Challenge League Thirteenth Round

Tokiwagi Gakuen High School  2 - 2  Yamato Sylphid
(Attendance: 100)

Although Yamato picked up their first point in three games against Tokiwagi Gakuen, they nevertheless dropped to fifth in the table, and will have been disappointed not to win.

Having weathered an early Tokiwagi storm, the visitors asserted themselves and took the lead after twenty-eight minutes, Ishibuchi Yuki poking home from close range. However, the lead lasted just two minutes, Kobayashi Rikako powering her way through the Yamato defence to score decisively into the top corner of the net.

Tokiwagi Gakuen looked unsure at set-pieces, repeatedly losing their markers. In the sixty-seventh minute Abe Sayaka swung a free kick into the box where Ishibuchi was left alone to head in her second of the game, to the obvious delight of her team mates and coaching staff.

Yamato's joy was again short-lived, and Kobayashi was again the creative force in the build up to Tokiwagi's equaliser, when she drew Onodera out of her goal, allowing Kuratani Narumi to score into an empty net when the ball was squared to her.

The final twenty minutes saw a flurry of opportunities for both sides though neither came close to scoring again. Tokiwagi Gakuen had already reached the playoffs though will have to be better in those if they wish to again win the Challenge League. Yamato's final game is against Tsukuba, and they will hope to finish with a flourish.

Recalled to the starting lineup for Yamato today were
Tagawa Hazuki, Suga Momoka and Ando Hikari

Matsuyama Tomo narrowly avoids both scoring an own goal and injuring her own goalkeeper just minutes into the game

With the ball having rebounded off the bar, Suga Momoka had a chance to score but missed badly

Sato Yui looks to cross from the left as Tokiwagi Gakuen failed to get much momentum in the first half

Ishibuchi Yuki (on the ground) pokes home from close range for the opening goal

Just a few minutes later Kobayashi Rikako broke clear of the Yamato defence to shoot home the equaliser

Tsuhako Yumiko, a veteran with over two hundred games to her name, challenges Ichise Nana in midfield

Tokiwagi Gakuen defended poorly at set pieces, on this occasion Ono Asuka managed to push the ball over

Tagawa Hazuki is the youngest of the Yamato senior squad, and a product of the club's youth system

Another set piece for Yamato led to their retaking the lead, the goal scored again by Ishibuchi Yuki

As before, Tokiwagi Gakuen replied soon after, with Kobayashi Rikako drawing Onodera Shiho out of her goal before setting up Kuratani, who easily scored into the open net

Tokiwagi Gakuen High School:
Ono Asuka, Kashihara Mayu, Kobayashi Nanako (capt), Genseki Kiyoka, Sato Yui, Satake Anna, Ichise Nana, Takahashi Anna, Kobayashi Rikako, Kuratani Narumi, Doi Asuka
Subs: Okino Kurea (Doi Asuka, 63 mins)
Unused subs: Suzuki Aguri, Kato Karin, Iwaki Ayano, Suzuki Hinako
Scorers: Kobayashi Rikako (30 mins), Kuratani Narumi (73 mins)
Booked: Satake Anna

Yamato Sylphid:
Onodera Shiho (capt), Nabeshima Reika, Nishiyama Haruka, Tsuhako Yumiko, Matsuyama Tomo, Naito Yuka, Tagawa Hazuki, Abe Sayaka, Suga Momoka, Ando Hikari, Ishibuchi Yuki
Subs: Endo Reira (Suga Momoka, 65 mins), Shikata Nao (Tsuhako Yumiko, 81 mins), Takemura Rei (Naito Yuka, 81 mins)
Unused subs: Nakazawa Yui, Yanagawa Erina
Scorers: Ishibuchi Yuki (28, 67 mins)


Tsukuba FC Ladies  0 - 5  Niigata University of Health and Welfare
(Attendance: 214)

Tsukuba FC, guaranteed to finish bottom, were no match for a rampant NUHW side, who were four goals up after just thirty-four minutes. Takahashi Miyuki scored both in the first and second half, her second goal the only one of the second period. As a result the NUHW move up to third, with their final game coming against Norddea, who are only behind them on goal difference. Tsukuba's final game is against Yamato Sylphid, after which they must await to see if they are required to play off to stay in the Challenge League.

