The 13th All Japan Women’s Futsal Tournament, which decides the best women’s futsal team in Japan, started on Friday 28 October. Sixteen teams from across the country participate in the championship for a shot at the title.

The first day of the tournament on 28 October saw 12 games in the first round.

In Group A, Leograsta (Kansai 2/Osaka) won two consecutive games 3-1, and are currently topping the group. FC Kouyama Ladies (Hosting City/Hokkaido), who reached the semi-finals last year, played out a scoreless draw in the first game with LETIZIA FEMMINILE (Chugoku/Okayama). Although the team struggled again to find the back of the net in the second game, IWASAKI Mami struck the opener in the second half, followed by three more goals. They beat Member of The Gang (Tokai 1/Mie) 4-0 in the end. The last games of the First Round will be held on Saturday 29 0ctober, and Leograsta will meet Kouyama Ladies to decide which teams advance.

Both the previous champions SWH Ladies Futsal Club (Kansai 3/Hyogo) and the former semi-finalists Veex Tokyo Ladies (Kanto 1/Tokyo) won two consecutive matches in Group B. The two teams earned the same six points and tied on goal difference with 7 goals, but SWH Ladies are currently topping the group on total score before the third group stage match.

In Group C, arco-iris KOBE (Kansai 1/Hyogo), who won the tournament two years ago, met Saikoro (Kanto 2/Saitama) in the first game. The match between teams in the Japan Women's Futsal League was high quality and exciting. Arco-iris won the game 3-1. Since Tokiwagi Gakuen High School (Tohoku 2/Miyagi) beat OWNGOAL (Hokushinetsu　2/Toyama) 3-1, two teams are currently in the lead.

There was a real upset in Group D. Fukui Maruoka Ruck (Hokushinetsu 1/Fukui), who advanced to the final in two consecutive championships and are favourites for the tournament this year, lost to FC ALEGRE CAMINHO (Kyushu/Saga) 2-0 in their first game. Now their chances of advancing to the final are limited. UNIAO Ladies (Tokai 2/Aichi) won a sweeping victory over Doraku (Shikoku/Kagawa) 5-0. More exciting games will be expected.

The rest of 12 games of the 1st Round will be held on the second day on Saturday 29 October in order to decide the four teams for the final round.

Coach's and Players' Comments

SHIRAHAMA Ami (FC Kouyama Ladies／Hokkaido)
It’s difficult to hold a practice session with all of our teammates. Having said that, each of us tried to find time to practice and to share our vision, which brought us victory in the second group stage match. Our aim is to reach the semi-finals two championships in a row. Although I really wanted to advance to the final round with three wins, we drew the first match. If we win the next one, it should be no problem. Just like Nippon-Ham Fighters, who are playing in the Japan Series, we can perform well under pressure. As Consadole Sapporo nearly won the title in the J2, I’d like to show what Hokkaido can do!

KOIDE Natsum (Veex Tokyo Ladies／Tokyo)
We struck the opener early in the second game, which was an improvement from the first match. We’re confident in combinations, as we had been practicing them every day. We scored two more goals towards the end of the match, when we threw everything into attack. So if have to do the same in tomorrow’s game, I’m sure it’ll work well. If we lose the third group stage match, we have to go home. So I’ll play hard.

KATO Masami (arco-iris KOBE／Kobe)
Since I believe the first game is vital, I prepared myself to focus the most in this tournament. There are many players in my team. So whenever I’m on the pitch, I always tried to perform 120%. Our challenge is starting now. As we’ll play two more games on 29 October, we’d like to earn three points each time as a united team, hoping to play the final against another Kansai team.

ONO Naoki, Coach (Saikoro／Saitama)
Although I pointed out that ‘you’re likely to concede a goal, when you’re intercepted while dribbling or passing in your own area. Let’s stay focused’, we let the opponent strike the opener. We levelled the game at the beginning of the second half, finding our rhythm. However, we conceded two more from simple mistakes. It was a shame. Since we are the representatives of Kanto, we’d like to win the remaining two games for sure.

JFA-TV (Japanese Version Only)

First-day Highllights (10/28)

13th All Japan Women's Futsal Tournament

2016-10-28(Fri.)～30(Sun.)
Hokkaido Prefectural Sports Center

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