Saturday 31 December saw the 2nd Round of the 25th All Japan High School Women's Football Championship in Hyogo prefecture.

Pick-up Match 1

Seiwa Gakuen High School　2-0（0-0, 2-0）St. Capitanio Girl's High School

The first match was between Seiwa Gakuen High School (Tohoku 2/Miyagi) and St. Capitanio Girl's High School (Tokai 3/Aichi) at a sub-ground in Goshikidai Athletic Park. St. Capitanio tried to move two strikers towards the space behind the opponents’ defensive line with simple passes, but the timing and accuracy of passing was not good enough. Seiwa Gakuen’s defenders continued to defend the goal by clearing the ball away.

Seiwa Gakuen, on the other hand, could not send the ball up front even though they kept possession. They could not take a single shot for 15 minutes after the kick-off. SHIMOYAMA Riko stood out by passing the ball to initiate attacks, displaying her awareness for shots. She had five shots throughout the game, the highest number in the team, including a long-distance one in the 32nd minute.

The match finally changed in the second half. In the 49th minute, Shimoyama of Seiwa Gakuen went close to the opponents’ goal and the team reacted to the loose balls to fire a shot one after another. At the end, IIBOSHI Kairi slotted the ball into the net, scoring the opener in the end. Although St. Capitanio Girl substituted some players, including an injured one, they could not impact the match.

After 56 minutes, Seiwa Gakuen sent the ball from the centre to the right and then to the far side of the goal. TOMII Jurina connected with the cross ball and netted their second, stretching the lead. St. Capitanio Girl tried to strike back, but Seiwa Gakuen defended solidly and tenaciously until the final whistle, not letting the opponent take even a single shot. Seiwa Gakuen got through to the quarter-finals.

Match Details (Japanese version only)

Pick-up Match 2

Hanasaki Tokuharu High School　0-5（0-2, 0-3）Shutoku High School

The second match was a Kanto derby, between Hanasaki Tokuharu High School (Kanto 7/Saitama) and Shutoku High School (Kanto 5/Tokyo), at a main ground in Goshikidai Athletic Park. Both SASAKI Aoi and KASEDA Ayaka of Hanasaki Tokuharu attacked from the flanks exploiting the open space at the beginning of the match. However, Shutoku succeeded in striking the opener. In the 4th minute, although KAGAMI Reina's left-corner kick was parried away, Kagami herself found the loose ball towards the left side of the goal and fired a shot without thinking twice, which went directly into the far side of the net. Kagami continued to maintain possession at the centre and passed the ball around, while each player initiated attacks when possible, taking control of the match. After 11 minutes, Shutoku scored another goal. NAKAJIMA Ayane, who reacted to a cross from the right side, composedly struck a goal.

Hanasaki Tokuharu changed their system in the second half. As the distance between the players up front became shorter, the team could press the opponents more strongly. They threw more players into attack to impact the match. However, it was again Shutoku that scored. In the 61st minute, although a cross was cleared away by the opposing defender in front of the goal, IWASHITA Yuka intercepted to fire a shot, stretching their lead. Shutoku never stopped their attack even with a three-goal lead. KAGAMI led the team to score two more goals, in the 69th and 77th minute, with her accurate left-corner kicks. Shutoku, who stayed focused until the final whistle, advanced to the quarter-finals.

Match Details (Japanese version only)

Four matches of the quarter-finals will be held on Wednesday 4 January in Hyogo Prefecture.

Coach's and Players' Comments

SHIMOYAMA Riko (Seiwa Gakuen High School)
We couldn’t pass the ball around well in the first half and struggled to display our style. The distances between the different lines of field players were too far apart, which forced us to use short passes, as it was too far to directly send the ball from defenders to the players up front. Although we fixed this problem in the second half, we could only take a few shots. We needed to showcase our strengths more in order to advance further in the tournament. Having said that, it was great that we won today’s match, as we mentioned eating ‘victory soba’ before the game. Two championships ago when I was a first grader, we lost in the quarter-final. So I’ll play hard, so that we can get through to the semi-finals.

AKAI Konatsu (St. Capitanio Girl's High School)
We couldn’t find our rhythm in the first half. I wanted to send the ball carefully to two forwards to build up offence, but the accuracy of passes was not great. I believe I played in haste. I was very keen on playing aggressively, which may have made me rush to attack. Since we have been aiming to reach the quarter-finals in this championship for one year, I’m disappointed about this loss. Having said that, I think all of us performed hard. I hope younger graders will achieve our aim in the future and create a team that will attract a lot of spectators.

KAGAMI Reina (Shutoku High School)
We discussed ‘intercepting up front to score at the beginning of the game and build up momentum’. I believe we played as we wanted. I was refreshed from the 1st Round in which I couldn’t perform well, and I could assist from corner kicks. I felt relieved when I struck the opener. I think the team is in top form now. Our original aim is to get through to the 2nd Round and beat Tokiwagi Gakuen High School in the next round. So I’d like to display our strength in the coming big match.

SUE Takamitsu, Coach (Hanasaki Tokuharu High School)
We prepared to pass the ball around carefully and defend solidly, waiting for our opportunity to switch to attack. Since each player didn’t send the ball soon enough in the first half, we couldn’t bring it up front. Even the players, who had been displaying their strength in one-on-ones, struggled to break through the Shutoku’s strong defence which continued to perform their ‘challenge-and-cover’ defensive tactics very well. Despite our caution, we conceded a goal from a set piece. Even though we knew we wouldn’t have many opportunities, we couldn’t score from set pieces. I believe we need more experience and learn from these tough matches.

25th All Japan High School Women's Football Championshi

30 December 2016 (Sat.) ～ 8 January 2017 (Sun.)　[Free Admission]
First Round～ Quater-finals：Venues across Hyogo Prefecture
Semi-finals ～ Final：Noevir Stadium Kobe (Hyogo Prefecture)

Tournament Information