Challenge League Seventh Round

Nittaidai Football Club Ladies  3 - 1  Ange Violet Hiroshima
(Attendance: 107)

Nittaidai came from a goal down at half-time to storm back in the final seventeen minutes to turn the tie around and move further clear at the top of the table.

Ange Violet had taken the lead on eleven minutes through Ichikawa Sonoka, who scored her third goal of the season, the highest total of any Hiroshima player.

Nittaidai have been very solid at the back this season, and are always dangerous at the other end, so it was no surprise that they eventually equalised, Kojima Wakiko with a powerful long-range strike to open her account in her first league season. Six minutes later the home side were in front, with another first year student, Yamakawa Natsuki, scoring her maiden goal in her fourth appearance off the bench.

Finally Hirata Hikari, yet another first year student but one with considerably more league experience, rounded off the win seconds before the end.

Nittaidai next face the JFA Academy in their only meeting this season next weekend in Gotenba as the league enters the inter-block phase of the season. Ange Violet Hiroshima also travel to Shizuoka, as they take on the struggling Shimizu and will expect to take home all three points.

Nittaidai Football Club Ladies:
Inoue Nene, Sakurai Mayuka, Haza Hisui, Abe Rie, Oki Shiho, Nozu Erika, Goto Ami, Kojima Wakiko, Kitano Rie, Uemura Shoko, Maegami Eri (capt)
Subs: Yamakawa Natsuki (Kitano Rie, 68 mins), Hirata Hikari (Maegami Eri, 76 mins)
Unused subs: Yamamoto Arisa, Nagashima Hikari, Enokidani Misaki
Scorers: Kojima Wakiko (73 mins), Yamakawa Natsuki (79 mins), Hirata Hikari (90+2 mins)

Ange Violet Hiroshima:
Uetani Kumiko, Kitagawa Kana, Yamashita Kurumi, Tanaka Ayako (capt), Konishi Natsuki, Katsurama Fumina, Yamagata Hisami, Ichikawa Sonoka, Takeda Yuki, Mizuno Yuri, Enya Mari
Subs: Saihara Mizuki (Katsurama Fumina, 86 mins)
Unused subs: Kameda Megumi, Yamashita Mayumi, Tokoro Yuka, Akagi Yui
Scorers: Ichikawa Sonoka (11 mins)


Nojima Stella Kanagawa Sagamihara  1 - 2  Speranza FC Osaka Takatsuki
(Attendance: 408)

Nojima Stella Kanagawa Sagamihara find themselves struggling to keep pace with the league's leading sides and have now lost three of their opening seven games. Takatsuki, second on goal difference, took the lead on thirty minutes through Tsuboi Ayako, only the third goal of her career. The home side equalised nine minutes later, Yoshida Ayaka heading in Yoshimi's corner kick. It looked as if the points would be shared until the same pattern was repeated but for this time in favour of the visitors, Torao's corner kick headed in by Sato Kaede for her third of the season.

Nojima travel to Miyagi to play Tokiwagi Gakuen, against whom they suffered a heavy 6-1 defeat last season. Takatsuki are away to Harima.

Nojima Stella Kanagawa Sagamihara:
Kobayashi Shiori, Terada Reiko, Yoshida Ayaka, Kinjo Airi, Goto Maika, Yoshimi Natsuki, Omiya Reona, Nagasawa Madoka, Oyama Saki (capt), Minamino Arisa, Kanai Nanae
Subs: Kawarazaki Nozomi (Nagasawa Madoka, 85 mins)
Unused subs: Nanjo Masayo, Nishimura Atsumi, Inoue Yurie, Saito Haruna
Scorers: Yoshida Ayaka (39 mins)
Booked: Nagasawa Madoka

