JEF UNITED ICHIHARA CHIBA LADIES finished the 2015 season of the Nadeshiko League Division 1 in fourth place, while they dropped to seventh this year. Their poor performance (with 2 wins, 1 draw, and 4 losses) in the latter part of the season impacted their final ranking. One notable difference was the number of conceded goals—the team allowed 24 goals this season, while only 12 in the previous season. One of the important factors in winning the title will be how much they can improve their defence led by the national squad goalkeeper, YAMANE Erina, during the one-month break between the third round and the quarter-finals.

Key players are noted goalkeeper Yamane and striker SUGASAWA Yuika. Both of them play for the Japan Women’s National Team and their performance has a significant impact on team’s offence and defence. Still another prominent player is FUKASAWA Risa wearing No. 10 jersey. The important statistics here is that if either Sugasawa or Fukasawa scores a goal, then their probability of winning the match will be above 70%. Furthermore, they contributed to 80% of the goals scored for the team. JEF will need their scoring power if they were to win the Empress Cup.

We are also seeing younger players coming up from their academy team this year. KAMOGAWA Miho and ANZAI Yuka were promoted to the top team and established themselves as starting-eleven players after gaining match experiences. These young prospects are becoming the ‘energisers’ for the team.

However, the team need contribution from every player on the pitch. When the national-level goalkeeper and strikers are supported by their teammates and if they can coordinate their efforts effectively, then they can surpass the result of being a runner-up in the Nadeshiko League Cup and become the champions hoisting the Empress’s Cup trophy.

JFA-TV (Japanese version only)

Empress' Cup Quarter-finals (12/17)

Fixtures and Results (Japanese version only)

38th Empress's Cup All Japan Women's Football Tournament

2016-10-22(Sat.) ～ 2016-12-25(Sun.)
Quarter-finals：17 December (Sat.)　Yurtec Stadium Sendai・Pikara Stadium (Kagawa Prefecture Marugame Stadium)
Semi-finals：23 December(Fri.)　Ajinomoto Field Nishigaoka 
Final：25 December(Sun.)　Fukuda Denshi Arena

Tournament Information
Ticket Information (Japanese version only)