The final of the 37th Empress's Cup on 27 December at Todoroki Stadium in Kanagawa saw a match between INAC Kobe and Albirex Niigata Ladies. INAC won the game 1-0, becoming the champions for the fifth time in total after a two-tournament break. The midfielder SAWA Homare, who announced her retirement after this season, scored the deciding goal.

20,379 people, the largest crowd at the tournament, came to see the final. It was a seesaw game between Niigata, who were up for avenging the defeat by INAC in the final of the 33rd tournament in 2011 and the 35th in 2013, and INAC, who wanted to finish the Cup with a victory ahead of Sawa’s retirement.

After five minutes, the midfielder NAKAJIMA Emi from INAC, who received a through ball from Sawa, fired a shot, only for it to be saved by the Niigata goalkeeper FUKUMURA Kanae.

INAC stayed ambitious for goals from the right side and the centre, aiming at the space behind the opponent’s defenders. However, Niigata defended well. The midfielder KAMIONOBE Megumi from Niigata led the team in attack, using the width of the pitch in the build-up. In the 24th minute, the midfielder SAEKI Aya headed the ball, reacting to a cross from the right side, but the goalkeeper KAIHORI Ayumi saved it.

Although Nakajima dribbled towards the goal and took a shot just before the first half ended, Fukumura once again defended it.

At the beginning of the second half, INAC earned several corner kicks, and Sawa attempted to head them home. After 78 minutes, Sawa finally had a goal-scoring opportunity from a corner kick. She later noted “I really wanted to score to finish the game.”

The forward OHNO Shinobu dribbled through the centre to earn a corner kick. As the midfielder KAWASUMI Nahomi commented later "I kicked it as though it were the last corner kick”, she sent the ball to the other side. Then Sawa, who moved away from her marker, ran towards the goal, and headed the ball home from height. Sawa has played in 205 games, scoring 83 goals, which is a record for both men’s and women’s football. She struck the deciding goal in her very last match, showing off her ability.

Although Niigata stayed ambitious to attack back, the accuracy of last passes and the attackers in front of the goals were not good enough to create goal-scoring opportunities.

In the 90th minute, just before the final whistle, the defender WATANABE Ayaka, who came off the bench, got through the left wing up front to pass a cross. Kamionobe on the other side received it to fire a shot with her left foot, only for it to go wide. They could not find the back of the net.

With the final whistle, the players including the ones on the bench ran towards Sawa to toss her into the air four times in celebration.

Sawa held the Empress’s trophy high with the captain Ohno on the podium. After the ceremony, she was given a bouquet of flowers by the Honorary Patron of the Japan Football Association Norihito Shinnohi Hisako, Princess Takamado and the President of the Japan Football Association DAINI Kuniya, and waved her hand to acknowledge the crowd.

Coach and Players' Comments

MATSUDA Takeo, Coach (INAC Kobe)
To be honest, the game didn’t go as we planned due to nervousness. Although we tried to make the opponent play off their pace, we ourselves occasionally lost our pace as well, as a result. We played three matches in a tight schedule, and we had problems in stamina and coordination. Having said that, the players tried harder to support each other, which brought us good results. We need Sawa, whenever we struggle. She struck a goal to decide the match. I truly think she is a great player. She has an amazing sense for predicting where the ball might be, moving herself towards it before the opponent. It is a superb talent. Without Sawa next year, I have to say that we’ll struggle to fill the void.

NONAKA Futoshi, Coach (Albirex Niigata Ladies)
Both of the teams had chances to win, and the game was very close. However, we let Sawa strike a superb goal, letting the opponent build a lead. Despite our goal-scoring opportunities, we couldn’t find the back of the net. The quality of our plays in front of the goal was the difference. I’m really frustrated that we lost, but I’m proud of the players, who never gave up, playing Niigata style until the end.

MF  SAWA Homare (INAC Kobe)
I’m over the moon that we won the final, which was my finale before retiring, and achieved our goal to win the Empress Cup. I stayed ambitious for goals. I’m honestly happy that I could finish with a good result. As I realised there was some space on the other side, I told my teammates that I’d be there, which worked out quite well. After today’s game, I have no regrets before my retirement. I’m grateful that I have been able to continue playing football, which I love, and gained many good results. I’m happy with what I’ve achieved.

FW  OHNO Shinobu (INAC Kobe)
We’d been struggling this season, not being able to win the tournament. So I’m very pleased that we won this Cup. As we encouraged ourselves prior to the game, “we must claim the title for Sawa. She cannot retire without it.” I’m really glad we finished with a good result.

DF  KINGA Yukari (INAC Kobe)
We knew “Sawa would lead us to victory”, and she did. She proved what she has been practicing. Not once have I seen her play without her full concentration, even in everyday practice sessions. She is what a genuine professional football player should be like. I treasure my experiences with her and I will tell it to others from now on.

MF  KAMIONOBE Megumi (Albirex Niigata Ladies)
I feel frustrated, as I wanted to win the Cup and I wanted to toss our coach into the air before he retires. I think it was the closest match to claim the title. We could show our style to a certain extent, but we should reduce our careless mistakes and improve communication among ourselves to play better.

JFA-TV (Japanese version only)

Final　INAC Kobe vs Albirex Niigata Ladies  Highlight

The 37th Empress's Cup

Final  12-27 (Sun.)　Todoroki Athletic Stadium/Kanagawa
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