Speranza FC Osaka Takatsuki:
Ono Maya, Shimamura Yuko, Hatanaka Miyuka, Akiba Yumeko, Ikeda Asumi, Torao Naomi, Narumiya Yui, Tsuboi Ayako, Horiuchi Sayaka, Sato Kaede (capt), Hazuki Yuki
Subs: Takatani Misato (Ikeda Asumi, 81 mins)
Unused subs: Gocho Misaki, Yoshioka Haruka, Yoshimura Midori, Toyama Sayuri
Scorers: Tsuboi Ayako (30 mins), Sato Kaede (90+1 mins)


Ehime FC Ladies  0 - 0  Bunnys Kyoto SC
(Attendance: 300)

A goalless draw that keeps both sides steady in mid-table. Ehime did more of the attacking and their inaccuracy in front of goal cost them. Next week Ehime travel to Shizuoka to play another struggling side, Shizuoka Sangyo; Bunnys travel to Niigata to play the JSCL, who trail them by three points.

Ehime FC Ladies:
Osako Hanako, Kushiyama Saki, Kamata Ran, Nishimura Nozomi, Kariya Maiko, Watai Shiori, Yamashiro Miyuki, Nishigawa Sayumi (capt), Ogawa Manami, Haruyama Saori, Akune Mana
Subs: Oya Ayumi (Ogawa Manami, 61 mins), Tagami Natsumi (Kushiyama Saki, 67 mins), Iwamoto Yuka (Nishimura Nozomi, 81 mins)
Unused subs: Ueno Yukiko, Taketa Natsumi

Bunnys Kyoto SC:
Konno Mai, Akamine Mizuki, Saito Hitomi (capt), Yamamoto Yumi, Akiyama Ryo, Shibuya Yumiko, Sawada Yuka, Matsuda Nozomi, Kawano Maaya, Hanazaki Rena, Yamaguchi Yurie
Subs: Yamashita Yu (Yamaguchi Yurie, 29 mins), Fuchibe Mami (Yamashita Yu, 83 mins)
Unused subs: Masuda Kasumi


Fukuoka J. Anclas  3 - 2  Cerezo Osaka Sakai Ladies
(Attendance: 384)

Fukuoka J. Anclas have won their third successive game by a single goal and move into mid-table, though are some way off the promotion places. They took the lead in the sixth minute, Doshita Misato scoring directly from a free kick.

Cerezo Osaka have lost all of their games to date, but always fight well and in the second half came back strongly and two goals from substitute Nojima Sakura gave them the lead with fifteen minutes remaining.

The lead lasted only a minute, Fukuoka pressure and Cerezo's failure to clear led to an own goal, and in the 89th minute the away side were to suffer another devastating loss, with Takahashi Chizuru scoring her first of the season to win the game.

Cerezo Osaka travel to Saku to play a Nagano side fully determined to beat them, with Fukuoka looking to continue their revival in Setagaya.

Fukuoka J. Anclas:
Shimada Megumi, Yanagita Shiori, Hanada Aiko (capt), Ito Chisa, Fujisawa Marin, Ukita Kotone, Doi Narumi, Doshita Misato, Fukui Shihori, Fujimoto Yuki, Marugata Rie
Subs: Yoshizawa Ai (Doi Narumi, 64 mins), Takahashi Chizuru (Marugata Rie, 64 mins)
Unused subs: Kishi Hoshimi, Inoue Miku, Misawa Chihiro
Scorers: Doshita Misato (6 mins), Own Goal (76 mins), Takahashi Chizuru (89 mins)

Cerezo Osaka Sakai Ladies:
Fukunaga Erika, Hashimitsu Kyoka, Wakisaka Reina, Takarada Saori, Morinaka Hina, Furusawa Rui, Hayashi Honoka, Yakata Miyu, Nishida Meika (capt), Maegawa Miki, Matsubara Shiho
Subs: Nojima Sakura (Furusawa Rui, 62 mins), Tamazakura Kotono (Yakata Miyu, 66 mins), Katsuoka Miyu (Hashimitsu Kyoka, 90+2 mins)
Unused subs: Nishinaka Maho, Fujiwara Nodoka
Scorers: Nojima Sakura (68, 75 mins)
Booked: Matsubara Shiho


Japan Soccer College Ladies  0 - 2  AS Harima Albion
(Attendance: 132)

Shirota Miki scored a goal in each half and with Harima's defence impressive again, they were enough to secure yet another win in the Himeji side's debut season. After a promising start, the JSCL have continued to slide down the table.

