Challenge League Third Round

Nojima Stella Kanagawa Sagamihara  1 - 2  Nittaidai Football Club Ladies
(Attendance: 253)

Nojima fell to their first loss of the season, as local rivals Nittaidai retain their 100% record, again thanks to their third year forward Uemura Shoko, who scored with two minutes remaining after her side had dominated the scoring chances.

Nittaidai took the lead in the eleventh minute, Ishii Chiharu supplying Uemura for her fourth of the season, but Nojima equalised almost immediately through Inoue Yurie. Just as the match seemed to be headed towards a draw, Uemura snatched the winner, with Maeda Risa the supplier this time.

Nittaidai's explosive start to the season keeps them second, with the visit of the leaders Takatsuki next weekend likely to tell us a lot about each side's potential to win the title. Nojima are away to Ehime, with neither side able to afford another loss.

Nojima Stella Kanagawa Sagamihara:
Kobayashi Shiori, Terada Reiko, Yoshida Ayaka (capt), Kinjo Airi, Goto Maika, Yoshimi Natsuki, Omiya Reona, Nagasawa Madoka, Inoue Yurie, Minamino Arisa, Kanai Nanae
Subs: Kawarazaki Nozomi (Kinjo Airi, 78 mins)
Unused subs: Nanjo Masayo, Nishimura Atsumi, Oyama Saki, Saito Haruna
Scorers: Inoue Yurie (12 mins)
Booked: Yoshimi Natsuki, Kanai Nanae

Nittaidai Football Club Ladies:
Matsuda Kasumi, Sakurai Mayuka, Haza Hisui, Abe Rie, Oki Shiho, Ito Yukina (capt), Goto Ami, Enokidani Misaki, Ishii Chiharu, Maegami Eri, Uemura Shoko
Subs: Maeda Risa (Maegami Eri, 60 mins), Kojima Wakiko (Ito Yukina, 63 mins), Hirata Hikari (Uemura Shoko, 90 mins)
Unused subs: Mihara Kaho, Yamakawa Natsuki
Scorers: Uemura Shoko (11, 88 mins)
Booked: Sakurai Mayuka


Speranza FC Osaka Takatsuki  5 - 0  Bunnys Kyoto SC
(Attendance: 425)

As expected, Takatsuki had far too much for their neighbours Bunnys Kyoto and by half-time their 3-0 lead had already won them the game. An early own goal set things up for the home side, followed by Saito Toshiko's first two goals of the season six minutes apart.

In the second half Shimamura Yuko and Hazuki Yuki added two more to move Takatsuki to the top of the table on goal difference. Bunnys' opening day victory already seems in the distant past, and they'll hope for better against another local rival, Cerezo Osaka Sakai Ladies on Sunday. Takatsuki go to Nittaidai who are behind only on goal difference.

Speranza FC Osaka Takatsuki:
Ono Maya, Tsuboi Ayako, Hatanaka Miyuka, Akiba Yumeko, Shimamura Yuko, Narumiya Yui, Torao Naomi, Saito Toshiko, Hazuki Yuki, Sato Kaede (capt), Maruyama Karina
Subs: Yoshimura Midori (Torao Naomi, 60 mins), Horiuchi Sayaka (Saito Toshiko, 67 mins), Hirano Satoko (Tsuboi Ayako, 72 mins), Ishikawa Yuu (Maruyama Karina, 88 mins)
Unused subs: Gocho Misaki
Scorers: Own Goal (7 mins), Saito Toshiko (30, 36 mins), Shimamura Yuko (53 mins), Hazuki Yuki (55 mins)
Booked: Torao Naomi, Maruyama Karina, Akiba Yumeko

Bunnys Kyoto SC:
Konno Mai, Akamine Mizuki, Saito Hitomi (capt), Akiyama Ryo, Kawano Maaya, Shibuya Yumiko, Yamamoto Yumi, Sawada Yuka, Matsuda Nozomi, Kushige Aoi, Oshima Sayuri
Subs: Yamashita Yu (Kawano Maaya, HT), Hanazaki Rena (Shibuya Yumiko, 69 mins), Yamaguchi Yurie (Oshima Sayuri, 78 mins), Fuchibe Mami (Akiyama Ryo, 85 mins)