Tsukuba FC Ladies:
Murakami Rumika, Kikuchi Sayaka, Hirano Kiyomi, Kunika Shoko (capt), Mitsuma Mutsumi, Nakamura Fuyuki, Mochida Haruka, Kawasaki Shiori, Shibata Emi, Imanaka Yuri, Fujii Shiho
Subs: Aoki Risa (Kikuchi Sayaka, HT), Oyama Sari (Mitsuma Mutsumi, HT), Shibata Kanaho (Fujii Shiho, 64 mins), Nagashima Ruri (Nakamura Fuyuki, 64 mins), Kamei Yumi (Shibata Emi, 82 mins)

Niigata University of Health and Welfare:
Ogawa Mai, Takahashi Mako, Nagasawa Natsuki, Kikuchi Yuuka, Meguro Marina, Fukasawa Miki, Sekine Ayumi, Yamazato Arisu, Kai Sorami, Matsumoto Sonoka, Takahashi Miyuki (capt)
Subs: Tsunemasu Tomomi (Sekine Ayumi, HT), Kaneshige Sari (Matsumoto Sonoka, 53 mins), Abe Saori (Takahashi Mako, 64 mins), Yoshinaga Yuuki (Fukasawa Miki, 64 mins), Shimozono Nene (Ogawa Mai, 79 mins)
Scorers: Matsumoto Sonoka (6 mins), Fukasawa Miki (16 mins), Kai Sorami (27 mins), Takahashi Miyuki (34, 63 mins)


JFA Academy Fukushima  4 - 2  Bunnys Kyoto SC
(Attendance: 88)

The Academy's fourth successive win has propelled them up to second in the table and today they were too much for Bunnys, who as a result of this loss are now out of the race for the playoffs. Ueda Yuriko and Kitagawa Hikaru had the home side 2-0 up at half-time and although Sawada and Oshima scored two goals in quick succession, the Academy responded well and another two goals, this time from Tachibana - her first this season - and Yosue ended Bunnys' hopes of taking anything from this game. The Academy next play Cerezo Osaka Sakai in their most important game of the season; Bunnys' next game is their last, away to Kumamoto.

JFA Academy Fukushima:
Hannah Stambaugh, Iseri Natsuki, Hashinuma Maho (capt), Takahira Miyu, Morita Umi, Tachibana Yo, Hirata Mai, Yonei Honoka, Ibaraki Mitsuba, Kitagawa Hikaru, Ueda Yuriko
Subs: Yosue Suzuka (Ueda Yuriko, 60 mins), Endo Jun (Takahira Miyu, 67 mins), Nakajo Yui (Ibaraki Mitsuba, 72 mins), Takahashi Fuko (Hirata Mai, 83 mins), Nezu Makoto (Iseri Natsuki, 89 mins)
Scorers: Ueda Yuriko (8 mins), Kitagawa Hikaru (22 mins), Tachibana Yo (65 mins), Yosue Suzuka (70 mins)
Booked: Iseri Natsuki

Bunnys Kyoto SC:
Takagi Misa, Hanazaki Rena, Ikeda Asumi, Yamamoto Yumi (capt), Shibuya Yumiko, Sawada Yuka, Minami Mana, Matsuda Nozomi, Yoshizawa Ai, Nishikawa Itsuki, Oshima Sayuri
Subs: Kushige Aoi (Oshima Sayuri, 63 mins)
Unused subs: Gocho Misaki, Akiyama Ryo, Kuwahara Natsumi, Okawa Masami
Scorers: Sawada Yuka (49 mins), Oshima Sayuri (51 mins)


Shizuoka Sangyo University Iwata Bonita  0 - 1  Cerezo Osaka Sakai Ladies
(Attendance: 306)

Shizuoka Sangyo were desperate to stay ahead of the pack but this loss to Cerezo Osaka Sakai drops them to third with two games to play. The visitors' goal came from Maegawa Miki, her third this year. Shizuoka Sangyo must now hope that the victors today win next week against the JFA Academy and that they can take care of bottom side Kumamoto.

