Challenge League Twentieth Round

JFA Academy Fukushima  3 - 1  Tokiwagi Gakuen High School
(Attendance: 108)

The JFA Academy overcame Tokiwagi Gakuen for the second time this season today, on the occasion of their only match in Fukushima this year. The Academy is now five points ahead of Tokiwagi Gakuen and should remain in the top seven for the remainder of the season.

Tachibana Yo opened the scoring very early on, netting her fifth of the season within two minutes, and the Academy went two goals up after sixteen minutes, Okuma Rana moving onto nine for this season as the Academy held the lead comfortably until half-time.

Kobayashi Rikako has been on a superb run lately and she scored her sixth goal in five games to bring Tokiwagi within touching distance with fifteen minutes to play, but the recovery was short-lived as Moriya Miyabi, who scored the only goal in the first match between these two sides this season, scored five minutes later to secure the game for the JFA Academy.

Both sides play Shiuzoka opposition next, Tokiwagi Gakuen are away to Shizuoka Sangyo University and the JFA Academy is at home to Shimizu Daihachi Pleiades.

JFA Academy Fukushima:
Asano Natsumi, Nakajo Yui, Hashinuma Maho, Kitagawa Hikaru, Morita Umi, Hirata Mai, Tachibana Yo, Mizutani Yuki (capt), Moriya Miyabi, Okuma Rana, Ibaraki Mitsuba
Subs: Akimoto Haruka (Ibaraki Mitsuba, 74 mins), Ueda Yuriko (Morita Umi, 89 mins)
Unused subs: Hannah Stambaugh, Takahashi Fuko, Ikeda Mao
Scorers: Tachibana Yo (2 mins), Okuma Rana (16 mins), Moriya Miyabi (80 mins)

Tokiwagi Gakuen High School:
Ono Asuka, Genseki Kiyoka, Matsukubo Akari, Sasaki Yukina, Kawasaki Saya, Nishikawa Ayaka, Ichise Nana, Sugihara Haruna, Takahashi Anna, Shiraki Akari, Kobayashi Rikako
Subs: Iwaki Ayano (Takahashi Anna, HT), Kobayashi Nanako (Shiraki Akari, 77 mins), Komori Aoi (Kobayashi Rikako, 89 mins)
Unused subs: Fujino Suzuka, Mitsuhashi Asuka
Scorers: Kobayashi Rikako (75 mins)
Booked: Takahashi Anna


AC Nagano Parceiro Ladies  1 - 4  AS Harima Albion
(Attendance: 238)

Harima's biggest win of their debut season saw them move four points clear of the vanquished Nagano and a top four finish looks well within their grasp.

Harima scored twice in the first half from corner kicks, the first on eight minutes from Chiba Sonoko and the second from Sakai Nozomi, her second goal of this season and indeed of her career. It was Sakai who supplied the first goal and she was at it again five minutes into the second half when she supplied Chiba for her second of the game. Chiba has now scored six goals and is Harima's top scorer.

The league's top scorer is Yokoyama Kumi and she put away her twenty-seventh on 77 minutes to give Nagano a glimmer of hope, but they were unable to again breach the away defence and Nakajima Chihiro scored their fourth as the game entered additional time.

Both teams next play on the 26th, Nagano against the JSCL and Harima against Setagaya.

AC Nagano Parceiro Ladies:
Ikegaya Natsumi, Tanaka Nami (capt), Oshima Nozomi, Yajima Yuki, Urasaki Yuka, Makii Kasane, Kunisawa Shino, Uchiyama Tomoyo, Hamagaki Kana, Yokoyama Kumi, Hashiura Satsuki
Subs: Ichikawa Manayuki (Makii Kasane, 61 mins), Uchiyama Tomoka (Hamagaki Kana, 76 mins)
Unused subs: Unoki Mao, Yoshida Aoi, Aoshima Miyabi
Scorers: Yokoyama Kumi (77 mins)