Ange Violet Hiroshima  4 - 2  Cerezo Osaka Sakai Ladies
(Attendance: 1,079)

A fine turnout of over 1,000 spectators were on hand to witness Ange Violet's first home game in the league and they were treated to an exciting game. Ange Violet took the lead through Ichikawa Sonoka, their first of the season. Cerezo Osaka equalised on 26 minutes, Tamazakura Kotono with her second in three games. Ange Violet retook the lead three minutes later, this time for good, Mizuno Yuri the scorer.

In the second half Nittaidai graduate Yamagata Hisami headed in from a corner kick to make it 3-1 before Cerezo made it tight again with seven minutes remaining, Nojima Sakura this time. Cerezo's comeback didn't materialise, and in the final minute substitute Katsurama Fumina made sure with Ange Violet's fourth and final goal.

Ange Violet travel the relatively short journey west to Fukuoka to face an Anclas side in serious disarray, while Cerezo look to pick up their first points against Bunnys Kyoto, another side expected to struggle at the bottom.

Ange Violet Hiroshima:
Uetani Kumiko, Konishi Natsuki, Yamashita Kurumi, Tanaka Ayako (capt), Kitagawa Kana, Mizuno Yuri, Yamagata Hisami, Takeda Yuki, Ichikawa Sonoka, Saihara Mizuki, Enya Mari
Subs: Katsurama Fumina (Ichikawa Sonoka, 88 mins)
Unused subs: Kameda Megumi, Yamashita Mayumi, Akagi Yui, Uozumi Arisa
Scorers: Ichikawa Sonoka (14 mins), Mizuno Yuri (29 mins), Yamagata Hisami (66 mins), Katsurama Fumina (90 mins)
Booked: Tanaka Ayako

Cerezo Osaka Sakai Ladies:
Fukunaga Erika, Fujiwara Nodoka, Wakisaka Reina, Azuma Manami, Morinaka Hina, Hayashi Honoka, Furusawa Rui, Nojima Sakura, Nishida Meika (capt), Maegawa Miki, Tamazakura Kotono
Subs: Katsuoka Miyu (Azuma Manami, HT), Takarada Saori (Tamazakura Kotono, HT), Matsubara Shiho (Furusawa Rui, HT), Tanaka Mika (Fujiwara Nodoka, 71 mins)
Unused subs: Nishinaka Maho
Scorers: Tamazakura Kotono (26 mins), Nojima Sakura (83 mins)


Fukuoka J. Anclas  0 - 2  Ehime FC Ladies
(Attendance: 226)

A welcome victory for Ehime on their travels against a Fukuoka side looking increasingly forlorn. Kushiyama Saki scored the first for the visitors on sixteen minutes, and although Fukuoka had more of the chances, it was Ehime who took all three points, sealed with an 80th minute goal from substitute Tagami Natsumi.

Having disappointingly lost their opening game, Ehime now have won two in a row and are moving up the table. They're next match is at home to Nojima, also on six points. The increasingly desperate Fukuoka must try to get all three points from their first match against newly promoted Ange Violet Hiroshima.

Fukuoka J. Anclas:
Shimada Megumi, Yanagita Shiori, Hanada Aiko, Ito Chisa, Fujisawa Marin, Doi Narumi, Doshita Misato, Yoshizawa Ai, Takahashi Chizuru, Fukui Shihori, Marugata Rie
Subs: Fujimoto Yuki (Takahashi Chizuru, 86 mins)
Unused subs: Inoue Miku, Misawa Chihiro

Ehime FC Ladies:
Ueno Yukiko, Iwamoto Yuka, Kamata Ran, Nishimura Nozomi, Haruyama Saori, Yamashiro Miyuki, Watai Shiori, Ogawa Manami, Kushiyama Saki, Akune Mana, Nishigawa Sayumi (capt)
Subs: Tagami Natsumi (Ogawa Manami, 77 mins), Taketa Natsumi (Iwamoto Yuka, 90 mins), Niwa Mizuho (Kushiyama Saki, 90 mins)
Unused subs: Osako Hanako, Yamada Maya
Scorers: Kushiyama Saki (16 mins), Tagami Natsumi (80 mins)
Booked: Haruyama Saori, Tagami Natsumi


Tokiwagi Gakuen High School  3 - 1  AC Nagano Parceiro Ladies
(Attendance: 100)

Nagano's promotion challenge has faltered early in the season, and their failure to take even a point back from their trip to Miyagi will have hurt them.

