Nadeshiko League Division 1 Fifth Round

Nippon TV Beleza  2 - 1  Albirex Niigata Ladies
(Attendance: 865)

Beleza kept up the pressure on INAC Kobe at the top of the table with another fine win, this time at the expense of Niigata, who stay mid-table. Sakaguchi Mizuho once again did what she is so good at - heading in a corner kick from Uetsuji Yumi, who herself scored the winner in the second half. She too scored a trademark goal from a direct free kick. Oishi Sayaka had equalised for Niigata in the same manner that Sakaguchi had done - heading in a corner kick taken by Kamionobe Megumi. Beleza had enough to keep Niigata at bay in the second half and they look forward to a trip to Fukushima to play Vegalta Sendai. Niigata are away to INAC Kobe.

Nippon TV Beleza:
Yamashita Ayaka, Shimizu Risa, Iwashimizu Azusa (capt), Muramatsu Tomoko, Ariyoshi Saori, Sakaguchi Mizuho, Hara Natsuko, Hasegawa Yui, Uetsuji Yumi, Momiki Yuka, Tanaka Mina
Subs: Kiryu Nanase (Momiki Yuka, HT), Shimada Chiaki (Tanaka Mina, 82 mins)
Unused subs: Soyama Kanako, Doko Mayo, Nakasato Yu, Sumida Rin, Fukumaru Tomoko
Scorers: Sakaguchi Mizuho (28 mins), Uetsuji Yumi (60 mins)

Albirex Niigata Ladies:
Ichitani Tomoko, Sayama Momoko, Kitahara Kana, Yamamoto Arina, Obara Yuria, Saito Yuri, Takahashi Haruka, Sakaguchi Moeno, Kamionobe Megumi (capt), Saeki Aya, Oishi Sayaka
Subs: Yamazaki Marumi (Oishi Sayaka, 72 mins), Watanabe Ayaka (Sakaguchi Moeno, 74 mins), Kodama Keiko (Takahashi Haruka, 82 mins)
Unused subs: Fukumura Kanae, Kojima Miku
Scorers: Oishi Sayaka (36 mins)


Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies  2 - 2  Vegalta Sendai Ladies
(Attendance: 2,235)

One of two dramatic 2-2 draws today, in which Urawa looked beaten early in the game only for the champions to come storming back in the second half. Kawamura Yuri and Hamada Haruka have been in sparkling form for Sendai, and they scored two goals in three minutes between them to give the visitors a good halftime lead. Urawa had fewer chances in the second half than they had had in the first, but they made them count. Kira Chinatsu replied just before the hour mark and the equaliser came from Shibata Hanae with eight minutes remaining, with Nagano Fuka assisting having come off the bench for her first appearance this season.

Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies:
Hirao Chika, Kurishima Akari, Norimatsu Ruka, Kohata Shiho, Kitagawa Hikaru, Shibata Hanae, Kishikawa Natsuki, Seike Kiko, Kira Chinatsu, Goto Michi (capt), Shiraki Akari
Subs: Nagano Fuka (Shiraki Akari, 55 mins), Usui Rie (Kurishima Akari, 78 mins)
Unused subs: Ikeda Sakiko, Ishii Saki, Suzuki Rina, Chiba Minori, Wada Naoko
Scorers: Kira Chinatsu (58 mins), Shibata Hanae (82 mins)

Vegalta Sendai Ladies:
Takenaka Rei, Sakai Yuki, Yamamoto Risa, Takahashi Nana, Takara Ryoko, Inoue Ayaka, Sasaki Mayu, Kawamura Yuri, Kakazu Asuka (capt), Hamada Haruka, Arimachi Saori
Subs: Sasaki Miwa (Arimachi Saori, 67 mins)
Unused subs: Saito Ayaka, Tahara Nozomi, Ono Hitomi, Giovania
Scorers: Kawamura Yuri (23 mins), Hamada Haruka (25 mins)


AS Elfen Saitama  1 - 3  INAC Kobe Leonessa
(Attendance: 892)

Another comfortable win for INAC Kobe on their travels as they retain their 100% record going into Golden Week. Saitama performed better today than they have recently, though were ultimately no match for the title favourites. It took until six minutes into the second half for the lead goal to be scored, Kawasumi Nahomi following up after Sawa's shot had been saved but not held. Three minutes later Sawa scored one for herself, and it was her 150th goal of a long league career. This time Kawasumi was the supplier, with Sawa volleying home past Funada. Sarah Gregorius scored her first goal in Japan, a fine curling shot from the left side of the area to reduce the deficit but Saitama almost immediately allowed INAC to score again, Takase Megumi using her strength to shake off Matsuoka Sayuri to score with a flick into the corner of the net. Saitama next play Takatsuki and regardless of the result, both sides look destined to battle relegation in the Exciting Series. INAC Kobe are at home to Niigata.

