The 34th Empress' Cup - Third Round Results

Third Round Matches, ties played on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th of December:

Match 17:
INAC Kobe Leonessa  1 - 0  Waseda University
(Attendance: 5,708)

Just as in last season's competetion, INAC Kobe began their defence of the trophy with a 1-0 win over Waseda University in front of a very large crowd. Takase Megumi scored in the eleventh minute for the only goal of the game. Ji So-Yun later hit the woodwork in missing from the penalty spot, and thought Waseda hit the crossbar themselves they could find no way back. INAC Kobe next play AS Elfen Sayama, while Waseda prepare for the Inter-Collegiate Championships.


Match 18:
Speranza FC Osaka Takatsuki  1 - 2  AS Elfen Sayama FC
(Attendance: 554)

Hamada Haruka had given Takatsuki the lead on thirty minutes, but two goals scored three minutes either side of half-time changed the complexion of the game. Sayama equalised through Nara Misaki, making only her second start of the season, her first being in the first leg of the playoffs. Sayama's eye-catching star player this year has been Azami Rie, and she scored just two minutes after half-time to give the relegated side the lead. Sayama held on for the win, and will play the winners of INAC Kobe versus Waseda.


Match 19:
Albirex Niigata Ladies  1 - 2  JFA Academy Fukushima
(Attendance: 318)

Niigata's top scorer this season Yamazaki Marumi struck in the third minute to give the Nadeshiko League side the lead, but their young Challenge League opponents were not to be overawed, and eight minutes later Kojima Miku equalised, following a move which started with goalkeeper Hirao Chika. Fourteen minutes into the second half Kitagawa Hikaru scored just her second goal of the season from the spot to give the Academy girls the lead. Their remarkable defence kept Niigata out for the rest of the game. The one bright spot for Niigata will have been the return to action of Oishi Sayaka and Sugasawa Yuika.


Match 20:
Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies  2 - 0  Vegalta Sendai Ladies
(Attendance: 1,525)

A Shibata goal from outside the box in the first half was added to by a rare Tsuchihashi goal late in the second half to give Urawa victory over newly promoted Vegalta Sendai, as they move on to the quarter finals. For Vegalta Sendai this was their first competitive defeat.


Match 21:
Okayama Yunogo Belle  9 - 0  Nojima Stella Kanagawa
(Attendance: 1,262)

Nojima Stella's goalkeeper Nanjo Masayo was sent off after just two minutes of this game, and with no reserve goalkeeper, Belle had no trouble in scoring as they pleased past Kawarazaki Nozomi - scorer of six goals in the competition thus far - on their way to the quarter finals. Miyama Aya scored from the spot for the foul and later scored another. Also scoring two goals were Nakano Manami and Yamaguchi Mami. Nakamura Miki, Matsuoka Miki and Mizushima Kumi added one more each.


Match 22:
Iga FC Kunoichi  6 - 0  Kamimura Gakuen High School
(Attendance: 1,023)

Iga had no difficulty in beating Kamimura Gakuen who will now focus on the Senior High Schools' Championships. The Iga scorers were Nasu Maiko, Nakade Hikari, Yamaguchi Ayako, Haji Madoka, Ono Suzuka and Sonomura Nana, with Haji and Yamaguchi scoring for the first time in any competition this season.


Match 23:
JEF United Ichihara Chiba Ladies  4 - 0  Fukuoka J. Anclas
(Attendance: 515)

Four first-half goals were enough for JEF United as they easily brushed aside the Challenge League-bound Fukuoka J. Anclas in Fujieda today. The scorers were Fukasawa Risa, Ogawa Shiho, Yanai Rina and Ikadai Risa, who together were responsible for eleven of the team's 25 goals in the Nadeshiko League season.


Match 24:
NTV Beleza  6 - 0  Tokiwagi Gakuen High School
(Attendance: 420)

Beleza were extremely keen to avoid a repeat of their loss to Tokiwagi Gakuen two seasons ago, and showed no mercy in attacking relentlessly to record a 6-0 victory. In the first half, Nagasato Asano, Kiryu Nanase and Iwashimizu Azusa scored for Beleza to take control, and they continued in the same fashion in the second half with another goal from Kiryu, as well as one each from Tanaka Mina and Sudo Akiko - her first of the season. Beleza next play JEF United. Tokiwagi Gakuen now look forward to defending their title in the Senior High School Championships in January.


Quarter Final Matches, ties to be played on Sunday 16th of December:

Match 25:
INAC Kobe Leonessa
versus
AS Elfen Sayama FC
 
Match 26:
JFA Academy Fukushima
versus
Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies
 
Match 27:
Okayama Yunogo Belle
versus
Iga FC Kunoichi

Match 28: 
JEF United Ichihara Chiba Ladies
versus
NTV Beleza


Semi Final Matches, ties to be played on Saturday 22nd of December:

Match 29:  
Winners of Match 25
versus
Winners of Match 26
 
Match 30: 
Winners of Match 27
versus
Winners of Match 28


Final Match, to be played on Monday 24th of December:

Match 31: 
Winners of Match 29
versus
Winners of Match 30