Challenge League First Round

Nojima Stella Kanagawa Sagamihara  3 - 2  Cerezo Osaka Sakai Ladies
(Attendance: 454)

Nojima Stella have high hopes of promotion to the Nadeshiko League and they couldn't have had a better start to their campaign as new recruit Minamino Arisa scored in the first minute to give them the lead over Cerezo Osaka Sakai Ladies. Minamino, a graduate of Kanto Gakuen University, made her league debut along with Waseda graduate Omiya Reona in midfield. Cerezo used a very similar lineup to that with which they played much of last season, with the obvious exclusion of Nishida Meika and Matsubara Shiho, who earlier in the day won the U-17 World Cup in Costa Rica.

Minamino scored again after 13 minutes, and the points looked sealed when Yoshimi Natsuki, Nojima's top scorer last season, scored to make it 3-0. Cerezo's players are a year older and more experienced from their last match against Nojima though, and there was to be no repeat of the 9-3 hammering they received last season. Tamazakura Kotono, who only started twice last year, pulled a goal back just after the half-hour mark, and Yakata Miyu, who joined the team late last season, gave her side real hope with a goal just after half-time.

Ultimately, Nojima were able to withstand the pressure in a more evenly contested second half, and will have been thankful for all three points in what promises to be a close contest. They next travel west to take on Bunnys, while Cerezo are at home to their new local rivals from Takatsuki.

Nojima Stella Kanagawa Sagamihara:
Kobayashi Shiori, Terada Reiko, Yoshida Ayaka, Sakamoto Juri, Oyama Saki (capt), Yoshimi Natsuki, Omiya Reona, Kinjo Airi, Inoue Yurie, Minamino Arisa, Kanai Nanae
Subs: Nagasawa Madoka (Kinjo Airi, 59 mins), Goto Maika (Inoue Yurie, 75 mins)
Unused subs: Nanjo Masayo, Kawarazaki Nozomi, Saito Haruna
Scorers: Minamino Arisa (1, 13 mins), Yoshimi Natsuki (16 mins)

Cerezo Osaka Sakai Ladies:
Fukunaga Erika (capt), Fujiwara Nodoka, Wakisaka Reina, Azuma Manami, Morinaka Hina, Maegawa Miki, Furusawa Rui, Yakata Miyu, Takarada Saori, Nojima Sakura, Tamazakura Kotono
Subs: Hayashi Honoka (Tamazakura Kotono, 78 mins), Katsuoka Miyu (Nojima Sakura, 83 mins)
Unused subs: Nishinaka Maho, Hashimitsu Kyoka, Tanaka Mika
Scorers: Tamazakura Kotono (31 mins), Yakata Miyu (46 mins)


Ehime FC Ladies  0 - 1  Nittaidai Football Club Ladies
(Attendance: 400)

Ehime have faint hopes of promotion to the Nadeshiko League, but this opening day defeat to Nittaidai will prompt a more realistic assessment of their chances. The home side brought in Watai Shiori of Waseda University and the starting lineup also featured the return of Haruyama Saori, who spent a year at JEF United. Nittaidai introduced some of their own new students, including goalkeeper Inoue Nene from the JFA Academy Fukushima and from the schools' champions Hinomoto Gakuen High School Haza Hisui made her league debut in defence.

On a wet surface Nittaidai have few chances, though that's all Uemura Shoko needs to make an impact and in the 37th minute she scored the game's only goal. From Inoue's goalkick Sakurai Mayuka took control of the ball on the left and her pass into the middle was picked up by Uemura and her right-footed shot beat Ehime's veteran goalkeeper Ueno Yukiko.

Nittaidai next play Fukuoka J. Anclas in Yokohama, with the visitors desperate not to lose again following their shocking home defeat to Bunnys Kyoto. Ehime are again at home, and face a difficult challenge in the form on Ange Violet Hiroshima.

Ehime FC Ladies:
Ueno Yukiko, Iwamoto Yuka, Nishigawa Sayumi (capt), Nishimura Nozomi, Haruyama Saori, Yamashiro Miyuki, Kushiyama Saki, Watai Shiori, Ogawa Manami, Kawamura Akari, Akune Mana
Subs: Kariya Maiko (Kawamura Akari, HT), Tagami Natsumi (Ogawa Manami, 73 mins), Taketa Natsumi (Watai Shiori, 86 mins)
Unused subs: Osako Hanako, Yamada Maya

Nittaidai Football Club Ladies:
Inoue Nene, Sakurai Mayuka, Haza Hisui, Abe Rie, Oki Shiho, Goto Ami, Enokidani Misaki, Ito Yukina (capt), Fuse Kanako, Uemura Shoko, Maegami Eri
Subs: Yamakawa Natsuki (Maegami Eri, 90 mins)
Unused subs: Matsuda Kasumi, Mihara Kaho, Kojima Wakiko, Kitano Rie
Scorers: Uemura Shoko (37 mins)


Speranza FC Osaka Takatsuki  1 - 0  Ange Violet Hiroshima
(Attendance: 452)

Having failed to win any game in the Nadeshiko League last season, Takatsuki were relatively comfortable winners in their first game of this Challenge League season. Yoshimura Midori from Musashigaoka College and Sato Kaede from Fukuoka J. Anclas made their debuts for the club. Ange Violet Hiroshima gave a good account of themselves, and will look forward to the return of tall forward Saihara Mizuki, who featured in the U-17 World Cup.

