Challenge League Nineteenth Round

Ange Violet Hiroshima  0 - 2  Fukuoka J. Anclas
(Attendance: 454)

Having surprisingly slipped down the table in recent months, Fukuoka finally find themselves out of danger thanks to a 2-0 win over Ange Violet, who themselves have had a poor run lately, picking up just three points from three draws in their last seven games.

Marugata Rie scored her first two goals of the campaign against Ehime in a defeat for Fukuoka in their last match, but today her two goals won the game to lift her side to eleventh in the table.

Fukuoka have just one game remaining, against fellow strugglers Cerezo Osaka Sakai who remain in peril just two points above the relegation zone. Ange Violet have two games remaining, the next coming on October 25th away to championship-chasing Nojima Stella Kanagawa Sagamihara.

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

Fukuoka J. Anclas:
Kishi Hoshimi, Yanagita Shiori, Hanada Aiko (capt), Ito Chisa, Fujisawa Marin, Iimura Ami, Ukita Kotone, Doshita Misato, Yoshizawa Ai, Fujimoto Yuki, Marugata Rie
Subs: Doi Narumi (Iimura Ami, 70 mins), Fukui Shihori (Fujimoto Yuki, 83 mins)
Unused subs: Shimada Megumi, Inoue Miku, Nomura Haruka
Scorers: Marugata Rie (9, 82 mins)
Booked: Doshita Misato


Tokiwagi Gakuen High School  2 - 0  Japan Soccer College Ladies
(Attendance: 100)

Tokiwagi Gakuen scored twice in the space of a minute approaching half-time which was just enough to see off the JSCL, who will feel aggrieved at the number of times their players were felled without penalty. Nishikawa Ayaka, with her first goal in five games, and Kobayashi Rikako, with her fifth in four games, did the damage for Tokiwagi Gakuen who strengthen their position in the top half of the table, and close to within two points of the JFA Academy whom they play in Fukushima on Monday.

The JSCL are not yet completely safe, but are expected to beat Shimizu in their next game to move clear of the bottom two, though they will be mindful that they are the only side against whom Shimizu have picked up points this season.

Nishikawa Ayaka opened the scoring on 41 minutes in what was a very even contest

Takahashi Sakura had another confident game in defence

Toriumi Mai makes another attempt to break through but the Tokiwagi defence holds firm

Tokiwagi Gakuen and Nittaidai graduate Kudo Asami provided threat down the right wing

Defender Sano Saki attempts to make inroads down the left wing

Ono Asuka foiled Kudo, Toriumi and Nakashima on numerous occasions

Yoneda Saki made a rare starting appearance in midfield for the JSCL

Iwasaki Manami has improved greatly over the past two years and was a constant threat

Tokiwagi Gakuen High School:
Ono Asuka, Kobayashi Nanako, Matsukubo Akari, Genseki Kiyoka, Nishikawa Ayaka (capt), Ichise Nana, Kawasaki Saya, Takahashi Anna, Kadowaki Shihomi, Sugihara Haruna, Kobayashi Rikako
Subs: Mitsuhashi Asuka (Kadowaki Shihomi, 63 mins), Fujino Suzuka (Kobayashi Nanako, 80 mins), Iwaki Ayano (Kawasaki Saya, 87 mins)
Unused subs: Kinoshita Natsumi, Sasaki Yukina
Scorers: Nishikawa Ayaka (41 mins), Kobayashi Rikako (42 mins)

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
Unused subs: Komatsu Akane, Kikuchi Ruri, Tadano Yuki, Fukumoto Junko, Ishibuchi Yuki


Sfida Setagaya FC  4 - 0  JFA Academy Fukushima
(Attendance: 453)

The JFA Academy conceded four goals for the first time this season as Setagaya consolidated their top six position. The opening goal came four minutes before the break, Tanaka Marina finishing off after a scramble to score her tenth goal of the season.

