The 37th Empress's Cup, determining the women's football champions in Japan, will get underway on Saturday 7 November. In this article, IWASHIMIZU Azusa, whose club won the last championship, spoke of the impression on the Empress's Cup and her determination for the back-to-back title.

Supported by Tokyo Verdy 1969 Football Club Co., Ltd.

- Your team won the last Empress's Cup for the first time in 5 years, and proved the quality with clean sheets in all the matches.

Iwashimizu　Our long-time leader KOBAYASHI Yayoi had decided to retire after the tournament, so we really wanted to win to celebrate her retirement. And we missed the regular season title by one point and the Exciting Series title on goal difference. Such memories and the entire confidence of the team that we weren't able to grab the league title but actually got close to it helped us to win the championship at the end.

- How did you feel when you lifted the cup as the captain?

Iwashimizu　You rarely can go out at the end and put up the cup at the centre of the victory stand, and it was the first title since the team got younger. I was very happy. But it was the first title since I took over the captain role, and until then, I was a part of the rest of the team who were around the captain. I was confused enough to ask "who's going to lift that cup?"

- How do you think about the current team?

Iwashimizu　This is the third year after the team started the rebuilding process. There have been ups and downs. Even what words to use when we talk to young players need careful thoughts. We have repeatedly said to them "For us, working hard is nothing special. We Beleza are supposed to win championships in any given season," to make them understand the accountability and the attitude we are supposed to carry.

This season, finally every player on our roster started showing the sense of accountability, and our team got the depth that we hadn’t had for a while.

- The back-to-back championship is at stake in this year’s tournament.

Iwashimizu　We want to enjoy the pressure to go for the back-to-back title. I want to feel that feeling of hoisting the cup again. I said the same thing before the FIFA Women’s World Cup this year, but we as the defending champions are the only team that can go for the back-to-back title. We want to stay confident and try to win the championship without giving away any goals just as the last time.

- As you have won six Empress’s Cups, what does the tournament mean to you personally?

Iwashimizu　Before, the final used to be held on the New Year’s Day ahead of men’s match. Even today I still feel like we do that. When I was younger back then, I didn’t fully realise the importance of winning the title. Even when we won it, I felt happy and that was it.

Now looking back the fact that we won the title three straight years one time, I think we really achieved something so unbelievable. While we were very successful in many years, there was also a year when we lost in the first round. Including both good and bad results, this tournament is where I gain so much experience.

- To conclude it, please give out a message to fans and supporters.

Iwashimizu　I want to hoist that cup again in this tournament, and I also want to wrap up the year 2015 with smiles. Now the overall level of women’s football in Japan is getting better. So winning the title in straight years is more difficult than ever. But that gives even more value to it. We will keep fighting until the last minute to win it all, so please come out and support us.

The 37th Empress's Cup

Sat.7 November 2015 - Sun. 27 December 2015
More information