A single goal after 58 minutes was enough to win the game for the home side, Narumiya Yui scoring her first goal since 2012 after a mistake in the Hiroshima defence.

Takatsuki will be one of the favourites for promotion, but will not have things all their own way, though they should have enough to overcome Cerezo Osaka Sakai next week, in the first derby game between the two sides. Ange Violet are again away, this time to Ehime.

Speranza FC Osaka Takatsuki:
Ono Maya, Tsuboi Ayako, Hatanaka Miyuka, Akiba Yumeko, Ikeda Asumi, Yoshimura Midori, Narumiya Yui, Torao Naomi, Sato Kaede (capt), Maruyama Karina, Hazuki Yuki
Subs: Saito Toshiko (Yoshimura Midori, 83 mins)
Unused subs: Gocho Misaki, Hirano Satoko, Shimamura Yuko, Horiuchi Sayaka
Scorers: Narumiya Yui (58 mins)

Ange Violet Hiroshima:
Uetani Kumiko, Konishi Natsuki, Yamashita Kurumi, Tanaka Ayako (capt), Kitagawa Kana, Mizuno Yuri, Takeda Yuki, Ichikawa Sonoka, Yamagata Hisami, Katsurama Fumina, Enya Mari
Subs: Uozumi Arisa (Mizuno Yuri, 84 mins)
Unused subs: Kameda Megumi, Yamashita Mayumi, Kuramoto Aya, Tokoro Yuka


Fukuoka J. Anclas  1 - 2  Bunnys Kyoto SC
(Attendance: 452)

Fukuoka J. Anclas' hopes of a return to the Nadeshiko League look extremely doubtful after their capitulation to a Bunnys Kyoto side likely to be battling relegation. A large number of players made their debuts for both sides; Fukuoka's debutantes were Doi Narumi, Takahashi Chizuru, Fukui Shihori, Fujisawa Marin and Kishi Hoshimi, who only joined this week. Akamine Mizuki, Kawano Maaya, Shibuya Yumiko, Matsuda Nozomi, Oshima Sayuri and Yamamoto Yumi started their first game for Bunnys Kyoto.

Shibuya Yumiko, who was one of Fukuoka's leading players in 2013, opened the scoring after 40 minutes, following good work from Kawano and Akiyama down the middle. Fukuoka had no shots on goal in the first half and although the were more productive in the second half it was Bunnys who scored the second vital goal with just over fifteen minutes to play. Again the ball was played down the middle, with Sawada supplying another former Fukuoka player, Kushige Aoi who made no mistake in front of goal.

Fukuoka pulled one back two minutes from time, Ito Chisa heading in Doshita Misato's free kick, but it was far too late and Kyushu's only league side will now travel to Yokohama to face a Nittaidai team in no mood to be generous. Bunnys are at home to the ambitious Nojima Stella.

Fukuoka J. Anclas:
Kishi Hoshimi, Yanagita Shiori, Hanada Aiko (capt), Ito Chisa, Fujisawa Marin, Doi Narumi, Doshita Misato, Yoshizawa Ai, Takahashi Chizuru, Fukui Shihori, Kurahara Honami
Subs: Fujimoto Yuki (Fukui Shihori, 73 mins), Marugata Rie (Takahashi Chizuru, 83 mins)
Unused subs: Inoue Miku, Misawa Chihiro, Nomura Haruka
Scorers: Ito Chisa (88 mins)
Booked: Doshita Misato, Kurahara Honami

Bunnys Kyoto SC:
Konno Mai, Akamine Mizuki, Saito Hitomi (capt), Akiyama Ryo, Kawano Maaya, Sawada Yuka, Yamamoto Yumi, Shibuya Yumiko, Matsuda Nozomi, Kushige Aoi, Oshima Sayuri
Subs: Yamaguchi Yurie (Oshima Sayuri, 76 mins), Yamashita Yu (Akiyama Ryo, 88 mins), Masuda Kasumi (Kushige Aoi, 90 mins)
Unused subs: Fuchibe Mami, Hanazaki Rena
Scorers: Shibuya Yumiko (40 mins), Kushige Aoi (74 mins)


Tokiwagi Gakuen High School  0 - 1  AS Harima Albion
(Attendance: 150)

Newly promoted AS Harima Albion sprung a surprise on last year's champions with a very controlled and dominant performance, in which Tokiwagi Gakuen were limited to just three shots at goal. Although missing Ichise and Kobayashi due to their playing in the U-17 World Cup, manager Abe Yoshiharu will surely have expected more from his more senior players. Appearing for the first time for Tokiwagi Gakuen were Ono Asuka in goal, Sasaki Yukina and Kobayashi Nanako. Of the Harima players, those who have previous league experience included Egami Narumi, Sakai Nozomi. Nakajima Chihiro and Murakawa Saki.

