22nd All-Japan Women's Inter-Collegiate Championships - Semi-Finals

Semi Final Matches, played on Friday 17th of January:

Match 21:
Tokyo International University  1 - 2  University of Tsukuba
(Attendance: 950)

Neither side was expected to reach the semi-finals of this competition and with nothing to lose both were determined to take the opportunity to reach their first final. It was Tsukuba who did most of the attacking in the first half however, as TIU failed to get to grips with the pace of the game. Yokoyama Ai caught the eye most in the first half, and she provided the two goals in the second which won the game for Tsukuba, both coming down the left hand side. TIU had a lifeline with just a minute to go, Aizawa Yuuri putting away a chance Tsukuba goalkeeper Kunika Shoko will feel she should have caught. Time ran out for the Inter-Collegiate newcomers, and it was Tsukuba who did just enough to hold on for the win which takes them through to their first final.

Endo Reira looks to clear for TIU, who were under pressure throughout the first half

Yokoyama Ai (#18) sees her shot saved by TIU goalkeeper Kimura Miki

Left: At 176 cm in height, Ikeue Nao (#47) was by far the tallest player on the pitch, alongside her is Tsukuba's Sugahara Haruka.
Centre: Otake Nami attempted to reorganise things once her side went behind
Right: TIU's Tanaka Hitomi and Tsukuba's Satou Chihiro

A rare chance for TIU from a corner kick is punched away by Kunika Shoko

Kimura is powerless to stop Yokoyama's fine shot from finding the top corner of the net

The breaking of the deadlock came as a great relief to the Tsukuba players

Fujita Mio looks to attack, with Akiyama Misora in hot pursuit

Yokoyama scores her second just two minutes after her first, from a similar position

Kimura was again beaten by the power and precision of the shot

Tokyo International University:
Kimura Miki, Koizumi Rena, Otsuka Aiko, Tanaka Hitomi, Ogawa Haruka, Ikeue Nao, Endo Reira, Fujita Mio, Sugimoto Shiori, Aizawa Yuuri (capt), Shou Yuuna
Subs: Noda Moeka (Shou Yuuna, 66 mins), Azuma Asahi (Endo Reira, 75 mins), Kurazono Ai (Sugimoto Shiori, 78 mins)
Unused subs: Hayashi Fumika, Teramoto Chiseko, Takeda Shiori, Iohara Midori
Scorers: Aizawa Yuuri (89 mins)

University of Tsukuba:
Kunika Shouko, Sato Chihiro, Toyokawa Kie, Sugahara Haruka, Setoguchi Kozue, Yamamori Anna, Taira Remi, Otomo Akane (capt), Akiyama Misora, Yokoyama Ai, Tamakoshi Asahi
Subs: Arai Yurika (Tamakoshi Asahi, 59 mins), Fujimoto Mao (Toyokawa Kie, 69 mins), Saito Kanae (Yamamori Anna, 83 mins)
Unused subs: Kawahara Fusako, Ashizawa Hiromi, Sakihara Hitomi, Masumitsu Ayano
Scorers: Yokoyama Ai (73, 75 mins)
Booked: Yokoyama Ai, Otomo Akane


Match 22:
Kibi International University  2 - 0  Osaka University of Health and Sport Sciences
(Attendance: 1,373)

Kibi International University reached their first Inter-Collegiate final with a straightforward win over three-time champions Osaka University of Health and Sport Sciences today, and will be heavy favourites to take the title on Sunday. Kurakazu Shiho got the Okayama side off to a tremendous start when she dribbled down the left and unleashed a fearsome shot into the net over Osaka 'keeper Sugimoto Aoi in the sixth minute. Osaka looked for a way back into the game, but were in truth no match for the Kibi side. With seven minutes remaining Kibi finally had a second goal to end it as a contest, Takatsuka Ayane striking well into the bottom left corner of the net.

Following an ambitious dribble down the left, Kurakazu Shiho unleashes a powerful shot...

which is too well placed for Osaka's Sugimoto Aoi to save

First year Kibi student Hamamoto Marin made an impression on the Nadeshiko League this season,
though she wasn't at her best in this game

Shigemasa Kai clears for Kibi, almost catching 'keeper Morimoto Kiyo in the process

Hamamoto gets ahead of Miyamoto Yuuka to attempt a diving header, with Sugimoto saving

In front of goal, Takatsuka Ayane blasts high and wide following a good Kibi move

Osaka's main threat came from set plays, here the tall Honda Yuka challenges Kamata Ran (#2) and goalkeeper Morimoto Kiyo

The Osaka defence is powerless to stop Takatsuka Ayane's shot from reaching the net; with just seven minutes remaining Kibi's two goal lead looked unassailable

Kibi International University:
Morimoto Kiyo, Kamata Ran, Takeda Arisa, Kadota Rui, Takano Saki, Shigemasa Kai, Yoshitake Manami, Sugita Ami (capt), Takatsuka Ayane, Hamamoto Marin, Kurakazu Shiho
Subs: Kanbara Misaki (Kurakazu Shiho, 72 mins), Adachi Eriko (Hamamoto Marin, 76 mins), Yoshida Mayu (Yoshitake Manami, 85 mins)
Unused subs: Isashi Kaede, Miyake Ayumi, Oka Misako, Komatsu Mina
Scorers: Kurakazu Shiho (6 mins), Takatsuka Ayane (83 mins)

Osaka University of Health and Sport Sciences:
Sugimoto Aoi, Kusano Shiho, Kato Mizuho, Matsuoka Sayuri, Miyamoyo Yuuka, Okamoto Rina (capt), Mihashi Mana, Yoshitani Akane, Honda Yuka, Sato Rina, Nunoyama Misato
Subs: Ebisu Kaho (Yoshitani Akane, 67 mins), Kashima Yui (Nunoyama Misato, 83 mins)
Unused subs: Anjiki Yuki, Motofuji Risa, Ukai Saki, Kuwahara Akane, Ishikawa Yuu
Booked: Okamoto Rina


Final Match, to be played on Sunday 19th of January:

Match 23:
University of Tsukuba versus Kibi International University