Nadeshiko League Exciting Series Second Round

Upper Section

Vegalta Sendai Ladies  1 - 1  JEF United Ichihara Chiba Ladies
(Attendance: 1,353)

Sugasawa Yuika scored her third headed goal from a set piece in three games to give JEF United a first half lead over Vegalta Sendai, with both sides needing a win to stay in touch with the leaders. The visitors sat back following their goal and allowed Sendai to attack, and a defensive error allowed Nakano Manami to equalise on sixty-six minutes. A more even game followed with both teams going for the win. The draw leaves both four points off the top and both will again need to win next weekend if they are to harbour any hopes of winning a first championship.

Vegalta Sendai Ladies:
Takenaka Rei, Sakai Yuki, Yamamoto Risa, Chiba Kozue, Takara Ryoko, Yasumoto Sawako, Sasaki Mayu, Kawamura Yuri (capt), Nakano Manami, Inoue Ayaka, Arimachi Saori
Subs: Hamada Haruka (Yasumoto Sawako, 60 mins), Ono Hitomi (Arimachi Saori, 67 mins), Sasaki Miwa (Nakano Manami, 76 mins)
Unused subs: Saito Ayaka, Ideue Asako, Tahara Nozomi, Kakazu Asuka
Scorers: Nakano Manami (66 mins)

JEF United Ichihara Chiba Ladies:
Yamane Erina, Chino Shoko, Sakuramoto Naoko (capt), Isokane Midori, Ueno Saki, Hosaka Nodoka, Setoguchi Kozue, Kawamura Mari, Fukasawa Risa, Ikadai Risa, Sugasawa Yuika
Subs: Kamogawa Miho (Ikadai Risa, HT), Anzai Yuka (Hosaka Nodoka, 74 mins), Nishikawa Ayaka (Setoguchi Kozue, 83 mins)
Unused subs: Kitsuki Yui, Wakabayashi Minori, Yanai Rina
Scorers: Sugasawa Yuika (26 mins)


Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies  2 - 1  Nippon TV Beleza
(Attendance: 2,021)

Beleza were stunned today as Urawa turned around a half-time one-goal deficit, courtesy of Tanaka Mina, to win the game with three minutes remaining, Seike Kiko with her ninth of the season keeping the champions in with at least a slight chance of retaining their title. Urawa next host JEF United; Beleza face Niigata, the only team with a 100% record in the Exciting Series.

Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies:
Ikeda Sakiko, Norimatsu Ruka, Osafune Kana, Kohata Shiho, Kitagawa Hikaru, Shibata Hanae, Naomoto Hikaru, Kishikawa Natsuki, Kato Chika, Kira Chinatsu, Goto Michi (capt)
Subs: Nagano Fuka (Kishikawa Natsuki, HT), Seike Kiko (Kato Chika, 55 mins), Usui Rie (Goto Michi, 85 mins)
Unused subs: Hirao Chika, Ishii Saki, Kurishima Akari, Shiraki Akari
Scorers: Osafune Kana (59 mins), Seike Kiko (87 mins)

Nippon TV Beleza:
Yamashita Ayaka, Shimizu Risa, Iwashimizu Azusa (capt), Muramatsu Tomoko, Ariyoshi Saori, Hara Natsuko, Sakaguchi Mizuho, Nakasato Yu, Uetsuji Yumi, Sumida Rin, Tanaka Mina
Subs: Hasegawa Yui (Sumida Rin, HT), Toriumi Yuka (Uetsuji Yumi, 77 mins)
Unused subs: Soyama Kanako, Doko Mayo, Kinoshita Shiori, Kiryu Nanase, Shimada Chiaki
Scorers: Tanaka Mina (40 mins)
Booked: Muramatsu Tomoko


INAC Kobe Leonessa  0 - 2  Albirex Niigata Ladies
(Attendance: 2,015)

Two goals from Yamazaki Marumi, both coming from a combination of good Niigata play and poor goalkeeping from Kaihori Ayumi, gave the visitors their first victory over Kobe since the opening weekend of the 2010 season. Niigata are currently the strongest rivals to leaders Beleza, whom they face next Sunday. The winners will go top with two games remaining.