Nineteen minutes into the second half the hosts doubled their lead, Nagasawa and Hasegawa combining to give Nagata Maya the opportunity to score her first goal since April - which also came against the Academy. Two late goals, both scored within two minutes by Nagasawa added gloss to the scoreline for Setagaya.

Setagaya next play fourth-placed Harima Albion on the 26th, while the Academy returns to Fukushima for the visit of Tokiwagi Gakuen on the 13th.

Sfida Setagaya FC:
Ishino Himeka, Fukuhara Nao, Tanaka Mariko, Tanaka Marina, Sunoki Yurie, Usuda Haruka, Nagata Maya (capt), Mori Hitomi, Hasegawa Aoi, Nagasawa Yume, Shimojo Aya
Subs: Hori Yoshie (Shimojo Aya, 60 mins), Nagasaki Akane (Hasegawa Aoi, 71 mins), Kuwahara Yoshie (Mori Hitomi, 80 mins), Kawashima Tamai (Nagata Maya, 90+1 mins)
Unused subs: Sakuragi Ayana
Scorers: Tanaka Marina (40 mins), Nagata Maya (69 mins), Nagasawa Yume (82, 83 mins)

JFA Academy Fukushima:
Hannah Stambaugh, Nakajo Yui, Hashinuma Maho, Moriya Miyabi, Takahira Miyu, Ibaraki Mitsuba, Mizutani Yuki (capt), Hirata Mai, Kitagawa Hikaru, Okuma Rana, Tachibana Yo
Subs: Akimoto Haruka (Takahira Miyu, HT), Ueda Yuriko (Ibaraki Mitsuba, 87 mins)
Unused subs: Asano Natsumi, Iseri Natsuki, Takahashi Fuko


Nojima Stella Kanagawa Sagamihara  0 - 0  Ehime FC Ladies
(Attendance: 360)

This game was played on September 7th

With Takatsuki beating Nittaidai, Nojima had the chance to join both of those teams at the top on 42 points, but squandered it at home with their first draw of the season. Ehime were involved in a seven-goal thriller in July away to Tokiwagi Gakuen, but they too lacked polish in their finishing.

Nojima thus stand two points behind the leaders, though significantly with an inferior goal difference, though they can overtake both sides by beating them in the coming weeks. Their next outing is to the west, against Cerezo Osaka Sakai who will do everything they can to at least take a point. Ehime face Nittaidai with today's opponents hoping that they can stifle their potent attack in a similar manner.

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 (Omiya Reona, 56 mins), Kanai Nanae (Inoue Yurie, 65 mins), Kinjo Airi (Kawarazaki Nozomi, 73 mins), Saito Haruna (Goto Maika, 84 mins)
Unused subs: Nanjo Masayo
Booked: Terada Reiko

Ehime FC Ladies:
Osako Hanako, Kamata Ran, Nishimura Nozomi, Nishigawa Sayumi (capt), Kawamura Akari, Iwamoto Yuka, Yamashiro Miyuki, Kariya Maiko, Ogawa Manami, Akune Mana, Haruyama Saori
Subs: Kushiyama Saki (Kawamura Akari, 65 mins), Oya Ayumi (Ogawa Manami, 65 mins), Watai Shiori (Iwamoto Yuka, 76 mins)
Unused subs: Ueno Yukiko, Mukaidani Ayaka


Speranza FC Osaka Takatsuki  1 - 0  Nittaidai Football Club Ladies
(Attendance: 406)

This game was played on September 7th

Hazuki Yuki has scored nine goals this season, but the one she scored today may be the most important. With Takatsuki and Nojima both three points behind leaders Nittaidai, the home side knew that they had to win this game to stay in prime position for automatic promotion.

Nittaidai have also started their Kanto Universities League campaign, though for this game they brought their most potent players, making no chages from the side that beat Fukuoka in August.

