Nadeshiko League First Round

Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies  3 - 0  Speranza FC Osaka Takatsuki
(Attendance: 2,629)

The home side got their 2013 campaign with a spirited and skillful victory over a Takatsuki side expected to struggle again this season. Fujita Nozomi only scored once last season, but she got her side off to a good start with an early goal. In the second half Yasuda and Goto scored two in three minutes to make the game safe.

Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies:
Ikeda Sakiko, Ishii Saki, Sakamoto Riho, Kohata Shiho, Saito Akane, Shibata Hanae, Kishikawa Natsuki, Fujita Nozomi, Kato Chika, Yasuda Yuki, Goto Michi (capt)
Subs: Kira Chinatsu (Kato Chika, 73 mins), Kurishima Akari (Fujita Nozomi, 84 mins), Wada Naoko (Saito Akane, 90 mins)
Unused subs: Tajiri Yumi, Takeuchi Nozomi
Scorers: Fujita Nozomi (6 mins), Yasuda Yuki (68 mins), Goto Michi (71 mins)
Booked: Sakamoto Riho

Speranza FC Osaka Takatsuki:
Ono Maya, Tsuboi Ayako, Okuda Akiko (capt), Akiba Yumeko, Sato Kaede, Itami Emi, Torao Naomi, Hatanaka Miyuka, Kanjana Sung-Ngoen, Maruyama Karina, Matsuda Nozomi
Subs: Asano Miki (Hatanaka Miyuka, 45 mins), Honda Saki (Itami Emi, 75 mins), Shimamura Yuko (Matsuda Nozomi, 75 mins)
Unused subs: Suzuki Risa, Ikeda Asumi
Booked: Sato Kaede, Tsuboi Ayako


NTV Beleza  2 - 0  FC Kibikokusaidaigaku Charme
(Attendance: 865)

Beleza got their challenge off to a solid start against newly promoted FC Kibikokusaidaigaku Charme in western Tokyo today, with many young players making an impression. For Kibi Hamamoto Marin started having just enrolled from Osaka Toin High School and Imanishi Azusa made her first start since the team's visit to Sendai last summer.

Beleza were more comfortable on the ball, with Shimizu impressing at right back and Hara Natsuko made some encouraging forward runs. Tanaka Mina was the most dangerous of the Beleza players and it was her attacking run into the box in the 37th minute which led to the first goal, with her pass inside finding Kiryu who easily scored. Prior to that, Kibi had had the best chance to score when Sugita found herself in space following a fine glancing header from Takahashi Chiho, but the shot was scuffed wide.

Nakasato Yu was introduced in place of Hara at the start of the second half and she scored to end the game as a contest very soon after coming on. Momiki Yuka had made a good attacking move down the left and her shot was followed by some confusion in the defence, and Nakasato didn't need to be asked twice in finishing off.

Kibi grew in confidence in the second half and were able to play somewhat better and were not too disheartened at the end of the game, and expressed hope that they can compete with the other sides in the league in the coming fixtures.

The cherry blossoms were in bloom in western Tokyo for the opening day of the new season

Sugita had the first chance of the game but scuffed her shot wide

The Charme players are relieved to see Tanaka Mina's shot fly over the bar

Kiryu Nanase was a constant threat and scored the opening goal on 37 minutes

Imanishi Azusa was injured in the first half but was able to complete the game safely

Nakasato Yu made an immediate impact upon coming on, scoring the decisive second goal

The experienced Iwashimizu (#22) and Sudo (#4) dealt with the threat of Takahashi very well

Tanaka Mina was a thorn in Kibi's side all afternoon

Kibi captain Sugita Ami looks to break through the Beleza defence

Momiki Yuka was very lively, here she looks to shoot with Takeda defending

Noma Fumika (#9) came on as a substitute in the second half for Kibi

Morimoto Kiyo produced a fine save to deny Hasegawa Yui

NTV Beleza:
Soyama Kanako, Shimizu Risa, Iwashimizu Azusa (capt), Sudo Akiko, Ariyoshi Saori, Hara Natsuko, Sumida Rin, Hasegawa Yui, Tanaka Mina, Momiki Yuka, Kiryu Nanase
Subs: Nakasato Yu (Hara Natsuko, HT), Kobayashi Miharu (Momiki Yuka, 73 mins), Kinoshita Shiori (Tanaka Mina, 87 mins)
Unused subs: Mochizuki Arisa, Doko Mayo
Scorers: Kiryu Nanase (37 mins), Nakasato Yu (48 mins)

FC Kibikokusaidaigaku Charme:
Morimoto Kiyo, Takeda Arisa, Muramatsu Mafuyu, Imanishi Azusa, Kamata Ran, Shigemasa Kai, Sugita Ami (capt), Hamamoto Marin, Nishikawa Asuka, Kanbara Misaki, Takahashi Chiho
Subs: Noma Fumika (Kanbara Misaki, HT), Adachi Eriko (Hamamoto Marin, 79 mins), Yoshitake Manami (Shigemasa Kai, 81 mins)
Unused subs: Isashi Kaede, Nakai Yuna


INAC Kobe Leonessa  2 - 1  JEF United Ichihara Chiba Ladies
(Attendance: 4,012)

INAC Kobe began their defence of the title with a 2-1 win over JEF United who gave them a scare in the Empress' Cup final, the most recent competitive game these sides had played. Two penalties by Beverly Goebel-Yanez in either half were answered by a single late goal from Fukusawa Risa just before the end. The teams below INAC Kobe are catching up, but not enough yet to challenge them.