AS Harima Albion:
Kirihata Kotono, Kitagawa Wakana, Nishiyama Emi, Fujimoto Madoka (capt), Sakai Nozomi, Okajima Eri, Nakajima Chihiro, Koyano Yuu, Shirota Miki, Chiba Sonoko, Murakawa Saki
Subs: Saito Manami (Koyano Yuu, 60 mins), Momii Mika (Murakawa Saki, 68 mins)
Unused subs: Sugimoto Aoi, Yamaguchi Saya, Hasatani Toko
Scorers: Chiba Sonoko (8, 50 mins), Sakai Nozomi (45+2 mins), Nakajima Chihiro (90 mins)


Japan Soccer College Ladies  3 - 1  Shimizu Daihachi Pleiades
(Attendance: 85)

Two late goals from Toriumi Mai and Ishibuchi Yuki secured three points for the JSCL and guaranteed that they will not face a relegation play-off at the end of the season.

Kudo Asami had given the JSCL the lead in the tenth minute, following good work from Kusakari and Sano, though the home side couldn't find another and veteran Miura Kyoko equalised for Shimizu Daihachi in the 66th minte, heading home a Kanashiro free kick.

With time running out the hosts finally found a second and then a third goal to reflect their superiority in this match. Toriumi's fourth in five games restored the lead, with the final goal from Ishibuchi coming three minutes into stoppage time.

The JSCL play Nagano on the 26th, with Shimizu making the short trip to Gotenba to play the JFA Academy.

Japan Soccer College Ladies:
Kawashima Kana, Nomura Natsumi, Takahashi Sakura, Kusakari Ayako (capt), Sano Saki, Yoneda Saki, Sakaguchi Yuki, Nakashima Ayaka, Iwasaki Manami, Toriumi Mai, Kudo Asami
Subs: Tadano Yuki (Nakashima Ayaka, 69 mins), Ishibuchi Yuki (Yoneda Saki, 80 mins)
Unused subs: Komatsu Akane, Kikuchi Ruri, Fukumoto Junko
Scorers: Kudo Asami (10 mins), Toriumi Mai (89 mins), Ishibuchi Yuki (90+3 mins)

Shimizu Daihachi Pleiades:
Maruyama Kimi, Kobayashi Natsumi, Taniguchi Emi, Oda Sayaka, Hirukawa Mio, Miyagawa Tomoko, Kanashiro Wakana (capt), Sato Kaede, Yamaki Kotomi, Kawachi Erika, Baba Sayumi
Subs: Miura Kyoko (Kawachi Erika, 56 mins), Inoue Yurie (Taniguchi Emi, 67 mins), Matsushita Norimi (Sato Kaede, 78 mins)
Scorers: Miura Kyoko (66 mins)


Ehime FC Ladies  0 - 1  Speranza FC Osaka Takatsuki
(Attendance: 72)

This game was played on October 1st

Takatsuki took another step back towards the top division with a slender win over Ehime at lunchtime today, with young Hazuki Yuki again scoring the decisive goal early in the match, her tenth of this, her second league season.

Takatsuki now have a break until the final weekend, when they play Nojima. That game will determine which of the two go up automatically, and which of the two win the Challenge League. Ehime next play Cerezo Osaka on October 26th.

Ehime FC Ladies:
Ueno Yukiko, Kamata Ran, Nishimura Nozomi, Nishigawa Sayumi, Kushiyama Saki (capt), Iwamoto Yuka, Yamashiro Miyuki, Watai Shiori, Ogawa Manami, Akune Mana, Haruyama Saori
Subs: Tagami Natsumi (Ogawa Manami, 70 mins)
Unused subs: Osako Hanako, Mukaidani Ayaka, Yamada Maya, Niwa Mizuho
Booked: Nishimura Nozomi, Akune Mana

Speranza FC Osaka Takatsuki:
Ono Maya, Tsuboi Ayako, Hatanaka Miyuka, Akiba Yumeko, Hirano Satoko, Sato Kaede (capt), Narumiya Yui, Torao Naomi, Yoshimura Midori, Maruyama Karina, Hazuki Yuki
Subs: Saito Toshiko (Yoshimura Midori, 73 mins)
Unused subs: Hattori Mayu, Takatani Misato, Honda Saki, Saito Toshiko
Scorers: Hazuki Yuki (8 mins)


Shizuoka Sangyo University Iwata Bonita  0 - 2  Sfida Setagaya FC
(Attendance: 239)

This game was played on September 6th

A very easy win for Setagaya moves them onto 28 points, but they are very unlikely to achieve a repeat of last year's promotion play-off spot, with Takatsuki and Nojima eleven points ahead. Both goals came from dead-ball situatons, Tanaka Mariko scoring direct from a free kick after only three minutes, with Tanaka Marina adding a second from the spot 36 minutes in. Returning to Setagaya for her first appearance since retiring at the end of the 2013 season was Mori Hitomi, the league's top scorer last year.

