wf089: Nadeshiko League 2026 Week 06

[ Blogger’s Prediction on April 17th ]
The match to watch most is between league leaders Shizuoka and third-placed Kamogawa. Second-placed Miyazaki will face sixth-placed Nittaidai Yokohama, and fourth-placed Yunogo will play against ninth-placed Harima. Nagoya, last year’s champions but currently languishing in seventh place, will take on eleventh-placed Setagaya, while Iga, last year’s second-placed team but now languishing in eighth place, will face fifth-placed Yokohama Seagulls, who have been improving their form. Twelfth-placed Ichihara will face tenth-placed Ehime, both teams that conceded four goals last week. Their defensive improvements will be something to watch.

[ Overall Review ]
Both matches on Saturday, April 18th were thrilling, with the away teams winning both with a respective winning goal in added time of the second half. K. Shono, M. Kishinami, and M. Uchida each scored two goals. Three of the four matches on Sunday, April 19th were decided by only one goal difference and were closely contested in terms of shots on goal. The remaining match between Miyazaki and Nittaidai Yokohama was a thrilling game with many shots on goal and a large crowd. As a result, Shizuoka is currently in first place, with Miyazaki in pursuit. Yunogo, Nagoya, and Iga have moved up the ranks with their victories. The close competition is expected to continue.

[ Results of Matches ]
Match1 (4/18): Harima 3-4 Yunogo at Wink Athletics Stadium with attendance of 584.
Harima’s goals: S. Chiba (12′), K. Shono (30′, 58′)
Yunogo’s goals: M. Kishinami (5′, 74′), Y. Kishinami (32′), S. Terao (90’+1)
Shots: 12:9 (8:3)

Match2 (4/18): Setagaya 2-3 Nagoya at AGF Field with attendance of 549.
Setagaya’s goals: M. Uchida (6′, 43′)
Nagoya’s goals: M. Ueda (14′), R. Tachibana (62′), N. Kakuta (90’+4)
Shots: 8:12 (4:4)

Match3 (4/19): Ichihara 1-2 Ehime at ZA Oripli Stadium with attendance of 237.
Ichihara’s goal: H. Masuhara (73′)
Ehime’s goals: A. Kondo (42′), S. Kuroiwa (50′)
Shots: 11:9 (8:4)

Match4 (4/19): Shizuoka – Kamonaga at Iwata Sports Exchange Village Yumeria Ball Game Field with attendance of 639.
Shizuoka’s goal: H. Kishino (23′)
Shots: 7:5 (3:3)

Match5 (4/19): Iga 2-1 Yokohama Seagulls at Ueno Athletic Park Stadium with attendance of 387.
Iga’s goals: R. Masuda (31′), M. Karasawa (87′)
Seagulls’ goal: T. Gonno (54′)
Shots: 8:9 (4:2)

Match6 (4/19): Miyazaki 4-2 Nittaidai Yokohama at Ichigo Miyazaki Shintomi Soccer Field with attendance of 1,442.
Miyazaki’s goals: H. Ozawa (9′), H. Matsuda (23′), H. Suzuki (31′), Y. Tsuchiya (33′)
Nittaidai’s goals: M. Abe (20′), K. Shibahara (72′)
Shots: 16:13 (12:3)

[ AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup Results and Topics ]
The Young Nadeshiko team secured their seventh championship title by holding onto their lead against the strong DPR Korea. The MVP of the tournament was 17-year-old Moa Fukushima. The top scorer and best goalkeeper awards went to DPR Korea’s Pak Ok I and Pak Ju Gyong, respectively.

The following are some topics that caught the author’s eye:
1) It seems that Young Nadeshiko manager Akira Ijiri left a very significant legacy in Vietnam.
2) The DPR Korea players are much more cheerful than ten years ago. Previously, they suppressed their emotions like Japanese high school baseball players of decades ago.
3) The Korea Rep. goalkeeper Oh Dan-bi speaks almost perfect English in her interview.