The second day of the JFA 16th Japan Women's Futsal Championship took place at Ishikawa Sports Center, Ishikawa, on Sunday 3 November, as the final eight fixtures of the first round were played.

In Group A, the two teams who have won their first two matches squared off, as Progresso Osaka Verve (Kansai3/Osaka) faced Hachinohe Gakuin University (Tohoku1/Aomori). The match started with Hachinohe Gakuin University taking the lead with FUKUSHI Yurika’s goal in the fourth minute. Progresso Osaka rallied back following this goal, but Hachinohe’s goalkeeper YOKOHAMA Nana showcased a superb performance to keep the Osaka side from scoring the equaliser. The university side doubled their lead in the 14th minute, when NEMOTO Hikaru captured the goal. With their backs against the wall, Progresso Osaka initiated their powerplay to score back a goal, but their rally ended their, as Hachinohe Gakuin University advanced to the semi-finals with a 2-1 victory.

In the other match played in Group A, Tapa Zida (Kanto2/Tokyo) defeated FC.Ton Ladies (Ishikawa) 7-0 to mark their first victory at this tournament. Tapa Zida’s goalkeeper MATSUO Eriko commented after the match, “It is disappointing that we are eliminated at the first round, but we were able to find out where we need to improve to become a better team. We hope to make our return to this tournament next year.”

Group B featured a matchup between Bardral Urayasu Las Bonitas (Kanto1/Chiba) and Member of the Gang (Tokai1/Mie). Despite ending the first half scoreless, Urayasu registered four goals in the second half to mark their third consecutive victory at the first round. Another team from the Women's F. League, Espolada Hokkaido Irneve (Hokkaido) won their match 3-0 over Tokiwagi Gakuen High School (Tohoku2/Miyagi) to record their first win of the tournament.

Defending champions, arco-iris Kobe (Kansai1/Hyogo) took on MFP Salsa Hada (Chugoku/Hiroshima) in Group C, where KATO Masami, KOMURA Misato and AOYAMA Asuka scored for arco-iris to send the team into the semi-finals. In the match between Bepp (Tokai2/Aichi) and Colac,o Fukuoka (Kyushu1/Fukuoka), the Aichi side scored seven goals to win the match 7-2.

An enticing matchup between Fukui Maruoka Ruck (Hokushinetsu/Fukui) and SWH Ladies Futsal Club (Kansai2/Hyogo) was featured in Group D, where Maruoka’s MAEDA Miu scored the opening goal in the third minute. However, SWH Ladies rallied back with goals scored by EGAWA Ryo in the seventh, MIYATA Arisa in the 14th, and EGUCHI Mika in the 19th to mark a 3-1 victory over Maruoka. In the other match, Alegre Caminho (Kyushu2/Saga) won the match 2-0 against Matsuyama Jyohoku FC Ladies Bucci (Shikoku/Ehime) to register their first win of this tournament.

The final match day will take place on Monday 4 November, where the two semi-finals and final will be played. Exciting matchups awaits, as Hachinohe Gakuin University will face Urayasu, while a rematch from last year’s final will take place, as arco-iris and SWH Ladies will play each other at the other half.

Coach and Players’ Comments

YONEKAWA Masao, Coach (Bardral Urayasu Las Bonitas)
We felt like we were the best team among the group, so I am glad that we were able to advance through to the final round. Although we were kept scoreless in the first half, we were creating plenty of chances, so I was confident that the goals would eventually come. We also managed to test out our defensive approach for tomorrow, so I am very satisfied with this match.

KOMURA Misato (arco-iris Kobe)
With the matches being played in a 12-minute format, we knew the matches would be very tough. We had many players who were playing in their first national tournament, but we were able to get rid of the nervousness in the first day. I am glad that we were able to make a deep run despite missing almost half of our team from last year. I don’t really care who we face at the semi-finals, but I personally would like to face Urayasu at the final.

EGUCHI Mika (SWH Ladies Futsal Club)
After making my transfer to this team (from arco-iris Kobe), I had a difficult time adjusting to the team’s strategies, but after the team increased their training sessions to four times a week, I was able to make the adjustments and I feel like my efforts are getting rewarded at this tournament. Although we gave up the opening goal to Fukui Maruoka Ruck, we managed to come from behind by taking control of the ball possession and executing our usual futsal. In order to prove that I made the correct decision to transfer teams, I must win tomorrow’s match.

YAMAKAWA Rikako (Fukui Maruoka Ruck)
The team is now eliminated at the first round and this has become a very disappointing tournament for us. I personally have been playing at this tournament since my second year in junior high school, but I was able to score a goal for the first time this year, so I am very happy about that. I was able to gain confidence from the first goal and managed to score another goal in the next match. I was also able to create a goal scoring opportunity from my shot as well. Now that I have confidence in my shots, I would like to improve my passing skills to better assist my teammates.

JFA 16th Japan Women's Futsal Championship

Tournament Dates: Sat. 2 - Mon. 4 November 2019
Tournament Venue: Ishikawa Sports Center, Ishikawa
Tournament Information