Shizuoka made only one attempt on goal and this year have suffered significantly due to the loss of players such as Sayama Momoko and Shirai Aoi. They have only four games remaining and will need to be careful lest they drop into the relegation zone. Their next match is on the 21st against the JSCL. Setagaya take on bottom side Shimizu next weekend expecting a very straightforward win.

Shizuoka Sangyo University Iwata Bonita:
Inukai Ayano, Takahata Airi, Shimamura Kumiko, Nishiyama Mei, Nakase Akane, Ogata Yurika, Kubota Mitsuki, Ishida Risa, Kanno Mie, Hirano Asami (capt), Kitaoka Chiaki
Subs: Shiroshita Chinatsu (Ogata Yurika, HT), Kuchiki Hikaru (Kanno Mie, 60 mins), Komagata Nana (Kitaoka Chiaki, 83 mins), Miyazaki Kaoru (Ishida Risa, 90+3 mins)
Unused subs: Terada Ikumi
Booked: Ishida Risa, Ogata Yurika

Sfida Setagaya FC:
Ishino Himeka, Fukuhara Nao, Tanaka Mariko, Tanaka Marina (capt), Sunoki Yurie, Kubo Ayano, Nagata Maya, Mori Hitomi, Hasegawa Aoi, Nagasawa Yume, Shimojo Aya
Subs: Usuda Haruka (Mori Hitomi, 60 mins), Nagasaki Akane (Shimojo Aya, 63 mins), Hori Yoshie (Hasegawa Aoi, 83 mins), Okada Ayame (Tanaka Marina, 88 mins)
Unused subs: Kawamura Yuki
Scorers: Tanaka Mariko (3 mins), Tanaka Marina (36 mins, pen)


Fukuoka J. Anclas  1 - 2  Nojima Stella Kanagawa Sagamihara
(Attendance: 174)

This game was played on August 31st

A ninth successive win keeps Nojima Stella in contention at the top of the table, with Minamino Arisa scoring her twelfth goal of a very impressive first league season to opening the scoring after just six minutes. Fukuoka were beaten by half-time, with Inoue Yurie also netting just after the half-hour mark. With ten minutes remaining Ito Chisa scored a consolation goal, just Fukuoka's fourteenth in a disasterous campaign, Nojima holding on for an important win.

Nojima are back at home next week, taking on Ehime who impressed away to Tokiwagi Gakuen. Fukuoka play Bunnys Kyoto on the 14th with both sides desperate for points to escape relegation troubles.

Fukuoka J. Anclas:
Kishi Hoshimi, Yanagita Shiori, Hanada Aiko (capt), Ito Chisa, Fujisawa Marin, Ukita Kotone, Doshita Misato, Fukui Shihori, Yoshizawa Ai, Fujimoto Yuki, Marugata Rie
Subs: Iimura Ami (Marugata Rie, 69 mins), Doi Narumi (Yoshizawa Ai, 69 mins)
Unused subs: Shimada Megumi, Inoue Miku
Scorers: Ito Chisa (80 mins)
Booked: Iimura Ami

Nojima Stella Kanagawa Sagamihara:
Kobayashi Shiori, Goto Maika, Terada Reiko, Yoshida Ayaka, Nagasawa Madoka, Setoguchi Nana, Yoshimi Natsuki, Omiya Reona, Inoue Yurie, Minamino Arisa, Oyama Saki (capt)
Subs: Kawarazaki Nozomi (Inoue Yurie, 64 mins), Kinjo Airi (Goto Maika, 79 mins), Saito Haruna (Minamino Arisa, 90+1 mins)
Unused subs: Nanjo Masayo, Nishimura Atsumi
Scorers: Minamino Arisa (6 mins), Inoue Yurie (32 mins)


Bunnys Kyoto SC  1 - 1  Ange Violet Hiroshima
(Attendance: 248)

This game was played on August 30th

Bunnys Kyoto, a member of the league since 1991, are slipping closer to possible relegation, and this draw did little to help them recover.

