On 5 November, the 4 remaining third-round matches of the 38th Empress's Cup All Japan Women's Football Tournament were held.

Pick-up Matches

Albirex Niigata Ladies (Nadeshiko League Division1／Niigata) 1-0（0-0, 0-0, ext. 1-0, 0-0）CHIFURE AS ELFEN SAITAMA (Nadeshiko League Division2／Saitama)

In the first game at the Coca Cola West Hiroshima Stadium, the last year’s runners-up Albirex Niigata Ladies (Nadeshiko Division 1/ Niigata) faced CHIFURE AS ELFEN SAITAMA (Nadeshiko Division 2/ Saitama). Chifure have been gaining momentum as they finished in second place of the Nadeshiko League (Japan Women’s Professional League) Division 2 and claimed the playoff spot to play the promotion/relegation matches against the first division team.

Chifure were the team who created the first scoring chance. In the 16th minute, receiving a pass right in front of the goal, AZAMI Rie broke through and attempted a loop shot, but was denied by a fine save made by the opposing goalkeeper. Thereafter, Chifure defended solidly and persistently especially when the ball reached the backline, and they looked for their opportunities to strike the opener from executing quick counter-attacks.

On the other hand, Albirex controlled the match by having better possession of the ball, but failed to create their scoring chances as the opponents defended tenaciously in the backline. Their first chance to fire the opener came in the 35th minute, as KAMIONOBE Megumi attempted directly from a free kick, but they could not capitalise on it.

Entering the second half, Albirex threatened the opponents’ goal from a free kick in the 50th minute, but still could not find the target. Thereafter, Albirex constructed few more chances as SAEKI Aya tried to score from breaking through the opposing defence with her individual skills and substitute SAITO Yuri, finding the open space behind the backline, got through on goal, but failed to add the finishing touch to change the scoreline.

Then, in the 78th minute, they conceded a free kick to Chifure, who tried to capitalise on this set play, but were denied by the goal post. The match stayed in the balance until the whistle signaling the end of regulation time and went into extra time scoreless.

The game-changer came in the opening minutes of the extra time, where Albirex off the corner kick from the left side scored the much-awaited opener. In the 2nd minute of the extra time, KAWASAKI Saya found the loose ball from a goalmouth scramble and slotted home the first goal of the match. Both teams defended solidly and they entered the intermission with the score of 1-0 in favour of Albirex.

In their attempt to score an equaliser in the second overtime, Chifure changed their offensive tactics and placed forward Azami as a sole forward to capitalise on her speed. Furthermore, they send in DOI Asuka, who could utilise her height advantage to win the long ball upfront and also feed the pass towards the opponents’ goal. However, their efforts to tie the game were unsuccessful. Albilex edged the thrilling contest 1-0 and advanced to the quarter-finals.

Match Details (Japanese version only)

Pick-up Matches 2

NOJIMA STELLA KANAGAWA SAGAMIHARA (Nadeshiko League Division2／Kanagawa) 3-1（0-1, 3-0）Okayama Yunogo Belle (Nadeshiko League Division1／Okayama)

The second match at the Coca Cola West Hiroshima Stadium saw the meeting between the two contrasting teams, NOJIMA STELLA KANAGAWA SAGAMIHARA (Nadeshiko Division 2/ Kanagawa), who became the Division 2 Nadeshiko League champions and secured the spot in the top division, and Okayama Yunogo Belle (Nadeshiko Division 1/ Okayama), who got relegated to the second division next season.

Yunogo Belle displayed their high motivation even during the warming-up exercises and came out aggressively threatening the opposing goal from the beginning of the match. Then, in the 6th minute, from putting relentless pressure on the opponents, they stole the ball upfront and quickly advanced forward, earning a free kick. It was then from this scoring chance that they found NOICHI Aya, who successfully opened the scoring for Yunogo Belle. Thereafter, they had stretches where they faced fierce attacks from the opponents, but edged the first-half 1-0.

However, Nojima took the initiative in the second half. Despite the opponents’ aggressive pressure from the front line, they strung passes evading the defenders and advanced the ball forward. Then, in the 62nd minute, from a well-coordinated play on the left flank, they drove the ball into the box, where ISHIDA Minami, surging from the other end, found the loose ball from a goalmouth scramble and struck an equaliser for Nojima.

Two minutes later, Nojima turned the match around. Building-up the offence similarly from the left side, substitute KUDO Asami applied the finishing touch to score the go-ahead goal. They continued to control the match by moving the ball effectively using the entire pitch. Then, from a corner kick, Ishida, who threatened the opponents’ goal numerous times from the first half, scored her second and stretched their lead to 3-1.

The scoreboard remained the same until the final whistle and Nojima advanced to the quarter-finals.

Match Details (Japanese version only)

Coach's and Players Comments

MORI Shuzo, Interim Coach (Okayama Yunogo Belle)
After the opening goal, we made several chances. However, Nojima adjusted their tactics in the second half and they started to move the ball around very well using the entire pitch. While they successfully evaded our press defence, we were unable to find our rhythm. They found open players upfront, and then we were forced to defend on our end.

KAMIONOBE Megumi (Albirex Niigata Ladies)
We expected Chifure to kick off the match with high motivation, considering that they will have the promotion/relegation matches soon. In fact, we had rough stretches from their strong pressure in the first half, but we discussed that we should be patient and waited for our opportunities to create scoring chances.

The match went to extra time, but I think we attained the positive result due to our patience. The fact that we won the thrilling knock-out contest will bring us confidence for the subsequent matches. We will work hard as a team and make the best preparation possible for the quarterfinal, correcting the issues found today.

ITO Kanako (CHIFURE AS ELFEN SAITAMA)
This was our first meeting against the Division 1 team this season. We discussed we need to give all we have to compete against them. In the beginning of the match, we had stretches where we threatened the opponents, but Albirex came on top of the match by scoring from a set piece. I believe there is still a gap between Albirex and us. This is the end of tournament for us, but we have the important promotion/relegation matches starting next week. I told my teammates prior to the match that regardless of our performance, winning means everything. This is especially true in the knock-out stage of the tournament or the promotion/relegation matches. We may have performed well today, but we still needed to find the way to edge a close contest. This is not the end for us, and we will now focus our mind on the upcoming promotion/relegation matches.

ISHIDA Minami (NOJIMA STELLA KANAGAWA SAGAMIHARA)
We didn’t want to finish our season by losing today’s match, thinking about our team members who weren’t selected to play today. We talked this over as the team prior to the game and also during the half-time break. I think that these discussions which allowed us to keep a high-level of concentration throughout the match resulted in a win today. I believe that we won’t succeed in Division 1 next season, if we couldn’t post a win today.

In the first half we were pressured by the opponents, but we managed to defeat them by playing our style of football. This will bring us some confidence. (When I slotted the opener,) I had a strong determination to score. From the quarter-finals, we will be competing against top-flight Nadeshiko powerhouses. We will make the best preparation possible not only to win the tournament, but also thinking ahead of the next season.

Other Third Round Fixtures (11/5)

Third Round Fixtures (11/6)

Fixtures and Results (Japanese version only)

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

2016-10-22(Sat.)～2016-12-25(Sun.)

Tournament Information