INAC Kobe Leonessa:
Kaihori Ayumi, Kinga Yukari, Kai Junko, Tanaka Asuna, Nakajima Emi, Kawasumi Nahomi, Ito Miki, Sawa Homare, Masuya Rika, Ohno Shinobu (capt), Takase Megumi
Subs: Minamiyama Chiaki (Takase Megumi, 55 mins), Sugita Hina (Ito Miki, 69 mins), Michigami Ayaka (Kinga Yukari, 84 mins)
Unused subs: Shibusawa Anna, Miyake Shiori, Nakada Ayu, Ito Kanako

Albirex Niigata Ladies:
Fukumura Kanae, Kojima Miku, Kitahara Kana, Nakamura Kaede, Watanabe Ayaka, Sakaguchi Moeno, Yamada Shoko, Saeki Aya, Kamionobe Megumi (capt), Yamazaki Marumi, Oishi Sayaka
Subs: Yasaka Mei (Saeki Aya, 77 mins), Takahashi Haruka (Sakaguchi Moeno, 80 mins), Kubota Mayu (Oishi Sayaka, 87 mins)
Unused subs: Koganemaru Sachie, Yamamoto Arina
Scorers: Yamazaki Marumi (41, 51 mins)


Lower Section

AS Elfen Saitama  3 - 2  Speranza FC Osaka Takatsuki
(Attendance: 272)

For the second consecutive game Takatsuki led with minutes remaining only to see victory snatched away. On this occasion it was Saitama's veteran Azami with two goals which set up an exciting finish, Takahashi Saori scoring her very first goal in league football to win the game. Saitama play Belle on Sunday with Takatsuki in action a day earlier away to Iga.

AS Elfen Saitama:
Sakuragi Ayana, Segi Aiki, Abby Erceg, Nara Misaki, Akitaya Misato, Anna Green, Azami Rie (capt), Takano Saki, Nakano Rino, Sugihara Haruna, Takahashi Saori
Subs: Sarah Gregorius (Sugihara Haruna, 31 mins), Matsukubo Akari (Akitaya Misato, HT)
Unused subs: Funada Mayu, Matsuoka Sayuri, Shimokawa Saori, Kitano Rie, Takahashi Kaho
Scorers: Azami Rie (69, 90+1 mins), Takahashi Saori (90+4 mins)
Booked: Nara Misaki

Speranza FC Osaka Takatsuki:
Ono Maya, Takahashi Saki, Sato Kaede, Takeda Arisa, Akiba Yumeko, Honda Saki, Yoshimura Midori, Torao Naomi (capt), Tsuboi Ayako, Narumiya Yui, Maruyama Karina
Subs: Enya Mari (Maruyama Karina, 82 mins)
Unused subs: Ueno Yukiko, Hayashi Momo, Kitagawa Wakana, Sakumoto Fumika
Scorers: Narumiya Yui (22 mins), Sato Kaede (78 mins)
Booked: Tsuboi Ayako


Okayama Yunogo Belle  0 - 0  Iga FC Kunoichi
(Attendance: 1,033)

A scoreless draw keeps these two sides top of the pile though both will be fully aware than any slip up could result in disaster. Iga are three points clear of the relegation playoff spot and can strengthen their position with a win over bottom side Takatsuki on Saturday. Belle travel east to face a resurgent Saitama side who would move above them with a win on Sunday.

Okayama Yunogo Belle:
Fukumoto Miho (capt), Nakajima Chihiro, Kado Yuka, Takahashi Sachie, Mizushima Kumi, Asano Miki, Kuzuma Riyo, Miyama Aya, Kobayashi Makiko, Takahashi Chiho, Matsuoka Miki
Subs: Elizabeth Eddy (Asano Miki, HT), Okubo Mai (Kuzuma Riyo, 76 mins)
Unused subs: Mita Isayo, Taniguchi Kikumi, Hosokawa Motoyo, Kishino Sana, Tanaka Mayu

Iga FC Kunoichi:
Isashi Kaede, Michikura Hiroko, Miyasako Tamami, Nasu Maiko (capt), Hatanaka Miyuka, Matsunaga Tomoe, Haji Madoka, Suzuki Kaoruko, Matsunaga Yoshie, Sugita Ami, Kiyohara Marie
Subs: Noichi Aya (Matsunaga Tomoe, 56 mins), Meleana Shim (Kiyohara Marie, 63 mins), Sonomura Nana (Matsunaga Yoshie, 72 mins)
Unused subs: Kuno Fubuki, Kobayashi Misaki
Booked: Sugita Ami