Urawa Reds Ladies continued to struggle since they claimed the division title of the Nadeshiko League in 2014. Even though they drew the opening away match against this year’s champions Nippon TV Beleza, the team lost their subsequent six matches and dropped down to the bottom of the league table. Thereafter, they were finding a difficult time to earn points and move up their standings.

In summer, the team signed a former Australian national squad player Emily GIELNIK. In the Nadeshiko League Cup, which was held in the middle of the season, they advanced to the semi-finals. Even though they could not win the title, it had given them an excellent opportunity to regain confidence for the latter half of the season. However, they failed to post consecutive wins and climb the league table. Their struggle continues, but certainly the former champions are now trying to rebuild the team by winning the Empress’s Cup.

One of the major problems was that they had injuries from their key players, SEIKE Kiko and KIRA Chinatsu. Seike has shown great growth in the previous season, while Kira has been their central player leading the offence. Two vitals players not being able to consistently play on the pitch resulted in their poor performance this season. However, younger players took this as an opportunity and rose to the occasion.

Goalkeeper HIRAO Chika, defender NORIMATSU Ruka, and KITAGAWA Hikaru, who were all part of the national squad competing in the 2016 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Papua New Guinea, became the starting-eleven players. Even the participating members of the recent FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, Nagano Fuka, who won the MVP award of the tournament, KOJIMA Seira, and TAKAHASHI Hana made their debut in the top flight. They are expected to grow and add depth to the team. Their performances will be the key if they were to claim their first-ever crown of the Empress’s Cup.

JFA-TV (Japanese version only)

Empress' Cup Quarter-finals (12/17)

Fixtures and Results (Japanese version only)

38th Empress's Cup All Japan Women's Football Tournament

2016-10-22(Sat.) ～ 2016-12-25(Sun.)
Quarter-finals：17 December (Sat.)　Yurtec Stadium Sendai・Pikara Stadium (Kagawa Prefecture Marugame Stadium)
Semi-finals：23 December(Fri.)　Ajinomoto Field Nishigaoka 
Final：25 December(Sun.)　Fukuda Denshi Arena

Tournament Information
Ticket Information (Japanese version only)