Bunnys did take the lead in this match, Oshima Sayuri with just her second goal of the season, but this was wiped out just before half-tome by Saihara Mizuki, who has scored four in her first league season.

Ange Violet next play on the 14th, at home to title contenders Takatsuki. Bunnys also play Takatsuki this month, on the 28th, as part of a very difficult run-in which includes games against Nittaidai and Nojima. Their next opponent is Fukuoka J. Anclas, whom they play on the 14th.

Bunnys Kyoto SC:
Takagi Misa, Akamine Mizuki, Saito Hitomi (capt), Yamamoto Yumi, Kawano Maaya, Yamaguchi Yurie, Sawada Yuka, Matsuda Nozomi, Imai Haruka, Hanazaki Rena, Oshima Sayuri
Subs: Kushige Aoi (Yamaguchi Yurie, 56 mins), Akiyama Ryo (Hanazaki Rena, 67 mins), Fuchibe Mami (Imai Haruka, 83 mins)
Unused subs: Yamashita Yu, Tanihara Yukari
Scorers: Oshima Sayuri (13 mins)

Ange Violet Hiroshima:
Uetani Kumiko, Tokoro Yuka, Matsuda Ikumi, Takeda Yuki (capt), Konishi Natsuki, Kitagawa Kana, Akagi Yui, Mizuno Yuri, Katsurama Fumina, Saihara Mizuki, Enya Mari
Subs: Tanaka Ayako (Akagi Yui, 23 mins), Kameda Megumi (Uetani Kumiko, HT), Kuramoto Aya (Tokoro Yuka, 54 mins)
Unused subs: Yamashita Kurumi, Yamashita Mayumi
Scorers: Saihara Mizuki (44 mins)


Nittaidai Football Club Ladies  4 - 0  Cerezo Osaka Sakai Ladies
(Attendance: 94)

This game was played on July 26th

Cerezo Osaka Sakai were no match for the league leaders, who took the lead in the second minute through a goal from Maeda Risa, who has now scored eight goals this season, having never scored before this year. Ishii Chiharu came into the side with Hirata Hikari returning to the bench and it was Ishii who sealed the win before half-time with two goals. Hirata replaced Ishii at half-time and kept up her tremendous scoring run as she hits fourteen goals for the season in her first year in the university.

Nittaidai next play Fukuoka J. Anclas on August 10th, with Cerezo returning to action a week sooner, in a crunch match against Bunnys Kyoto next Saturday.

Nittaidai Football Club Ladies:
Inoue Nene, Sakurai Mayuka, Haza Hisui, Nozu Erika, Oki Shiho, Goto Ami, Kojima Wakiko, Enokidani Misaki, Ito Yukina (capt), Ishii Chiharu, Maeda Risa
Subs: Uemura Shoko (Maeda Risa, HT), Hirata Hikari (Ishii Chiharu, HT), Nagashima Hikari (Oki Shiho, 69 mins), Kitano Rie (Kojima Wakiko, 75 mins), Matsuda Kasumi (Inoue Nene, 87 mins)
Scorers: Maeda Risa (2 mins), Ishii Chiharu (27, 37 mins), Hirata Hikari (88 mins)

Cerezo Osaka Sakai Ladies:
Nishinaka Maho, Wakisaka Reina, Katsuoka Miyu, Takarada Saori, Morinaka Hina, Hayashi Honoka, Nishida Meika, Matsubara Shiho, Maegawa Miki, Yakata Miyu, Tamazakura Kotono
Subs: Fukunaga Erika (Nishinaka Maho, HT), Furusawa Rui (Matsubara Shiho, HT), Kitamura Nanami (Maegawa Miki, HT), Hashimitsu Kyoka (Yakata Miyu, 71 mins), Tanaka Mika (Nishida Meika, 81 mins)
Booked: Takarada Saori