The 2nd Round matches of the 37th Empress's Cup were held at four sites on Saturday 14 November. The winners in the 1st Round met the teams from Nadeshiko League, who played their first game in this championship.

Pick-up Match 1

Albirex Niigata Ladies (Nadeshiko League First Division/Niigata)  5-0 (1-0, 4-0)  Urawa Reds Ladies Youth (Kanto/Saitama)

Urawa Reds Ladies Youth (Kanto/Saitama), who beat JFA Academy Fukushima (Tokai/Shizuoka) on penalties in the 1st Round, met Albirex Niigata Ladies (Nadeshiko League First Division/Niigata). Five players from Urawa played for the U-16 Japan Women's National Team that recently booked a place in the final of the AFC U-16 Women's Championship China 2015.

Just as SHIMOYAMA Kaoru, the coach of Urawa, commented: “we tried our best to keep a clean sheet in the first half”, Urawa did not let the opponent get through the defensive line. Although Niigata, on the other hand, struggled to create a goal-scoring opportunity due to the fact that they were playing into a strong wing, they had the lion’s share of possession. Then in the 37th minute, Niigata earned a free kick near the penalty area. The captain KAMIONOBE Megumi directly scored the opener in the right-hand corner with her left foot.

In the second half, Niigata attacked even more. After 60 minutes, OISHI Sayaka reacted to a cross from SAEKI Aya, who got through on the left wing, and knocked the ball into the goal. In the 69th minute, KAWASAKI Saya scored from a penalty kick, building a three-goal lead. Though Urawa substituted some players up front, they struggled to attack back and let the opponent get through their defensive line. At the end of the game, Oishi took a shot in the 80th minute, and SAITO Yuri in the 83rd minute, adding more insurance. Albirex Niigata Ladies won the game to get through the 2nd Round.

Match details (Japanese version only)

Pick-up Match 2

Nojima Stella Kanagawa Sagamihara (Nadeshiko League Second Division/Kanagawa)  3-1  (0-0, 3-1)  Nippon TV Menina (Kanto/Tokyo)

Nippon TV Menina (Kanto/Tokyo), who participated in this championship for the first time in five years and got through to the 2nd Round, met Nojima Stella Kanagawa Sagamihara (Nadeshiko League Second Division/Kanagawa). Four players of Nippon TV Menina were away for the AFC U-16 Women's Championship just like Urawa Reds Ladies Youth and they expected a tough match. 

However, the team went head-to-head or even stronger in both attack and defence in the centre against the opponent, keeping a clean sheet in the first half. The coach TERATANI Mayumi later noted: “the players, who got an opportunity to be on the pitch today, showed their spirit, maximizing their opportunity, and played desperately.”

Menina earned a left corner kick in the 66th minute, and HARA Ibuki reacted to a loose ball to strike the opener from the centre. Nojima Stella, however, attacked back soon after that. NAGASAWA Madoka, who came off the bench, scored the equaliser, levelling the game. 

The seesaw match moved on after 74 minutes, when MINAMINO Arisa from Nojima Stella fired a strong shot to decide the game. Nojima Stella stayed ambitious for more goals, sending more players up front. Then in the 90th minute, YOSHIMI Natsuki scored an insurance goal and Nojima Stella won the match. The average age of the Menina players, who started game, was 15.4 years old. Although they pressed and gave Nojima Stella a difficult time, they fell just one step short of getting through to the 3rd Round. 

Match details (Japanese version only)

Other Matches

Nippon TV Beleza (Nadeshiko League First Division/Tokyo)   3-1 (1-1, 2-0)   Fujieda Junshin High School (Tokai/Shizuoka)
AS Harima ALBION (Nadeshiko League Second Division/Hyogo)   2-2 (PSO: 0-3) (0-0, 2-2, extra 1st 0-0, extra 2nd 0-0, PSO 0-3)   Waseda University (Kanto/Tokyo)
Speranza FC Osaka Takatsuki (Nadeshiko League First Division/Osaka)   6-0 (2-0, 4-0)   NGU Nagoya FC Ladies (Tokai/Aichi)
Nittaidai Fields Yokohama (Nadeshiko League Second Division/Kanagawa)   5-1 (2-0, 3-1)   Kamimura Gakuen High School (Kyushu/Kagoshima)
JEF United Ichihara Chiba Ladies (Nadeshiko League First Division/Chiba)   1-0 (0-0, 1-0)   Sfida Setagaya FC (Nadeshiko League Second Division/Tokyo)
Vegalta Sendai Ladies (Nadeshiko League First Division/Miyagi)   3-0 (0-0, 3-0)   Japan Soccer College Ladies (Nadeshiko League Second Division/Niigata)

Coach and Players' Comments

SHIMOYAMA Kaoru, Coach (Urawa Reds Ladies Youth)
Although we conceded a goal from a set piece, we aimed to minimise losses in the second half and we started fairly well. As one of our aims was to play against a team in the Nadeshiko League, I’m honestly pleased to be here. I learned the strengths of the Nadeshiko League team by watching the match – their quick judgement and varied options. There were junior high school pupils in our team. So I hope this experience gives them something for the future.

KAMIONOBE Megumi (Albirex Niigata Ladies)
As we had the wind at our back, I expected we’d end up at 0-0 in the first half. It meant a lot that we struck the opener at a good point in the first half, after staying patient. We didn’t start the game well today, but we gathered ourselves up in the second half. We finished the previous championship in the quarterfinals. So we aim to get through the quarterfinals this time, so that we can play in the final. I’d like to build up positive momentum for us with today’s victory in preparation for the coming match.

TERATANI Mayumi, Coach (Nippon TV Menina)
I expected a tough game, as some of our first string side were away playing in the U-16 Japan Women's National Team. Having said that, I’d like to point out all the players put in a better performance than I expected. The opponent passed the ball around just like our team, but they focused on the target from the first half. As we still have the Kanto Ladies Soccer League as well as the All Japan Women’s Youth Championship this season, we’d like to prepare ourselves and bring in to our game what we’ve learned in this championship.

KANNO Masaaki, Coach (Nojima Stella Kanagawa Sagamihara)
We have been playing aggressively so far. Staying ambitious for goals and scoring three led us to victory, despite the fact that the opponent struck the opener. Although the season of the Nadeshiko League Division2 was over, there will be play-off matches to decide which teams will be promoted or relegated. The players stay mentally and physically fit for that. We’ll be challengers in the next match, but I believe we have a chance to win. I’d like to surprise everyone by playing well and winning the game.

JFA-TV (Japanese version only)

The 37th Empress's Cup

Sat.7 November 2015 - Sun. 27 December 2015
More information