A sixth minute goal from Shirota Miki, one of the many Himeji Hinomoto College graduates in the side, was all that was needed for the Hyogo side to take all three points in their debut appearance at this level. They now face a second away game, again against schoolgirl opposition in the form of the JFA Academy Fukushima. Tokiawgi Gakuen will be very determined to win well against a weak Shimizu side to get their title defence up and running.

Tokiwagi Gakuen High School:
Ono Asuka, Kawasaki Saya, Matsukubo Akari, Sasaki Yukina, Kobayashi Nanako, Nishikawa Ayaka (capt), Mitsuhashi Asuka, Shiraki Akari, Kadowaki Shihomi, Doi Asuka, Sugihara Haruna
Subs: Iwaki Ayano (Mitsuhashi Asuka, HT), Arayashiki Sakina (Doi Asuka, 69 mins), Yagami Yuriya (Kadowaki Shihomi, 82 mins)
Unused subs: Suzuki Aguri, Takahashi Anna

AS Harima Albion:
Kirihata Kotono, Egami Narumi (capt), Nishiyama Emi, Kitagawa Wakana, Sakai Nozomi, Okajima Eri, Fujimoto Madoka, Nakajima Chihiro, Saito Manami, Shirota Miki, Murakawa Saki
Subs: Koyano Yuu (Nakajima Chihiro, 27 mins), Yamaguchi Saya (Nishiyama Emi, 57 mins)
Unused subs: Sugimoto Aoi, Sugiyama Yuka, Machida Akari
Scorers: Shirota Miki (6 mins)
Booked: Shirota Miki


JFA Academy Fukushima  2 - 3  Japan Soccer College Ladies
(Attendance: 120)

The JFA Academy Fukushima were another side missing key players at the U-17 World Cup, and the JSCL took full advantage and all three points. The visitors introduced only one new player, Nittaidai graduate Kudo Asami. For their part the Academy introduced no new players.

Tachibana Yo, who scored five times last season, scored the opener today on 26 minutes, but this was cancelled out by Kusakari Ayako from the penalty spot after Toriumi Mai was fouled in the area.

In the 74th minute the JSCL took the lead through Tadano Yuki, who celebrated her 18th birthday today. The lead only lasted two minutes, with the highly experienced Mizutani Yuki equalising. The JSCL were on top throughout the game and deservedly won the game in additional time with a goal from Takahashi Sakura.

This was the first time that the JSCL has won their opening game, and they will hope to continue their good form at home to Shizuoka Sangyo. The Academy are at home to AS Harima Albion.

JFA Academy Fukushima:
Hannah Stambaugh, Nakajo Yui, Hirata Mai, Moriya Miyabi, Takahira Miyu, Iseri Natsuki, Mizutani Yuki (capt), Ikeda Mao, Ibaraki Mitsuba, Tachibana Yo, Ueda Yuriko
Subs: Tsukamoto Natsuki (Ueda Yuriko, 65 mins), Akimoto Haruka (Iseri Natsuki, 76 mins), Yonei Honoka (Ikeda Mao, 89 mins)
Unused subs: Takahashi Fuko, Chiba Nanami
Scorers: Tachibana Yo (26 mins), Mizutani Yuki (76 mins)

Japan Soccer College Ladies:
Kawashima Kana, Hasegawa Mai, Takahashi Sakura, Kusakari Ayako, Sano Saki, Sakaguchi Yuki, Nomura Natsumi, Nakashima Ayaka, Toriumi Mai, Matsumoto Hotaru, Kudo Asami
Subs: Tadano Yuki (Hasegawa Mai, 56 mins), Ishibuchi Yuki (Matsumoto Hotaru, 60 mins), Iwasaki Manami (Nomura Natsumi, 72 mins)
Unused subs: Hamada Momoka, Toyota Yuri
Scorers: Kusakari Ayako (38 mins, pen), Tadano Yuki (74 mins), Takahashi Sakura (90+2 mins)


Sfida Setagaya FC  4 - 0  Shimizu Daihachi Pleiades
(Attendance: 734)

Sfida Setagaya were fully expected to dominate relegation favourites Shimizu Daihachi Pleiades but took their time in stamping their authority on the game. Their first goal came as early as the eleventh minute, Usuda Haruka latching on to a through pass from new player Sunoki Yurie. Sustained pressure didn't result in a second until the 64th minute, Tanaka Marina the scorer. Usuda had another ten minutes later and five minutes after that the towering Tanaka Mariko headed in a corner kick to complete the rout.

