The remaining four games of the third round in the 36th Empress's Cup All-Japan Women's Championship were played on 14 December around the nation.

Pichup Match１

Vegalta Sendai Ladies（Nadeshiko／Miyagi）　5-0（1st 2-0、2nd 3-0）　Angeviolet Hiroshima（Chugoku1／Hiroshima）

In the first game at Miki Track and Field Stadium, Vegalta Sendai Ladies (Nadeshiko/Miyagi) took on Angeviolet Hiroshima (Chugoku1/Hiroshima). Angeviolet tried to solidify the middle of their defensive line while they attempted to score a goal on fast attacks. Three minutes into the game, they advanced the ball in the left side and ended with the attack with ENYA Mari's heading shot.

Vegalta, meanwhile, gradually got their own rhythm offensively, putting pressure on their opponents. On 23rd minute, HAMADA Haruka, who cut into the box, withdrew a foul from a Angeviolet player to get a penalty kick. She made it herself to get on the board first. And moments before the first half ended, Hamada connected a floated pass from SAMESHIMA Aya directly into the goal to give Vegalta a 2-0 lead. Vegalta had 14 shots in the second half alone and wouldn't loose their attacks. Hamada, in particular, fired a game-high nine shots, showing her desperate attitude for scoring. With Vegalta up 3-0 on 84th, she reacted to a lateral pass and scored another to complete a hat trick. Just before the final whistle, SAKAI Yuki put another goal in. Vegalta crushed Angeviolet 5-0 and advanced to the quarterfinal round at home.

The details of the game are here

Pichup Match2

Nippon TV Beleza（Nadeshiko／Tokyo）　9-0（1st 2-0、2nd 7-0）　Ehime FC Ladies（Shikoku1／Ehime）

A match between Nippon TV Beleza (Nadeshiko/Tokyo) and Ehime FC Ladies (Shikoku1/Ehime) wound up a lopsided contest. Ehime, who rallied to win in overtime in their second-round game, struggled against Nippon TV, who are currently in the second place in the Nadeshiko League. When Ehime tried to bring the ball forward, they had hard times connecting passes against Nippon TV's quick defence. Ehime had only three shots in the opening half.

Nippon TV, who are determined to reclaim a title in the tournament, ended the first half with two goals, and kept threatening the Ehime goal in the second half. Beleza increased each player's momentum of surging toward the goal to raise their pressure in their offensive side of ball, not just defensively. Beleza widened their own lead to 3-0 with a score by TANAKA Mina, and then added three more goals in the next eight minutes. Even after they took a 6-0 lead, Nippon TV stayed focused. They racked up three more goals by 87th minute and clinched a final-eight spot with a 9-0 victory.

The details of the game are here

The four quarterfinal matches will be played at Kagawa Prefectural Marugame Stadium and Yurtec Stadium Sendai on 21 December.

Other Results

Iga Kunoichi（Nadeshiko／Mie）　3-1（1st 2-0、2nd 1-1）　AS Elfen Satiama（Nadeshiko／Saitama）
Fujieda Jyunshin High School（Tokai1／Shizuoka）　0-4（1st 0-2、2nd0-2）　JEF United Chiba Ladies（Nadeshiko／Chiba）

詳細はこちら

Comments

HAMADA Haruka（Vegalta Sendai Ladies／Miyagi）
We rushed to attack because we wanted to score first, but after we scored one, we got settled. Personally, it was the first game to play in Kansai and I was a little too nervous, so I ran too much. My teammates noticed it and told me to not get rattled too much, but I was too stiff in the first half in particular. (On her hat trick) My teammates gave me good passes and I only had to put them in, so I appreciate them. No matter who we play against, I believe that we have the members to win games as long as we play our own ball. So we want to do our best going forward.

Fukuyama Kaori Head Coach（Angeviolet Hiroshima／Hiroshima）
Since we will play in the second division of the Nadeshiko League next year, I was curious how much we can put up some challenge against them, acknowledging the levels between the division one and ourselves. In terms of the foot techniques, Vegalta were better, so we had a plan to capitalize on counter attacks, while playing defence patiently. It was a key that which team would take the ball in the centre field, but the pair of their defensive midfielders moved well and would put their noses when they needed, so I realized their qualities were different from us. Yet we felt like we did some things fairly well, and hopefully we won't forget what we felt through the tournament.

SAKAGUCHI Mizuho（Nippon TV Beleza／Tokyo）
After we discussed that we were going to aim at scoring aggressively during halftime, we ended up scoring seven and it was great. Our defence up front worked to some extent and I think it's going to influence our future games. As we missed the league championship by just one point, this (Empress's Cup) was the only stage that we could have avenge that. Last year, we lost to Albirex Niigata Ladies in the quarterfinals in Sendai. Our next match will be against exactly the same opponents, same venue, same time. Not only from the league, but we also have something we need to pay back from the previous tournament, so we will surely do our best. We don't need any time off until the New Years.

The 36th Empress's Cup

Sat.29 November - Thu. 1 January 2015
More Information