midori, two from Takase and another from the penalty spot by Ji. INAC's quest for a fourth successive Cup triumph continues next weekend against Iga, who have also won the Cup on three occasions. Kibi's students will now focus on the Inter-Collegiate Championships which begin at the end of the month.

INAC Kobe Leonessa:
Kaihori Ayumi, Kinga Yukari, Kai Junko, Isokane Midori, Nakajima Emi, Sawa Homare, Ji So Yun, Tanaka Yoko, Watanabe Ayaka, Kawasumi Nahomi (capt), Takase Megumi
Subs: Minamiyama Chiaki (Sawa Homare, 61 mins), Kyokawa Mai (Tanaka Yoko, 76 mins), Rebecca Moros (Watanabe Ayaka, 83 mins)
Unused subs: Takenaka Rei, Michigami Ayaka
Scorers: Ji So Yun (34, 77 mins, pen), Kawasumi Nahomi (51 mins), Tanaka Yoko (58 mins), Isokane Midori (73 mins), Takase Megumi (80, 88 mins)
Booked: Isokane Midori

FC Kibikokusaidaigaku Charme:
Morimoto Kiyo, Kamata Ran, Takeda Arisa, Takahashi Chiho (capt), Takano Saki, Shigemasa Kai, Sugita Ami, Yoshitake Manami, Nishikawa Asuka, Kurakazu Shiho, Hamamoto Marin
Subs: Adachi Eriko (Kurakazu Shiho, 59 mins), Miyake Ayumi (Yoshitake Manami, 80 mins), Noma Fumika (Hamamoto Marin, 80 mins)
Unused subs: Isashi Kaede, Tanaka Shiho
Booked: Takeda Arisa


Match 30:
Iga FC Kunoichi  2 - 1  Vegalta Sendai Ladies
(Attendance: 1,666)

Vegalta Sendai were very disappointing in losing to Iga, a team they beat quite comfortably in their first home game in the Nadeshiko League season. In the first half there was very little in the way of goalmouth action, though Kawashima Haruna made some incisive runs for Sendai. At the other end Iga created some chances but none of particular note.

The second half was a more entertaining fare, with Iga taking the lead on 65 minutes. A free kick outside the area was played towards the far post by Tsutsumi and Ono Suzuka was left all alone, volleying in for her first goal of the season. Vegalta Sendai responded almost immediately through Inoue Ayaka, who had replaced Kawashima at half-time. Her mazy dribble through the Iga defence and cool finish were the highlight of the match for the home fans, but Sendai were unable to push on to find a second goal.

With five minutes remaining Iga restored their deserved lead, and again it was a set-piece which undid Sendai. A free kick just inside from the corner flag was hoisted towards the far post. With Sendai unable to clear, Sato Ai found Nasu Maiko who managed to steer the ball through the massed defence to send the travelling fans into delirium. With so little time left Sendai were unable to find an equaliser, Iga managing to use up the remaining minutes down near the Sendai end.

Iga move on to face the considerable task of overcoming INAC Kobe in semi-final next Saturday, as they look for a return to the final for the first time since 2001, when they last won the competition.

Osafune Kana gets in a header on goal, one of the few clear chances Vegalta had in the game

Shimokozuru Aya heads away a cross, with Nakade Hikari lurking

Vegalta were punished from free kicks. From this chance, the ball was played in...

where Ono Suzuka could barely miss, giving Iga the lead in the 65th minute

Minutes later, Inoue Ayaka scores a fine goal after a wonderful slalom run through the Iga defence

With just five minutes remaining, Nasu Maiko (#6) scores the winning goal,
the ball squirming over the line through a mass of players

Iga FC Kunoichi:
Kuno Fubuki, Ono Suzuka, Michikura Hiroko, Miyasako Tamami, Sato Ai, Matsunaga Tomoe, Tsutsumi Saki, Nasu Maiko (capt), Kobayashi Makiko, Matsunaga Yoshie, Nakade Hikari
Subs: Noichi Aya (Matsunaga Tomoe, 61 mins), Haji Madoka (Matsunaga Yoshie, 77 mins), Sakaguchi Sakie (Tsutsumi Saki, 90 mins)
Unused subs: Sawada Norimi, Miyakawa Hazuki
Scorers: Ono Suzuka (65 mins), Nasu Maiko (85 mins)
Booked: Ono Suzuka

Vegalta Sendai Ladies:
Amano Misaki, Osafune Kana, Shimokozuru Aya (capt), Yamamoto Risa, Sameshima Aya, Tahara Nozomi, Uetsuji Yumi, Takahashi Nana, Takara Ryoko, Yasumoto Sawako, Kawashima Haruna
Subs: Inoue Ayaka (Kawashima Haruna, HT), Sakai Yuki (Tahara Nozomi, 85 mins)
Unused subs: Saita Yuki, Nakamura Mami, Sasaki Mayu
Scorers: Inoue Ayaka (68 mins)
Booked: Kawashima Haruna, Tahara Nozomi


Match 31:
Okayama Yunogo Belle  2 - 0  JEF United Ichihara Chiba Ladies
(Attendance: 1,276)

Okayama Yunogo Belle were disappointed to be knocked out at this stage last season, and were determined to do better this year against last year's runners-up. Belle's top scorer this season Arimachi Saori scored the opening goal on 22 minutes, after Yamane Erina in the JEF United goal came for the ball but collided with her own player. Just after the restart Nakano Manami added the second, and that was enough to see the Okayama side through to a semi-final match against Albrirex Niigata Ladies.

