The 37th Empress’s Cup All Japan Women’s Football Tournament had four quarter-final matches on Saturday 19 December to determine the four teams advancing to the semi-finals.

Pick-up Match 1

AS Elfen Saitama　0-2 (0-2, 0-0)　INAC Kobe

AS Elfen Saitama (Nadeshiko League First Division/Saitama) took on INAC Kobe (Nadeshiko League First Division/Hyogo) as they geared up defensively. INAC Kobe, however, had KINGA Yukari took the ball up on the right flank in the 9th minute to fed crosses one after another. Eventually she headed a deflection from an opponent into the goal herself to open the scoring.

Ten minutes after that, INAC’s TAKASE Megumi struck without hesitation from long-range into the far side of the goal net off a loose ball after KAWASUMI Nahomi’s fierce mid-range shot. INAC acquired the early two-goal lead.

Even with the cushion, INAC did not loosen their effective ball movement and kept attacking aggressively the space behind AS Saitama’s backline. Kawasumi and NAKAJIMA Emi were leading their team’s effort to maintain the tempo of their offence by boldly running around the midfield.

In the second half, against AS Saitama attempting their defence at rather higher places on the pitch than the first half, INAC Kobe continued creating chances by taking the full use of their wings. SAWA Homare, who announced a few days earlier her retirement at the upcoming season-end, put her effort into the team’s collective defence.

Late in the match when her team started showing signs of fatigue, she then turned more to feeding timely passes to her teammates. Even though no more goals were added, INAC Kobe dominated the match by firing as many as 11 shots, more than in the first half, to move on to the semi-final.

Match details (Japanese version only)

Pick-up Match 2

Nippon TV Beleza　4-1 (2-0, 2-1)　Iga FC Kunoichi

Nippon TV Beleza (Nadeshiko League First Division/Tokyo), who had just won this season’s Nadeshiko League’s Division 1, were still in good form for the match, showcasing crisp offence. Although the opposing Iga FC Kunoichi (Nadeshiko League First Division/Mie) kept putting pressure on the ball in full force, Beleza effectively moved the ball to parry it.

In the 13th minute, MOMIKI Yuka beautifully put her shot into the back of the net to grab the first lead for Beleza. Later in the 34th minute, SAKAGUCHI Mizuho fed the ball vertically for TANAKA Mina, who struck her shot from the goal line to widen the margin to two goals.

Iga FC sent Gloria DOUGLAS, a robust striker, onto the pitch to be the ball target, which helped Iga FC turn more attention to kicking the ball forward. Then in the 67th minute, they gained the first corner kick opportunity of this match after robbing the ball in the opponents’ end.

Iga FC converted this rare chance and cut the deficit to one goal when Douglas scored out of the scramble. But it was not enough to turn around Beleza’s dominance, who scored one goal each before and after the Iga’s first goal including Momiki’s second goal of the day in the 80th minute. Beleza safely protected the large lead and clinched the spot in the next round.

Match details (Japanese version only)

The semi-finals will be held on Wednesday 23 December at Todoroki Athletic Stadium.

Coach and Players' Comments

SAWA Homare (INAC Kobe)
I am just happy simply with the win. (Speaking of her teammates being nervous due to her retirement announcement) We are supposed to play every match with this kind of sense of urgency. It was very good that we were able to score goals early. I was ready to play mentally and physically for this match just as I always try to be. So I was able to play as I usually do. I know that every match we have left will not be easy at all. In practice I will try to prepare with these teammates to show 100% of our ability in those matches.

TAKASE Megumi (INAC Kobe)
As much as our opponents stay back defensively, we expected that there would be an open vital area for us. But what we did to break down their defence after we got into those area lacked perfection, I think. But on top of those, being able to grab this win is important. Speaking of my shot, before I took it, Kawasumi and OHNO Shinobu made good plays and passes. I think they are the reasons why the ball came to me.

Now I team up with Ohno up front, and we try to work together as we always make sure the distance between us and how each other moves. The fact that the ball came to me this time is the result of all those small efforts. We were able to have good practices in the interval we had before this match just as we usually do. I think we will be able to win the championship as long as we can show what we have worked on in this season including the league matches. I will do my best.

YOSHIDA Hiroshi, Coach (As Elfen Saitama)
We should have been more patient and defended more thoroughly. We had some moments when we charged to the ball and that allowed the opponents to attack behind us. It would have been better, if we could have defended longer without giving away goals until them getting impatient. We allowed that opening goal too early.

We knew they were a better team. So our game plan was to let the final 15 minutes of the match decide the outcome. We also had a penalty shootout in our consideration. In this tournament, players as well as all the staff members really wanted to win the championship, so it’s disappointing.

KIM Jong dall, Coach (Iga FC Kunoichi)
We thought the match would be very tough for us unless we successfully put pressure on the ball up front. That’s why we kept chasing the ball as we always do. Based on that, we also were going to stay back defensively according to the course of the match. We wanted to hold on to 0-0 at least for the first 20 minutes of the match, but we conceded the first goal early.

In the second half, we subbed Douglas in to let her be the clear focal point of our offence up front. We could have done that earlier, because we were struggling to find open space. Our opponents were a few levels better than us today, and they didn’t let us play to our strength.

Other Matches

Albirex Niigata Ladies  2-0 (0-0, 2-0)   JEF United Ichihara Chiba Ladies
Vegalta Sendai Ladies  0-0 (0-0, 0-0、extra 1st 0-0, extra 2nd 0-0, PSO 5-3)   Urawa Reds Ladies Youth

JFA-TV (Japanese version only)

AS Elfen Saitama  vs  INAC Kobe Highlight

Nippon TV Beleza  vs  Iga FC Kunoichi Highlight

The 37th Empress's Cup

Final: 12-27 (Sun.)　Todoroki Athletic Stadium/Kanagawa
Semi-Final: 12-23 (Wed.)　Todoroki Athletic Stadium/Kanagawa
11:00　Vegalta Sendai Ladies  vs  INAC Kobe
14:00　Nippon TV Beleza  vs  Albirex Niigata Ladies

More information