INAC Kobe Leonessa:
Kaihori Ayumi, Watanabe Ayaka, Tanaka Asuna, Kai Junko, Nakajima Emi, Sawa Homare, Minamiyama Chiaki, Ji So Yun, Takase Megumi, Beverly Goebel-Yanez, Kawasumi Nahomi (capt)
Subs: Isokane Midori (Kai Junko, HT), Michigami Ayaka (Beverly Goebel-Yanez, 80 mins), Nakada Ayu (Takase Megumi, 88 mins)
Unused subs: Takenaka Rei, Tanaka Yoko
Scorers: Beverly Goebel-Yanez (21 mins (pen), 57 mins (pen) )
Booked: Ji So Yun

JEF United Ichihara Chiba Ladies:
Funada Mayu, Ueno Saki, Sakuramoto Naoko (capt), Takahashi Sachie, Hosokawa Motoyo, Chino Shoko, Ikadai Risa, Kitagawa Saki, Kawamura Yuri, Fukasawa Risa, Ogawa Shiho
Subs: Anzai Yuka (Kitagawa Saki, 71 mins), Kamogawa Miho (Ogawa Shiho, 78 mins)
Unused subs: Yamane Erina, Yamamoto Naomi, Koike Kokoro
Scorers: Fukasawa Risa (89 mins)
Booked: Sakuramoto Naoko, Kawamura Yuri


Okayama Yunogo Belle  0 - 1  Vegalta Sendai Ladies
(Attendance: 2,888)

Last year's Challenge League champions got their campaign off to the best possible start with a win in Mimasaka over Belle who will be most disappointed with their start. Newcomers on either side were Fushiki Kaho for Belle and Takara Ryoka for Sendai. The only goal of the game came midway through the first half when Amano found Sameshima on the left, who then found Ito on the left wing. Her ball into the box across the face of goal was dummied by Ono and Kakazu was there to sidefoot home past Fukumoto. Belle attacked vigourously, with the lively Matsuoka Miki coming close with two headers.

Vegalta Sendai travel to Okayama again next weekend to play FC Kibikokusaidaigaku Charme, whom they beat in Takahashi 3-0 last season, while Belle go to Iga where they won 5-0 on the opening weeknd of last season.

Okayama Yunogo Belle:
Fukumoto Miho (capt), Yasuda Kuniko, Kado Yuka, Nagamachi Yuri, Fushiki Kaho, Takahashi Haruka, Nakano Manami, Miyama Aya, Yokoyama Kumi, Arimachi Saori, Matsuoka Miki
Subs: Nakagawa Chihiro (Yokoyama Kumi, 79 mins)
Unused subs: Ikegaya Natsumi, Sakai Nozomi, Mizushima Kumi

Vegalta Sendai Ladies:
Amano Misaki, Nakamura Mami, Shimokozuru Aya (capt), Takahashi Nana, Takara Ryoko, Yasumoto Sawako, Kakazu Asuka, Uetsuji Yumi, Sameshima Aya, Ono Hitomi, Ito Minako
Subs: Koyama Kie (Ono Hitomi, 64 mins), Sakai Yuki (Nakamura Mami, 75 mins)
Unused subs: Saita Yuki, Sasaki Mayu, Inoue Ayaka
Scorers: Kakazu Asuka (22 mins)
Booked: Yasumoto Sawako


Albirex Niigata Ladies  0 - 0  Iga FC Kunoichi
(Attendance: 1,141)

Niigata introduced Musashigaoka graduate Sakaguchi Moeno into their starting lineup for the visit of Iga on the opening weekend, with the visitors beginning the season with veterans of many campaigns. The game ended scoreless with neither side looking particularly impressive, with Iga especially toothless in attack. A point for them will be welcomed as the bottom of the table may be tight come the end of the season. For Niigata to remain a top five side improvement will be needed though, with a visit from INAC Kobe next weekend a daunting proposition. Iga are at home to Belle who will be intent on nothing less than victory.

Albirex Niigata Ladies:
Ichitani Tomoko, Yamamoto Arina, Nakamura Kaede, Kitahara Kana, Obara Yuria, Saeki Aya, Sakaguchi Moeno, Saito Yuri, Kamionobe Megumi (capt), Kodama Keiko, Oishi Sayaka
Subs: Yamazaki Marumi (Kodama Keiko, HT mins), Hirai Sakina (Saeki Aya, 75 mins), Kubota Mayu (Oishi Sayaka, 84 mins)
Unused subs: Koganemaru Sachie, Takamura Chisato

Iga FC Kunoichi:
Kuno Fubuki, Miyasako Tamami, Ono Suzuka, Yamaguchi Ayako, Sato Ai, Nasu Maiko (capt), Haji Madoka, Kobayashi Makiko, Tsutsumi Saki, Noichi Aya, Sonomura Nana
Subs: Sakaguchi Sakie (Tsutsumi Saki, 68 mins), Matsunaga Yoshie (Sonomura Nana, 82 mins)
Unused subs: Sawada Norimi, Michikura Hiroko, Kiyohara Marie
Booked: Ono Suzuka