Shizuoka Sangyo University Iwata Bonita:
Inukai Ayano, Shiroshita Chinatsu, Shimamura Kumiko, Yamada Yui, Kubota Mitsuki, Kanno Mie, Kanefuda Anzu (capt), Nishiyama Mei, Ishida Risa, Hirano Asami, Oda Kanna
Subs: Nakase Akane (Kubota Mitsuki, HT), Okuda Mika (Kanno Mie, HT), Fujita Momoka (Oda Kanna, 71 mins)
Unused subs: Terada Ikumi, Kuchiki Hikaru
Booked: Oda Kanna

Cerezo Osaka Sakai Ladies:
Fukunaga Erika, Wakisaka Reina, Katsuoka Miyu, Morinaka Hina, Inoue Hina, Furusawa Rui, Hayashi Honoka (capt), Maegawa Miki, Nojima Sakura, Tamazakura Kotono, Takarada Saori
Subs: Tsutsui Riko (Nojima Sakura, 60 mins), Matsubara Shiho (Furusawa Rui, 59 mins), Yakata Miyu (Tamazakura Kotono, 65 mins), Toshimoto Ayuka (Maegawa Miki, 90+1 mins)
Unused subs: Yamashita Rina
Scorers: Maegawa Miki (30 mins)


Mashiki Renaissance Kumamoto  2 - 0  NGU Nagoya FC Ladies
(Attendance: 330)

Kumamoto's first win since May, coming courtesy of headed goals from Kimura Eri and Hori Natsumi - now the team's top scorer with three goals - have renewed confidence in the Kyushu team that they can avoid relegation. This win moves them to within one point of Nagoya who are fifth, but who have played one game more. Kumamto next play Shizuoka this weekend; Nagoya have a two-tweek wait to face champions Cerezo Osaka Sakai.

Mashiki Renaissance Kumamoto:
Ushijima Natsuki, Kitagawa Minamo, Mine Tomomi, Kurahara Honami, Hamada Erina, Nakamura Miki, Kameoka Natsumi, Kutsuna Arisa, Hori Natsumi, Kimura Eri, Terasawa Nozomi (capt)
Subs: Tagashira Yoko (Terasawa Nozomi, 78 mins), Koshi Azusa (Kitagawa Minamo, 82 mins), Kouji Eri (Kimura Eri, 90+2 mins)
Unused subs: Nakashima Mizuho, Kiyokawa Misato
Scorers: Kimura Eri (54 mins), Hori Natsumi (66 mins)

NGU Nagoya FC Ladies:
Takahashi Miharu, Oshima Kaho, Ogawa Yui (capt), Terada Mayu, Sugiyama Yuka, Koike Ayano, Shibayama Fumina, Takenaka Rina, Kuwata Chisa, Imai Mayura, Sato Ao
Subs: Kato Ibuki (Takenaka Rina, 61 mins), Kato Ayaka (Imai Mayura, 67 mins), Morita Makiko (Kuwata Chisa, 87 mins)
Unused subs: Unoki Mao, Shimada Yuka


Yokohama FC Seagulls  5 - 0  Norddea Hokkaido
(Attendance: 173)

Norddea needed to win this game to have any hope of reaching the playoffs, but were easily outclassed by division leaders Yokohama, who are joined in said playoffs by Tokiwagi Gakuen as a result of this game. Muta Kaori and Yoshida Mizuki gave the Seagulls a 2-0 lead at half-time, with Yoshida now up to eleven goals for the season. In the second half an own goal helped the Seagulls on their way and their was a goal for veteran Tanaka Keiko, her second in two games. Sato Nagisa rounded off the scoring. Yokohama have a two-week rest before their final game against Tokiwagi Gakuen; Norddea host the same oppostition next weekend.

Yokohama FC Seagulls:
Deguchi Haruna, Nakai Miku, Miyashita Nanami, Tanaka Keiko, Yamamoto Kana, Fujikake Mayu, Muta Kaori, Yamamoto Emi (capt), Ishihara Ami, Yoshida Mizuki, Tanaka Yui
Subs: Sato Nagisa (Yoshida Mizuki, 66 mins), Kanazawa Mami (Muta Kaori, 81 mins), Shibata Manami (Ishihara Ami, 91 mins)
Unused subs: Asari Maya, Imai Sayuri
Scorers: Muta Kaori (35 mins), Yoshida Mizuki (39 mins), Own Goal (73 mins), Tanaka Keiko (80 mins), Sato Nagisa (84 mins)

Norddea Hokkaido:
Konno Mai, Kikuchi Yumeka, Mori Misato, Kannari Miki (capt), Watanabe Mayuko, Sanogawa Yuri, Arai Yukari, Hasatani Toko, Saito Asami, Hoshiyama Ayaka, Narumi Wakana
Subs: Tomita Mai (Narumi Wakana, 59 mins)
Unused subs: Uno Rei, Ebiko Mio, Kan Miran, Hashimoto Eri