The JSCL host Bunnys next Sunday, with Harima taking on Takatsuki who are ahead of them only on goal difference.

Japan Soccer College Ladies:
Kawashima Kana, Nomura Natsumi, Yukita Rui, Kusakari Ayako (capt), Sano Saki, Takahashi Sakura, Sakaguchi Yuki, Kudo Asami, Iwasaki Manami, Toriumi Mai, Nakashima Ayaka
Subs: Ishibuchi Yuki (Nakashima Ayaka, 67 mins)
Unused subs: Endo Honami, Honda Suzuno, Yoneda Saki, Toyota Yuri

AS Harima Albion:
Kirihata Kotono, Egami Narumi (capt), Nishiyama Emi, Kitagawa Wakana, Sakai Nozomi, Fujimoto Madoka, Nakajima Chihiro, Okajima Eri, Shirota Miki, Chiba Sonoko, Koyano Yuu
Subs: Saito Manami (Koyano Yuu, 40 mins), Murakawa Saki (Nakajima Chihiro, 56 mins), Hasatani Toko (Shirota Miki, 90+1 mins)
Unused subs: Sugimoto Aoi, Nakatsuka Rika
Scorers: Shirota Miki (42, 68 mins)


Sfida Setagaya FC  1 - 1  Tokiwagi Gakuen High School
(Attendance: 292)

A Shiraki Akari goal with eighteen minutes remaining rescued a point for Tokiwagi Gakuen against a side which they beat twice last season - a significant factor in Setagaya failing to gain promotion.

Shimojo Aya, who scored nineteen goals last season, scored her second of this to give Setagaya the lead as early as the fifth minute, but Tokiwagi were far stronger and following a relentless assault on the Setagaya goal finally converted one of their many chances to take home a point as they remain in the top half.

Tokiwagi Gakuen welcome Nojima Stella for their only meeting this season next weekend, similarly Setagaya face a must-win home game against Fukuoka J. Anclas.

Sfida Setagaya FC:
Kawamura Yuki, Fukuhara Nao, Kawashima Tamai, Tanaka Marina, Sunoki Yurie, Tanaka Mariko, Nagata Maya (capt), Shimojo Aya, Hasegawa Aoi, Usuda Haruka, Nagasawa Yume
Subs: Nakaoka Momoko (Shimojo Aya, HT), Kuwahara Yoshie (Nakaoka Momoko, 76 mins), Hayashi Reika (Nagata Maya, 76 mins), Nagasaki Akane (Usuda Haruka, 76 mins)
Unused subs: Ishino Himeka
Scorers: Shimojo Aya (5 mins)

Tokiwagi Gakuen High School:
Ono Asuka, Kawasaki Saya, Matsukubo Akari, Ichise Nana, Asari Iku, Nishikawa Ayaka (capt), Sasaki Yukina, Sugihara Haruna, Shiraki Akari, Kadowaki Shihomi, Kobayashi Rikako
Subs: Genseki Kiyoka (Asari Iku, HT), Iwaki Ayano (Kadowaki Shihomi, 41 mins), Mitsuhashi Asuka (Sugihara Haruna, 86 mins), Fujino Suzuka (Sasaki Yukina, 87 mins)
Unused subs: Suzuki Aguri
Scorers: Shiraki Akari (72 mins)


Shizuoka Sangyo University Iwata Bonita  2 - 1  Shimizu Daihachi Pleiades
(Attendance: 158)

Shizuoka Sangyo University held on to secure just their second win of the season while condemning local neighbours Shimizu to their sixth defeat. Kubota Mitsuki and Hirano Asami scored in either half to give the students a two-goal lead before Yamaki Kotomi gave Shimizu hope with an 83rd-minute strike, but there was to be no comeback and the home side deservedly held on for all three points.