Shiraki Akari followed up on her brace from last week to open the scoring in the eleventh minute but Nagano soon equalised, with Yokoyama Kumi getting her fourth of the season. Things looked even throughout the game, though Nagano did exert more pressure on the Tokiwagi goal than their opponents on theirs.

With two minutes remaining, Tokiwagi snatched the points, Sugihara Haruna scoring with an assist from Kobayashi Rikako, and Kobayashi was again involved moments later in additional time when Sugihara scored again to put the tie to rest.

Nagano will surely have enough to beat manager Honda Midori's old side Shimizu next Sunday, to take them onto seven points and with the leaders still in touch. Tokiwagi Gakuen made the trip to the west coast when they take on the Japan Soccer College Ladies in Shibata.

Tokiwagi Gakuen High School:
Ono Asuka, Kawasaki Saya, Matsukubo Akari, Sasaki Yukina, Asari Iku, Nishikawa Ayaka (capt), Ichise Nana, Sugihara Haruna, Shiraki Akari, Kadowaki Shihomi, Kobayashi Rikako
Subs: Iwaki Ayano (Kadowaki Shihomi, HT)
Unused subs: Mitsuhashi Asuka, Fujino Suzuka, Genseki Kiyoka, Suzuki Aguri
Scorers: Shiraki Akari (11 mins), Sugihara Haruna (88, 90+2 mins)

AC Nagano Parceiro Ladies:
Ikegaya Natsumi, Kanefuda Anzu, Oshima Nozomi, Tanaka Nami (capt), Yajima Yuki, Yokoyama Kumi, Yoshida Aoi, Hamagaki Kana, Shigemasa Kai, Hashiura Satsuki, Uchiyama Tomoyo
Subs: Urasaki Yuka (Hamagaki Kana, 53 mins), Uchiyama Tomoka (Yoshida Aoi, 90 mins)
Unused subs: Unoki Mao, Shinohara Shihoko, Nomoto Hanako
Scorers: Yokoyama Kumi (15 mins)
Booked: Kanefuda Anzu


AS Harima Albion  1 - 0  Shimizu Daihachi Pleiades
(Attendance: 1,300)

AS Harima Albion's remarkable start to their first season continues, with an estimated 1,300 spectators attracted to see their opening home game. For the third consecutive game, the home side won by a 1-0 scoreline as they retain their perfect record. Although far superior to their opposition, it wasn't until the 59th minute that they scored with their most senior player, Fujimoto Madoka, finishing off a move involving former Charme player Murakawa Saki and former Belle player Sakai Nozomi.

Harima are away again next week, against the struggling Shizuoka Sangyo. Shimizu travel to Nagano hoping to escape with a draw.

AS Harima Albion:
Kirihata Kotono, Egami Narumi (capt), Kitagawa Wakana, Yamaguchi Saya, Sakai Nozomi, Koyano Yuu, Okajima Eri, Fujimoto Madoka, Saito Manami, Shirota Miki, Murakawa Saki
Subs: Minami Chiho (Kitagawa Wakana, 77 mins), Sugiyama Yuka (Okajima Eri, 82 mins)
Unused subs: Sugimoto Aoi, Imai Mayura, Machida Akari
Scorers: Fujimoto Madoka (59 mins)

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


Sfida Setagaya FC  4 - 1  Japan Soccer College Ladies
(Attendance: 381)

A fully expected win over the JSCL sees Setagaya keep their unbeaten record, two points behind leaders Takatsuki. Nagata Maya and Sunoki Yurie both scored in the first half, with Tanaka Marina and Sunoki - with her second - adding two more in the second half to make it a very relaxing afternoon for the supporters in Tokyo Bay. A late goal from Tadano Yuki, her second  in three appearance as a substitute was small consolation for the JSCL.

