The 37th Empress' Cup Third Round

Third Round Matches, ties played on November 21st and 22nd:

Match 33:
Nippon TV Beleza  5 - 0  Waseda University
(Attendance: 648)

Tanaka Mina enjoyed herself today in scoring four goals against the Kanto League outfit, who had very few chances at the other end even for a lone reply. Uetsuji Yumi also scored for Beleza, who look good for another double this season.

Match 34:
Speranza FC Osaka Takatsuki  1 - 2  Iga FC Kunoichi (after extra time)
(Attendance: 307)

Iga just about got the better of Takatsuki, winning in extra time with a goal from Gloria Douglas. The Kunoichi had outshot their rivals by a signigicant margin and will feel that their win was well-deserved. Sugita Ami had scored their first goal on fifty-four minutes, with Sato Kaede's equaliser eleven minutes from time forcing extra time. Takatuski now must focus all their efforts on surviving relegation; Iga next face Beleza.

Match 35:
Albirex Niigata Ladies  2 - 1  Nojima Stella Kanagawa Sagamihara (after extra time)
(Attendance: 260)

Niigata made it through to the quarter-finals with an extra-time win over Nojima, who will be disappointed but encouraged ahead of their promotion play-off series. Yamazaki Marumi put Niigata ahead after seventeen minutes but Nojima recovered well and after sustained pressure found an equaliser through Oyama Saki. With eight minutes of extra time remaining, Kawasaki Saya found the net for the second time in her first two games for Niigata to win the game.

Match 36:
Nittaidai Fields Yokohama  0 - 2  JEF United Ichihara Chiba Ladies
(Attendance: 205)

JEF United saw off the challenge of Nittaidai's students with two goals in the second half, and had little trouble in neutralising their opponent's greatest threat, the pace of Uemura Shoko. Kawamura Mari headed in the first goal from a corner kick after fifty-eight minutes and the second goal came four minutes later through Fukusawa Risa.

Match 37:
Vegalta Sendai Ladies  4 - 1  Daito Bunka University
(Attendance: 471)

Vegalta Sendai were never likely to have any trouble against Daito Bunka, and they took an early lead, Arimachi Saori scoring the first of her two goals in the seventh minute. Inoue Ayaka scored just before half-time to make it 2-0 at the break, and Kawamura Yuri also scored early in the second half. Daito Bunka's players and supporters were overjoyed when they pulled a goal back, Watanuki Miho scoring her side's only chance of the day.

Match 38:
Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies  2 - 0  AC Nagano Parceiro Ladies
(Attendance: 715)

Urawa were far too good for Nagano, and the beaten side will have work to do over the winter to improve in time for the start of the Nadeshiko League Division 1 season. Both goals came in the first half, Naomoto Hikaru with the first on twenty-three minutes and the second came courtesy of Shibata Hanae twenty minutes later.

Match 39:
Okayama Yunogo Belle  2 - 6  AS Elfen Saitama
(Attendance: 820)

Relegated Saitama showed that they still have something to offer as they easily beat Belle to reach the last eight. Sarah Gregorius scored her first hat-trick in Japan and Azami Rie put on another fine and memorable performance, both setting up goals and scoring two herself;. Saitama's remaining goal was scored by Sugihara Haruna, which restored their lead on the hour mark after Takahashi Chiho had equalised for Belle. Miyama Aya was Belle's other scorer, a consolation goal from the penalty spot. Saitama next play INAC Kobe.

Match 40:
Ange Violet Hiroshima  0 - 5  INAC Kobe Leonessa
(Attendance: 1,340)

Takase Megumi scored twice today, her first goals since early September, as INAC Kobe sailed through to the quarter-final stage with a five-goal victory over Hiroshima. Takase scored the first of her two goals in the third minute, with Ito Miki and Ohno Shinobu also scoring in the first half. Takase's second came just after the restart and their final goal was scored by Masuya Rika with fifteen minutes remaining.


Quarter-Final Matches, ties to be played on December 19th:

Match 41:
Nippon TV Beleza - Iga FC Kunoichi

Match 42:
Albirex Niigata Ladies - JEF United Ichihara Chiba Ladies

Match 43:
Vegalta Sendai Ladies - Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies

Match 44:
AS Elfen Saitama - INAC Kobe Leonessa


Semi-Final Matches, ties to be played on December 23rd:

Match 45:
Winners of Match 41 - Winners of Match 42

Match 46:
Winners of Match 43 - Winners of Match 44


Final Match, to be played on December 27th:

Match 47:
Winners of Match 45 - Winners of Match 46