The Empress's Cup JFA 41st Japan Women's Football Championship is about to take place on Saturday 2 November. Here we have conducted an interview with MIURA Narumi and KOBAYASHI Rikako from the two-time defending champions Nippon TV Beleza, who shared their memories of the Empress's Cup and talked about their current team.
*This interview was conducted on 26 October.

――What is your image of the Empress's Cup?

Kobayashi　With so many teams from various categories gathering at the yearend for this tournament, it gives me the impression that the tournament represents the culmination of the year.

Miura　The tournament is opened to teams from the youth category and it has always been a special tournament because we can play against teams from the first division of the Nadeshiko League. That feeling still remains the same, and I consider it as a very special tournament.

――Do you remember your first time playing in it?

Miura　From the time I played for Menina?

――For Miura, it was the second round of the 2016 tournament, when you first joined Beleza.

Kobayashi　Isn’t that the time you won the top scorer’s award?

Miura　Is it that tournament?

――――Yes it is. You scored five goals at the second round.

Miura　I think we played against Club Fields Linda. I wasn’t getting much playing time in our league matches, so I remember I had a lot of fun in that game. I was an attacking playing at the time, so I was always anticipating to score goals which led me to that award. It brings back good memories.

――For Kobayashi, you played when you were at Tokiwagi Gakuen High School. Your first appearance came during your first year there, and you lost to Hinomoto Gakuen High School.

Kobayashi　We lost the match 0-6. I remember that match. We conceded many goals during the first half and I was in panic mode. Although we faced many high school teams in the first round, the matches in the Empress's Cup were held at a mutual venue so it had a different atmosphere compared to the All Japan High School Women's Football Championship and Inter-High School Championships.

――What’s your recent memory of the Empress's Cup?

Miura　For me it’s the final of last year’s tournament. The match that went into overtime. It was the first tournament that I was heavily involved to win the title, so I had a very good time there. With the match entering overtime, we were all tired, but we were all enjoying ourselves in that match.

――You have now won back to back titles.

Miura　Our goal for this year is to make it three in a row. With the league coming to an end, this tournament represents the last competition of the year, and it allows the team to really come together for one last time. Our approach is the same each year.

Kobayashi　Last year, we had this tournament left to complete the triple crown, so the team was fully motivated to win the title.

――In recent years, the Empress's Cup has been dominated by teams from the first division of the Nadeshiko League. There must be certain amount of pressure on your shoulders?

Miura　Regardless of the competition, Beleza is a team that is expected to win at all times. Either we are against another division one team or a team from lower categories, we cannot afford to lose. So, in that sense, we are always feeling that sense of pressure.

――Kobayashi joined Beleza after graduating from high school. Did you sense that type of pressure when you first joined the team?

Kobayashi　I sure did. I wasn’t able to play at the Empress's Cup in my first two years due to injury, but the team won the title during that time and I really felt the team’s strengths to fight against that pressure. We do not change our playing style depending on our opponent, and our strengths rely on our ability to win matches with the same football style.

――What is the strengths of this year’s team?

Miura　Compared to last year, I think we have more variations in our attacks. We have worked on our build-up plays all year, and we have scored more goals than last year. We have also conceded more goals, but that shows that we are making more challenges upfront, rather than just keeping the possession of the ball. We have plenty of players who can score goals, as long as we create enough chances.

Kobayashi　I feel like I have to do a better job in scoring goals…

――I am getting the impression that you have nurtured a winners’ mentality.

Kobayashi　I do believe we have gained a winners’ mentality over the years, but our recent loss against Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies has also taught us the difficulties of winning matches. That match has allowed us to reset our minds and focus on each of our upcoming matches. There are ups and downs along the way, but overall, I feel like our team is heading towards the right direction.

Empress's Cup JFA 41st Japan Women's Football Championship

Tournament Dates: Sat. 2 November - Sun. 29 December 2019
【1st Round】Sat. 2 & Sun. 3 November
【2nd Round】Sat. 23 & Sun. 24 November
【3rd Round】Sat. 30 November & Sun. 1 December
【Quarterfinals】Sun. 8 December
【Semi-Finals】Sun. 22 December
【Final】Sun. 29 December

Tournament Information