The Empress's Cup JFA 41st Japan Women's Football Championship Semi-finals are about to take place on Sunday 22 December at NACK5 Stadium Omiya.

The first fixture will kick-off at 15:00, where Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies (Nadeshiko1/Saitama) will square off against INAC Kobe Leonessa (Nadeshiko1/Hyogo). Urawa have advanced to the semi-finals by winning an away game against Mynavi Vegalta Sendai Ladies (Nadeshiko1/Miyagi) 1-0.

INAC Kobe have also won their quarterfinal match against Nojima Stella Kanagawa Sagamihara (Nadeshiko1/Kanagawa) 1-0, where MIYAKE Shiori scored the game winner from a set-piece. Both teams have kept clean sheets in the three matches leading to the semi-finals, therefore, a single goal will have great significance in this matchup.

The second fixture will kick-off at 18:00, where Chifure AS Elfen Saitama (Nadeshiko2/Saitama) will face the defending champions Nippon TV Beleza (Nadeshiko1/Tokyo).

Despite being the only team remaining from the second division of the Nadeshiko League, Elfen Saitama have gained great momentum from their third round victory over Albirex Niigata Ladies (Nadeshiko1/Niigata) and quarterfinal victory over Orca Kamogawa FC (Nadeshiko2/Chiba). With the team clinching their first ever semi-finals appearance, they are definitely a force to be reckoned with.

On the other hand, Nippon TV have won their third title of the season by taking home the title at the AFC Women's Club Championship 2019 FIFA/AFC Pilot Tournament held in Korea Republic. After returning to Japan, the team have won back to back games against Nippatsu Yokohama FC Seagulls (Nadeshiko2/Kanagawa) and Nittaidai FIELDS Yokohama (Nadeshiko1/Kanagawa), where they scored five goals in each match. Following their quarterfinal match, the players emphasised that the “Joy is exceeding the fatigue.”

Urawa will be seeking to reach their first final since 2014, while Elfen Saitama will be seeking for their first ever final appearance. The past 12 Empress's Cup titles have been shared between Nippon TV and INAC Kobe. It will be interesting to see who will advance to the final through these enticing matchups.

Empress's Cup JFA 41st Japan Women's Football Championship

Tournament Dates: Sat. 2 November - Sun. 29 December 2019
【1st Round】Sat. 2 & Sun. 3 November
【2nd Round】Sat. 23 & Sun. 24 November
【3rd Round】Sat. 30 November & Sun. 1 December
【Quarterfinals】Sun. 8 December
【Semi-Finals】Sun. 22 December
【Final】Sun. 29 December

Tournament Information