Hazuki's winning goal came on 72 minutes, with captain Torao Naomi making a powerful charge towards goal, and Hazuki finishing off after a scramble.

Nittaidai stay top on goal difference, but Takatsuki now stand two points ahead of Nojima, who failed to beat Ehime at home, Nittaidai's opponents on Sunday. Takatsuki are away to Ange Violet Hiroshima.

Speranza FC Osaka Takatsuki:
Ono Maya, Hirano Satoko, Hatanaka Miyuka, Akiba Yumeko, Yoshimura Midori, Narumiya Yui, Torao Naomi (capt), Tsuboi Ayako, Maruyama Karina, Honda Saki, Hazuki Yuki
Subs: Saito Toshiko (Honda Saki, 56 mins), Shimamura Yuko (Maruyama Karina, 87 mins), Takatani Misato (Hazuki Yuki, 90+2 mins)
Unused subs: Hattori Mayu, Toyama Sayuri
Scorers: Hazuki Yuki (72 mins)

Nittaidai Football Club Ladies:
Inoue Nene, Sakurai Mayuka, Haza Hisui, Nozu Erika, Oki Shiho, Goto Ami, Kojima Wakiko, Enokidani Misaki, Ito Yukina (capt), Hirata Hikari, Uemura Shoko
Subs: Uchida Misuzu (Uemura Shoko, 88 mins), Ishii Chiharu (Goto Ami, 71 mins)
Unused subs: Matsuda Kasumi, Abe Rie, Maeda Risa


Shimizu Daihachi Pleiades  0 - 6  AC Nagano Parceiro Ladies
(Attendance: 173)

This game was played on September 7th

Honda Midori took her Nagano side back to the team she grew up with and they had no trouble in swatting Shimizu aside. Three goals were scored in either half, with Uchiyama netting both the first and the fifth, heading both goals from corner kicks. Yokoyama Kumi had a say in all six goals. As the taker of corner kicks she supplied four goals, for Uchiyama as mentioned and also for Tanaka Nami and Yajima Yuki. She also made the opening for Hashiura Satsuki's goal - the fourth of the game and earlier scored the second of the match.

Nagano move into fourth place, now eight points behind Nojima Stella. It is unlikely that they will catch the Sagamihara side, though it is possible, especially with Nojima yet to play the top two. Shimizu are at home to Setagaya and they are surely soon to be confirmed as relegation play-off candidates. Nagano are next in action on the 20th, also against Setagaya.

Shimizu Daihachi Pleiades:
Maruyama Kimi, Kobayashi Natsumi, Taniguchi Emi, Oda Sayaka, Inoue Yurie, Sato Kaede, Kanashiro Wakana (capt), Matsushita Norimi, Yamaki Kotomi, Baba Sayumi, Miyagawa Tomoko
Subs: Kawachi Erika (Sato Kaede, 56 mins), Hirukawa Mio (Inoue Yurie, 82 mins)
Unused subs: Miura Kyoko

AC Nagano Parceiro Ladies:
Ikegaya Natsumi, Kanefuda Anzu, Oshima Nozomi, Yajima Yuki, Tanaka Nami (capt), Yoshida Aoi, Uchiyama Tomoyo, Kunisawa Shino, Yokoyama Kumi, Hamagaki Kana, Uchiyama Tomoka
Subs: Hashiura Satsuki (Hamagaki Kana, HT), Ichikawa Manayuki (Kanefuda Anzu, 57 mins), Wada Makoto (Uchiyama Tomoyo, 65 mins)
Unused subs: Unoki Mao, Makii Kasane
Scorers: Uchiyama Tomoka (37, 57 mins), Yokoyama Kumi (39 mins), Tanaka Nami (44 mins), Hashiura Satsuki (52 mins), Yajima Yuki (70 mins)


AS Harima Albion  0 - 0  Shizuoka Sangyo University Iwata Bonita
(Attendance: 373)

This game was played on July 27th

Although the home side had more than twice the number of opportunities to score than their opponents they had to settle for a second consecutive scoreless draw. They now stand three points ahead of the JFA Academy who are fifth but who have a game in hand. Shizuoka Sangyo remain in eleventh place and although unlikely to figure in the relegation battle will have expected more from themselves this season.