AS Elfen Saitama:
Funada Mayu, Akitaya Misato, Matsuoka Sayuri, Nara Misaki, Matsukubo Akari, Takano Saki, Otani Erina, Azami Rie (capt), Takahashi Saori, Sakurabayashi Ayako, Takahashi Kaho
Subs: Sarah Gregorius (Sakurabayashi Ayako, HT), Sugihara Haruna (Takahashi Kaho, 56 mins)
Unused subs: Sakuragi Ayana, Utsumi Yui, Onuma Miho, Segi Aiki, Kitano Rie
Scorers: Sarah Gregorius (77 mins)

INAC Kobe Leonessa:
Kaihori Ayumi, Kinga Yukari, Miyake Shiori, Tanaka Asuna, Sameshima Aya, Kawasumi Nahomi, Ito Miki, Sawa Homare, Minamiyama Chiaki, Ito Kanako, Ohno Shinobu (capt)
Subs: Masuya Rika (Minamiyama Chiaki, 33 mins), Takase Megumi (Ito Miki, 61 mins), Michigami Ayaka (Takase Megumi, 90+1 mins)
Unused subs: Shibusawa Anna, Kai Junko, Nakajima Emi, Nakada Ayu
Scorers: Kawasumi Nahomi (51 mins), Sawa Homare (54 mins), Takase Megumi (78 mins)
Booked: Ohno Shinobu, Masuya Rika


Iga FC Kunoichi  0 - 2  JEF United Ichihara Chiba Ladies
(Attendance: 643)

A disappointing result at home for Iga, who have now lost three games in a row after a good start to the season. After a poor first half from both sides, two goals midway through the second half decided the contest in favour of the visitors. Sugasawa Yuika, who was top scorer last year and who leads the league this year, opened the scoring with Fukasawa Risa ensuring the points would return to Chiba with the second. Iga next host Urawa and need to reorganise; JEF United are at home to struggling Belle.

Iga FC Kunoichi:
Sawada Norimi, Miyasako Tamami, Ohashi Mio, Hatanaka Miyuka, Shimojo Aya, Nasu Maiko (capt), Matsunaga Tomoe, Suzuki Kaoruko, Sugita Ami, Matsunaga Yoshie, Haji Madoka
Subs: Sonomura Nana (Suzuki Kaoruko, HT), Noichi Aya (Matsunaga Tomoe, 58 mins), Gloria Douglas (Matsunaga Yoshie, 78 mins)
Unused subs: Isashi Kaede, Michikura Hiroko, Shimizu Akane

JEF United Ichihara Chiba Ladies:
Yamane Erina, Chino Shoko, Sakuramoto Naoko (capt), Nishikawa Ayaka, Wakabayashi Minori, Hosaka Nodoka, Yanai Rina, Kawamura Mari, Fukasawa Risa, Kamogawa Miho, Sugasawa Yuika
Subs: Setoguchi Kozue (Yanai Rina, HT), Ikadai Risa (Kamogawa Miho, 81 mins)
Unused subs: Nemoto Mio, Tsurumi Ayaka, Isokane Midori, Anzai Yuka
Scorers: Sugasawa Yuika (66 mins), Fukasawa Risa (70 mins)


Speranza FC Osaka Takatsuki  2 - 2  Okayama Yunogo Belle
(Attendance: 889)

The second of today's dramatic comebacks from a two-goal deficit saw Belle rescue a point and like Urawa they now have four points. Takatsuki picked up their first point of the season but they will be very unhappy not to have won this game. Akiba Yumeko gave them a halftime lead, with Hazuki Yuki adding a second just over ten minutes into the second half. However, Belle fought back and goals from Kobayashi Makiko and Kishino Sana - both their first for the club - saved face for the visitors. Belle are next up against JEF United, while Takatsuki are at home to fellow strugglers Saitama.

Speranza FC Osaka Takatsuki:
Ono Maya, Tsuboi Ayako, Takeda Arisa, Sato Kaede, Akiba Yumeko, Yoshimura Midori, Enya Mari, Torao Naomi (capt), Narumiya Yui, Hazuki Yuki, Maruyama Karina
Subs: Saito Toshiko (Maruyama Karina, 82 mins), Yoneyama Suzumi (Hazuki Yuki, 88 mins), Takahashi Saki (Narumiya Yui, 90+1 mins)
Unused subs: Yamamoto Maho, Kitagawa Wakana, Honda Saki, Sakumoto Fumika
Scorers: Akiba Yumeko (37 mins), Hazuki Yuki (56 mins)
Booked: Tsuboi Ayako

Okayama Yunogo Belle:
Fukumoto Miho, Kado Yuka, Takahashi Sachie, Nakajima Chihiro, Mizushima Kumi, Kuzuma Riyo, Asano Miki, Kobayashi Makiko, Miyama Aya, Matsuoka Miki, Morisako Ayame
Subs: Okubo Mai (Kuzuma Riyo, HT), Tanaka Mayu (Asano Miki, 70 mins), Kishino Sana (Kobayashi Makiko, 82 mins)
Unused subs: Mita Isayo, Taniguchi Kikumi, Takahashi Chiho, Kawano Saki
Scorers: Kobayashi Makiko (67 mins), Kishino Sana (84 mins)