Shizuoka Sangyo's promotion chances are very slim, and they will certainly need to beat Ehime next weekend to have any chance. Shimizu are facing a relegation play-off at the end of the season even at this early stage. They host Ange Violet Hiroshima.

Shizuoka Sangyo University Iwata Bonita:
Inukai Ayano, Nishiyama Mei, Nakase Akane, Ogata Yurika, Ishida Risa, Shiroshita Chinatsu, Suzuki Rina, Hirano Asami (capt), Kubota Mitsuki, Oda Kanna, Shimamura Kumiko
Subs: Atsumi Yuka (Shimamura Kumiko, 63 mins)
Unused subs: Maehara Ringo, Kitaoka Chiaki, Takahata Airi, Miyazaki Kaoru
Scorers: Kubota Mitsuki (36 mins), Hirano Asami (73 mins)
Booked: Shiroshita Chinatsu, Hirano Asami

Shimizu Daihachi Pleiades:
Maruyama Kimi, Kobayashi Natsumi, Kawachi Erika, Oda Sayaka, Hanabusa Misa, Miyagawa Tomoko, Kanashiro Wakana (capt), Matsushita Norimi, Yamaki Kotomi, Miura Kyoko, Kawasumi Saki
Subs: Sato Kaede (Kawasumi Saki, HT), Hirukawa Mio (Matsushita Norimi, 63 mins), Baba Sayumi (Miyagawa Tomoko, 77 mins), Taniguchi Emi (Kawachi Erika, 84 mins)
Unused subs: Inoue Yurie
Scorers: Yamaki Kotomi (83 mins)


JFA Academy Fukushima  2 - 0  AC Nagano Parceiro Ladies
(Attendance: 127)

Nagano's recent run of good form which saw them reach second in the table was stopped in dramatic fashion by the JFA Academy, who brought back their top team following a break to allow the younger players a chance last weekend.

Tachibana Yo has had a good start to the season, and she opened the scoring in the 21st minute, taking a pass through the middle from Hashinuma Maho before planting the ball home. The Academy's second goal came seventeen minutes from time, with Nagano desperately seeking an equaliser. Again the ball came down the middle of the field, Okuma Rana scoring off a Kitagawa Hikaru through ball, though she did have some work to do before she could claim her second goal of the season.

The Academy next host leaders Nittaidai in Gotenba; Nagano will fully expect to win at home against bottom side Cerezo Osaka Sakai Ladies.

JFA Academy Fukushima:
Hirao Chika, Moriya Miyabi, Hashinuma Maho, Kojima Miku (capt), Kitagawa Hikaru, Hirata Mai, Takahashi Fuko, Mizutani Yuki, Ibaraki Mitsuba, Okuma Rana, Tachibana Yo
Subs: Takahira Miyu (Takahashi Fuko, 52 mins), Morita Umi (Ibaraki Mitsuba, 74 mins), Nakajo Yui (Tachibana Yo, 82 mins)
Unused subs: Asano Natsumi, Ueda Yuriko
Scorers: Tachibana Yo (21 mins), Okuma Rana (73 mins)
Booked: Okuma Rana

AC Nagano Parceiro Ladies:
Ikegaya Natsumi, Oshima Nozomi, Tanaka Nami (capt), Yajima Yuki, Shinohara Shihoko, Yoshida Aoi, Uchiyama Tomoyo, Shigemasa Kai, Hamagaki Kana, Hashiura Satsuki, Yokoyama Kumi
Subs: Kanefuda Anzu (Shinohara Shihoko, 55 mins), Hatano Saki (Hamagaki Kana, 71 mins)
Unused subs: Wada Makoto, Uchiyama Tomoka, Urasaki Yuka
Booked: Yajima Yuki