Harima don't play again until mid-September when they host Tokiwagi Gakuen; Shizuoka Sangyo travel north to Nagano on August 30th.

AS Harima Albion:
Kirihata Kotono, Kitagawa Wakana, Nishiyama Emi, Fujimoto Madoka (capt), Sakai Nozomi, Nakajima Chihiro, Okajima Eri, Koyano Yuu, Shirota Miki, Chiba Sonoko, Murakawa Saki
Subs: Momii Mika (Koyano Yuu, 52 mins), Saito Manami (Shirota Miki, 67 mins), Hasatani Toko (Okajima Eri, 89 mins)
Unused subs: Sugimoto Aoi, Sugiyama Yuka

Shizuoka Sangyo University Iwata Bonita:
Terada Ikumi, Nishiyama Mei, Nakase Akane, Ogata Yurika, Takahata Airi, Kubota Mitsuki, Suzuki Rina, Kanno Mie, Shimamura Kumiko, Hirano Asami (capt), Oda Kanna
Subs: Ishida Risa (Kubota Mitsuki, 66 mins), Kitaoka Chiaki (Suzuki Rina, 73 mins), Shiroshita Chinatsu (Kanno Mie, 84 mins)
Unused subs: Inukai Ayano, Miyazaki Kaoru


Cerezo Osaka Sakai Ladies  2 - 1  Bunnys Kyoto SC
(Attendance: 151)

This game was played on August 2nd

Cerezo Osaka Sakai had a dreadful start to the season, losing all eight of their opening games, but have now won four of the last six to move them clear of the bottom two relegation positions with a win over Bunnys, who themselves drop into danger.

Nojima Sakura was the Cerezo heroine, coming on at half-time to score twice before a very late own goal gave Bunnys a very small consolation. Nojima has now scored on five occasions this season.

Cerezo Osaka Sakai are now one point behind the JSCL and two ahead of Bunnys Kyoto, though both sides have games in hand. Shimizu at the bottom have just three points, and with an eight point gap they look destined to finish bottom.

Bunnys play again in August, on the 30th against formidable newcomers Ange Violet Hiroshima, with Cerezo Osaka Sakai not in action until September 13th, when they face Nojima at home.

Cerezo Osaka Sakai Ladies:
Fukunaga Erika, Wakisaka Reina, Katsuoka Miyu, Takarada Saori, Morinaka Hina, Furusawa Rui, Nishida Meika (capt), Matsubara Shiho, Hayashi Honoka, Maegawa Miki, Tamazakura Kotono
Subs: Nojima Sakura (Tamazakura Kotono, HT), Tanaka Mika (Nishida Meika, 75 mins), Yakata Miyu (Furusawa Rui, 81 mins), Kitamura Nanami (Matsubara Shiho, 89 mins), Nishinaka Maho (Fukunaga Erika, 90+1 mins)
Scorers: Nojima Sakura (55, 78 mins)
Booked: Wakisaka Reina

Bunnys Kyoto SC:
Takagi Misa, Akamine Mizuki, Saito Hitomi (capt), Akiyama Ryo, Shibuya Yumiko, Oshima Sayuri, Yamamoto Yumi, Matsuda Nozomi, Sawada Yuka, Fuchibe Mami, Imai Haruka
Subs: Hanazaki Rena (Fuchibe Mami, 68 mins), Yamaguchi Yurie (Oshima Sayuri, 77 mins), Kawano Maaya (Imai Haruka, 80 mins)
Unused subs: Yamashita Yu, Tanihara Yukari
Scorers: Akamine Mizuki (90+3 mins)
Booked: Oshima Sayuri