Setagaya face a far sterner challenge away to Nagano next Saturday in a match that will reveal much about both sides' promotion potential. Shimizu must hope Tokiwagi Gakuen are not at their best as they meet on Sunday morning.

Sfida Setagaya FC:
Kawamura Yuki, Fukuhara Nao, Tanaka Mariko, Tanaka Marina, Nagasawa Yume, Tomiyama Hitomi, Nagata Maya (capt), Usuda Haruka, Hasegawa Aoi, Sunoki Yurie, Nagasaki Akane
Subs: Kawashima Tamai (Nagasawa Yume, 55 mins), Shimojo Aya (Nagasaki Akane, 63 mins), Okada Ayame (Sunoki Yurie, 77 mins), Shano Miki (Hasegawa Aoi, 90 mins)
Unused subs: Ishino Himeka
Scorers: Usuda Haruka (11,  74 mins), Tanaka Marina (64 mins), Tanaka Mariko (79 mins)

Shimizu Daihachi Pleiades:
Maruyama Kimi, Baba Sayumi, Taniguchi Emi, Kawachi Erika, Kobayashi Natsumi, Miyagawa Tomoko, Sato Kaede, Kanashiro Wakana (capt), Yamaki Kotomi, Miura Kyoko, Kawasumi Saki
Subs: Oda Sayaka (Miyagawa Tomoko, HT), Hanabusa Misa (Kawasumi Saki, 73 mins), Inoue Yurie (Oda Sayaka, 86 mins), Matsushita Norimi (Sato Kaede, 86 mins), Hirukawa Mio (Kobayashi Natsumi, 88 mins)


Shizuoka Sangyo University Iwata Bonita  1 - 4  AC Nagano Parceiro Ladies
(Attendance: 246)

Nagano finished five places below Shizuoka Sangyo last season, and suffered a 4-1 away loss to the students in their only meeting. This season's first meeting was very different, as the Honda Midori revolution steps up a gear. Into the team have come the impressive Shigemasa Kai and Yokoyama Kumi, as well as goalkeeper Ikegaya Natsumi, Oshima Nozomi, Kanefuda Anzu and Yajima Yuki. Kanefuda graduated from Shizuoka Sangyo in March, and their new defenders were no match for the opposition.

AC Nagano Parceiro Ladies were formed after the then-JFL club took control of the team from Ohara Gakuen, and it was one of their players who opened the scoring in the sixth minute. A searching ball from Yoshida Aoi found Hamagaki through the middle and she smashed home past Shizuoka's new goalkeeper Inukai Ayano.

Shizuoka equalised on 28 minutes, Suzuki Rina scoring her first ever goal in her fortieth league appearance after good work from Kanno Mie. Five minutes before half-time, Yokoyama scored her first for the club and in the 56th minute she scored again to give Nagano breathing space. With 64 minutes on the clock Hashiura Satsuki, another of the Ohara Gakuen survivors, scored the fourth to give Nagano an emphatic victory, with Yokoyama this time the supplier.

Shizuoka travel to Niigata hoping to recover against the JSCL; for Nagano it's the first real test of their credentials as they take on Sfida Setagaya at home in Saku.

Shizuoka Sangyo University Iwata Bonita:
Inukai Ayano, Shiroshita Chinatsu, Nishiyama Mei, Nakase Akane, Ishida Risa, Kubota Mitsuki, Ogata Yurika, Suzuki Rina, Kanno Mie, Hirano Asami (capt), Oda Kanna
Subs: Watanabe Mayu (Kubota Mitsuki, 62 mins), Komagata Nana (Ishida Risa, 82 mins), Kuchiki Hikaru (Oda Kanna, 82 mins)
Unused subs: Maehara Ringo, Miyazaki Kaoru
Scorers: Suzuki Rina (28 mins)

AC Nagano Parceiro Ladies:
Ikegaya Natsumi, Tanaka Nami (capt), Oshima Nozomi, Kanefuda Anzu, Yajima Yuki, Yokoyama Kumi, Yoshida Aoi, Shigemasa Kai, Uchiyama Tomoka, Hamagaki Kana, Hashiura Satsuki
Subs: Uchiyama Tomoyo (Uchiyama Tomoka, HT), Shinohara Shihoko (Oshima Nozomi, 85 mins)
Unused subs: Unoki Mao, Urasaki Yuka, Nomoto Hanako
Scorers: Hamagaki Kana (6 mins), Yokoyama Kumi (40, 56 mins), Hashiura Satsuki (64 mins)