Okayama Yunogo Belle:
Fukumoto Miho (capt), Kado Yuka, Miyazaki Yuka, Tsuhako Yumiko, Takahashi Haruka, Nakano Manami, Miyama Aya, Fushiki Kaho, Yokoyama Kumi, Arimachi Saori, Matsuoka Miki
Subs: Mizushima Kumi (Tsuhako Yumiko, 73 mins), Yamaguchi Mami (Arimachi Saori, 81 mins), Nakagawa Chihiro (Yokoyama Kumi, 84 mins)
Unused subs: Ikegaya Natsumi, Yasuda Kuniko
Scorers: Arimachi Saori (22 mins), Nakano Manami (46 mins)

JEF United Ichihara Chiba Ladies:
Yamane Erina, Ueno Saki, Sakuramoto Naoko (capt), Takahashi Sachie, Chino Shoko, Ikadai Risa, Hosaka Nodoka, Yanai Rina, Kawamura Mari, Fukasawa Risa, Sugasawa Yuika
Subs: Hanagiri Naomi (Ikadai Risa, 55 mins), Hosokawa Motoyo (Hosaka Nodoka, 81 mins), Ogawa Shiho (Yanai Rina, 81 mins)
Unused subs: Funada Mayu, Shimada Ayako


Match 32:
Albirex Niigata Ladies  1 - 0  NTV Beleza
(Attendance: 629)

Beleza were fully expected to overcome Niigata today to progress to yet another Cup semi-final but were undone by the pace and determination of Niigata's play. Throughout the game much of Beleza's play was lackadaisical, with most of the bright play coming from their youngest players. Niigata had made the better start before Beleza came back into the game more towards half-time, but there were few good chances for either side.

At half-time Tanaka Mina was brought on for the ineffective Takahashi Saori, and Tanaka presented far more threat to the Niigata defence. The game exploded into life on the hour mark when the speedy Tiffany McCarty ran clear of her marker following a good through-ball and was taken down by Beleza goalkeeper Soyama Kanako just outside the area. The referee had no choice but to send her off, as McCarty was about to round her to score. Mochizuki Arisa, who hitherto this season had only played seventeen minutes, was brought in to goal, with Sumida Rin making way. Niigata set up the free kick well, with two players in the wall diving out of the way of Kamionobe's left-footed strike, and with Mochizuki seeing the ball late, she was unable to get down in time to save it.

A goal and a player up, Niigata began to play far better than they had done in the first hour. For Beleza Momiki, Hasegawa and Tanaka were always dangerous, and a marvellous tackle on Tanaka by Nakamura when a goal seemed certain in additional time meant it would not be Beleza's day. Niigata were ecstatic at the final whistle, and the 2011 runners-up next face Okayama Yunogo Belle on Saturday.

Ichitani was commanding in goal for Niigata throughout the ninety minutes

Hasegawa Yui was lively and determined on Beleza's right

Tanaka Mina came on for Beleza at half-time and immediately became their biggest threat

Yamazaki Marumi combined well with Tiffany McCarty in attack

Hasegawa again shoots well, bringing a fine save out of Ichitani

Soyama is crestfallen as she is sent off for fouling McCarty on the edge of the area

Kamionobe Megumi lines up the free kick, with two of her own players in the wall...

the two players dive to the ground, creating an opening...

the ball nestles in the corner, with replacement goalkeeper Mochizuki Arisa unsighted

Yamazaki attempts a bicycle kick...

with Mochizuki acrobatically saving

Ichitani was again the Niigata heroine, saving here at the feet of Momiki Yuka

Nakamura Kaede produces a game-winning, superbly-timed tackle to deny
Tanaka Mina an equaliser in additional time

Albirex Niigata Ladies:
Ichitani Tomoko, Kitahara Kana, Takamura Chisato, Nakamura Kaede, Obara Yuria, Yamazaki Marumi, Kamionobe Megumi (capt), Saito Yuri, Kodama Keiko, Saeki Aya, Tiffany McCarty
Subs: Yamamoto Arina (Obara Yuria, 90 mins), Hirai Sakina (Saeki Aya, 81 mins), Oishi Sayaka (Kodama Keiko, 74 mins)
Unused subs: Koganemaru Sachie, Sakaguchi Moeno
Scorers: Kamionobe Megumi (63 mins)

NTV Beleza:
Soyama Kanako, Shimizu Risa, Sudo Akiko, Iwashimizu Azusa (capt), Ariyoshi Saori, Hara Natsuko, Sumida Rin, Sakaguchi Mizuho, Hasegawa Yui, Momiki Yuka, Takahashi Saori
Subs: Tanaka Mina (Takahashi Saori, HT), Mochizuki Arisa (Sumida Rin, 60 mins), Nakasato Yu (Hasegawa Yui, 81 mins)
Unused subs: Doko Mayo, Yamada Shoko
Sent Off: Soyama Kanako


Semi-Final Matches, ties to be played Saturday 21st of December:

Match 33:
INAC Kobe Leonessa versus Iga FC Kunoichi

Match 34:
Okayama Yunogo Belle versus Albirex Niigata Ladies


Final Match, to be played Monday 23rd of December:

Match 35:
Winner of Match 33 versus Winner of Match 34