The JSCL are at home next weekend to champions Tokiwagi Gakuen; Setagaya play another schoolgirl team, the JFA Academy, in Shizuoka.

Sfida Setagaya FC:
Kawamura Yuki, Fukuhara Nao, Tanaka Mariko, Tanaka Marina, Nagasawa Yume, Kawashima Tamai, Nagata Maya (capt), Tomiyama Hitomi, Usuda Haruka, Sunoki Yurie, Shimojo Aya
Subs: Hasegawa Aoi (Nagata Maya, 68 mins), Nagasaki Akane (Tomiyama Hitomi, 68 mins), Okada Ayame (Shimojo Aya, 79 mins), Shano Miki (Usuda Haruka, 88 mins)
Unused subs: Ishino Himeka
Scorers: Nagata Maya (25 mins), Sunoki Yurie (34, 67 mins), Tanaka Marina (63 mins, pen)

Japan Soccer College Ladies:
Kawashima Kana, Kikuchi Ruri, Takahashi Sakura, Kusakari Ayako (capt), Sano Saki, Sakaguchi Yuki, Otomo Chinatsu, Matsumoto Hotaru, Nakashima Ayaka, Toriumi Mai, Kudo Asami
Subs: Iwasaki Manami (Kikuchi Ruri, HT), Ishibuchi Yuki (Matsumoto Hotaru, 58 mins), Tadano Yuki (Otomo Chinatsu, 67 mins)
Unused subs: Endo Honami, Nomura Natsumi
Scorers: Tadano Yuki (79 mins)
Booked: Kusakari Ayako


Shizuoka Sangyo University Iwata Bonita  1 - 2  JFA Academy Fukushima
(Attendance: 113)

Shizuoka Sangyo's hopes of promotion have been dealt another serious blow, as the JFA Academy took full advantage of defensive indiscipline to pick up their first points of the season.

The match had started well for Shizuoka Sangyo, and they took the lead after 24 minutes, Oda Kanna scoring from an assist by Hirano Asami. However, their attack was stifled thereafter, and they produced no shots at goal in the second half as the Academy took over.

The match turned with ten minutes remaining. The Academy were awarded a penalty and Shizuoka defender Nishiyama Mei was sent off. Okuma Rana scored the equaliser and with Shizuoka now in disarray the visitors took full advantage, with Okuma supplying Kitagawa Hikaru for the winning goal two minutes later.

Shizuoka Sangyo will be determined to recover well against high-flying Harima, with the JFA Academy also at home, to Sfida Setagaya.

Shizuoka Sangyo University Iwata Bonita:
Inukai Ayano, Shiroshita Chinatsu, Nishiyama Mei, Nakase Akane, Ishida Risa, Kuchiki Hikaru, Ogata Yurika, Kubota Mitsuki, Kanno Mie, Hirano Asami (capt), Oda Kanna
Subs: Kamio Ayano (Kuchiki Hikaru, 66 mins), Miyazaki Kaoru (Shiroshita Chinatsu, 72 mins), Niimuma Rina (Kanno Mie, 88 mins)
Unused subs: Nakai Hoko, Atsumi Yuka
Scorers: Oda Kanna (24 mins)
Booked: Oda Kanna
Sent off: Nishiyama Mei

JFA Academy Fukushima:
Asano Natsumi, Moriya Miyabi, Hashinuma Maho, Kojima Miku (capt), Kitagawa Hikaru, Hirata Mai, Mizutani Yuki, Ibaraki Mitsuba, Nakajo Yui, Tachibana Yo, Okuma Rana
Subs: Takahira Miyu (Tachibana Yo, 73 mins), Morita Umi (Ibaraki Mitsuba, 84 mins), Akimoto Haruka (Nakajo Yui, 90+2 mins), Ueda Yuriko (Kitagawa Hikaru, 90+2 mins)
Unused subs: Takahashi Fuko
Scorers: Okuma Rana (81 mins, pen), Kitagawa Hikaru (83 mins)