In this upcoming weekend of Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 November, the 37th Empress’s Cup All Japan Women’s Football Tournament starts its opening round. 32 teams including 10 Nadeshiko League’s Division 1 clubs and six Division 2 clubs begin their campaigns in the tournament of the knockout system together with high school teams, college teams, youth teams from the Nadeshiko League clubs and regional amateur teams.

Tokiwagi Gakuen High School (Tohoku/Miyagi), who survived to the third round last year, face the Challenge League rival Yokohama FC Seagulls (Kanto/Kanagawa). The record between these two sides in the league this year is one win, one loss and one draw for both. Their fourth contest is set up in the Empress’s Cup and worth paying attention to.

The individual battle between two outstanding strikers, Tokiwagi’s KOBAYASHI Rikako who has U-19 Japan Women's National Team experience and Yokohama FC’s YOSHIDA Mizuki, is also another point to watch for.

Fujieda Junshin High School (Tokai/Shizuoka) also advanced to the third round last year. This year they take on F.C. Diosa Izumo FC (Chugoku/Shimane) to begin their quest. SUGITA Hina, the ace player for Fujieda Junshin’s squad last year, has already left the school and currently plays for INAC Kobe, but KONO Fuka, a member of the national team squad for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2013, took over the number 10 kit and is leading the way for Fujieda.

On the other hand, Izumo only have 18 players on their roster, which is relatively low, but they altogether survived through close matches out of the regional qualifiers in Chugoku Region. Playing carefully especially early in the match, they look to record a victory by taking the contest to a low-scoring match.

Urawa Reds Ladies Youth (Kanto/Saitama) go head to head with another youth generation club, JFA Academy Fukushima (Tokai/Shizuoka). Many of the Urawa players such as captain MINAMI Moeka and KUTSUWADA Ayumi have played together since they were in the U-15 category for Urawa Reds Ladies Jr. Youth. The fact that they know each other’s play style very well is one of their strengths. 

Academy Fukushima are led by KITAGAWA Hikaru and ENDO Jun who have experienced the national teams in each generation they were once in. Kitagawa has also played for Urawa Reds Ladies in the Nadeshiko League this year as a special designated player. They certainly want to utilise their rich experience in this tournament. 

University of Tsukuba (Kanto/Ibaraki), making first Empress’s Cup appearance, play against SC Bunnys Kyoto SC (Kansai/Kyoto) who reached this Cup tournament for the first time in the last five years. Tsukuba play this season with their team slogan of “結” (Japanese letter meaning “unity” and “connection”). Their preparations have focused on combination of plays where the ball is moving around and up with fewer touches. 

Bunnys, on the other hand, aim to play an attractive style of football. This year marks their 10th anniversary since they moved to Kyoto Prefecture. The club surely want to surpass their record at the last appearance where they were eliminated in the first round after losing 4-2 in the additional period. 

JFA-TV (Japanese version only)　

The 37th Empress's Cup

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