The 26th All Japan Ladies Football Tournament had its second day on Saturday 21 March at Tokinosumika Sports Centre in Susono, Shizuoka.

The final matches of the qualifying round and Round 1 of the tournaments by rankings was held on the day.

Reigning champions Azure Hyogo (Kansai 1/ Hyogo), who had won two straight matches in Group A, scored four goals against Tonakai Leadies F.C. (Kyushu 1/ Fukuoka) to pass through the qualifying round atop. In Group B, FC BB (Kanto 3/ Saitama) and Kochi ganador FC (Shikoku/ Kochi), both of who had won two matches in a row, went head-to-head for top spot in the final match of the qualifying round. FC BB edged Kochi 2-1 with a last-grasp goal in the 48th minute. Group C leaders USED FC TDS (Kansai 3/ Osaka) and Group D leaders Shimizu FC Ladies (Tokai/ Shizuoka) sealed the third consecutive victory to advance to the next round atop.

In Round 1 of the tournament among first placed teams from each group, Azure Hyogo netted three goals including UMEBAYASHI Sachi’s free kick in the 4th minute. Despite conceding a goal from a late penalty kick, the Hyogo side cruised to a 3-1 victory over FC BB and roared to the consecutive title at stake in one final match. In the other match of the tournament, Shimizu and USED FC clashed with each other. After opening a goal from a corner kick and adding one more just after the break, SHIMIZU gave up a goal in the second half to allow the opponents to close a gap to one goal. USED FC rallied back to attack further, but Shimizu played it out to keep their lead and made a final match berth. 

In Round 1 of the second-place tournament, Nagano Friends (Hokushinetsu/ Nagano), who clinched third place last year, went up first with the first shot of the match in the 13th minute. Although Nagano failed to post a shot after that, they eventually outplayed 2012 runners-up Oideyasu Kyoto (Kansai 2/ Kyoto), who kept showing fightback. Nagano face Kochi ganador FC (Shikoku/ Kochi) in the final of the second-place tournament.

The final of the third-place tournament is played between FC Benibana (Tohoku 1/ Yamagata), who notched a comeback 3-2 win over Hiroshima FC Ladies (Chugoku/ Hiroshima) despite allowing a lead twice, and 2012 champions Tokyo Artemis SC (Kanto 1/ Tokyo).
In the fourth-place tournament final, FC Mummys (Kanto 2/ Kanagawa) meet Okinawa-ken Ladies (Kyushu 2/ Okinawa).
The final day on Sunday 22 March has finals and third-placed matches of each ranking’s tournament as all the 16 participating teams play their final match.

Comments

SEKI Yumiko (FC Benibana/ Yamagata)
This is our third appearance in the tournament as a joint team. Because we only played the fourth-place tournament in the past, we were talking to each other to advance to at least the second or third place one, if not the first place. Yamagata’s football playing environment for children has finally been better, and I started playing football when I was 35 years old to help moms who struggled to gather members. It’s fun and I’m happy to play the same sport with young people. I used to be a referee as well. That’s because I continue to play football. I enjoy this tournament facing players from all over the country. A lot of players bring their children here with them. I want to show such things to players in our prefecture as well.

OYAMA Yuriko (Tokyo Artemis SC)
We now play the ninth straight year with almost the same squad. Everyone in the team likes this team and football very much and continues it while she has a job or does housework. When you get older, you run slower and kick the ball less powerfully, but I play as I hope to prove the fact you can play compact and passing football even when you become 30s or 40s. There are some times when I feel disappointed at this tournament, and the Kanto region tournament is also tough. Even so, I set a goal to come back here again. To play in 10 straight years, we will talk to each other hoping to come back again next year and keep up our work from now on as well.

NAKAHODO Nanae (Okinawa-ken Ladies)
Almost all our teammates started playing football when they were in high school. Such players came back and made up the team. It’s interesting my teammates’ habit and playing style hasn’t changed. When We were young, some of us say they want to do other fun things, but they become an adult and join the team as they say they want to play football again. Football is a team sport. It’s fun to play with a common understanding, and its tactics is dense. Looking at various styles, I feel fresh when I find out “Oh, we can play like this way.” This tournament is our goal. Our motto is to be careful of injury, but I want to win and smile in the final match before going home.

JFA-TV

Tournament by rankings – First group final – Live Streaming

Azure Hyogo (Kansai 1/ Hyogo) vs Shimizu FC Ladies (Tokai/ Shizuoka)
22 March 2015 14:00 Kick Off
Tokinosumika Sports Center Susono Ground (Shizuoka/Susono) A pitch

Check out live streaming here

※Please be informed in advance that live streaming may be unavailable due to internet connection or other circumstances.
※Please note that streaming time is subject to change due to the duration of the previous match.

The 26th All Japan Ladies Football Tournament

Fri 20 March 2015 ~ Sun 22 March 2015 
Tokinosumika Sports Center Susono Ground (Shizuoka/Susono) 

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