INAC Leonessa Win see’s them top the Japan’s Nadeshiko League table

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Permalink Reply by Hiroshi Umezu on May 5, 2012 at 8:51

JEF United Ichihara Chiba Ladies 1-3 INAC Kobe Leonessa: It was today that Homare Sawa played the whole match for the first time since, in Portugal, she came down a disease, a benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. In addition, Homare Sawa assisted on the first goal by Yukari Kinga. According to Fuji Satellite Broadcasting, Inc., nearly 5,000 spectators crowded into Fukuda Denshi Arena, the home stadium of JEF United Ichihara Chiba Ladies. 18-year-old Mai Kyōkawa is now the focus of attention. Mai Kyōkawa is the L League's top scorer with five goals together with Asano Nagasato, who currently plays as a striker for NTV Beleza. Her elder sister is Yūki Nagasato, who plays for 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam of the Women's Bundesliga.

Permalink Reply by 2xehxtxemyk65 on May 5, 2012 at 8:53

Thank you Hiroshi.  It is good to hear that Homare Sawa is well again. Did she have any hearing problems or just vertigo? (Probably not known.)  Anyway, has Homare given any indication of what she wants to do once she hangs up her boots? Will she go into politics (like Seb Coe) -- or, at least sports politics? Sawa seems to be the Fritz Walter of ladies´ football ...

While you are at it, can you tell us a bit about Mai Kyokawa, please. Is this another young Japanese lady made of steel?

Hiroshi Umezu said:

JEF United Ichihara Chiba Ladies 1-3 INAC Kobe Leonessa: It was today that Homare Sawa played the whole match in the L. League for the first time since ,in Portugal, she came down a disease, a benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. In addition, Homare Sawa assisted on the first goal by Yukari Kinga. According to Fuji Satellite Broadcasting, Inc., nearly 5,000 spectators crowded into Fukuda Denshi Arena, the home stadium of JEF United Ichihara Chiba Ladies. 18-year-old Mai Kyōkawa is now the focus of attention.

Permalink Reply by Hiroshi Umezu on May 5, 2012 at 10:22

Mai Kyōkawa (INAC Kobe Leonessa) was selected for Japan's national team for the first time at the 2012 Algarve Cup, which took place in February and March of 2012. Due to this, she missed her commencement ceremony at Tokiwagi Gakuen High School. There can be no mistake that she has her precocious ability to score goals. As pointed out above, Mai Kyōkawa is now the L League's top scorer with five goals together with Asano Nagasato (NTV Beleza). Mai Kyōkawa is a graduate of Tokiwagi Gakuen High School. Aya Sameshima (Montpellier Hérault Sport Club Féminines) and Saki Kumagai (1. FFC Frankfurt), both of whom currently play as a defender for Japan's national squad, are alumni of this school as well. Tokiwagi Gakuen High School also belongs to the Nadeshiko League Division 2.

Mai Kyōkawa: http://inac-kobe.com/?player=%e4%ba%ac%e5%b7%9d%e8%88%9e

Permalink Reply by Women's Soccer United on May 5, 2012 at 15:04

Thank you for the information, good to hear Sawa played a full match.

Permalink Reply by Hiroshi Umezu on May 5, 2012 at 16:58

On this sunny day, 4,739 spectators enjoyed the game between JEF United Ichihara Chiba and INAC Kobe Leonessa at Fukuda Denshi Arena. For reference, the full capacity of this stadium is 19,781 people.

Women's Soccer United said:

Thank you for the information, good to hear Sawa played a full match.

Permalink Reply by 2xehxtxemyk65 on May 5, 2012 at 17:08

4 739 is a most respectable attendance. Congratulations. Today the Swedish ladies´ football league (Damallsvenskan) averages 600-900 with peak figures <3 000, a far cry from the heady days with top attendances over 8 000.  Keep piling them in!

Hiroshi Umezu said:

On this sunny day, 4,739 spectators enjoyed the game between JEF United Ichihara Chiba and INAC Kobe Leonessa at Fukuda Denshi Arena. For reference, the full capacity of this stadium is 19,781 people.

Women's Soccer United said:

Thank you for the information, good to hear Sawa played a full match.

Permalink Reply by Asa on May 5, 2012 at 17:16

Thank you Hiroshi

Permalink Reply by 2xehxtxemyk65 on May 5, 2012 at 17:30

Hiroshi -- Japan is hosting the Ladies´U-20 Football World Championships this August. Can you tell us a bit about the venues and whom to watch? Which is the best city for a non-Japanese etc?

I noted that there are only two (2) South American teams (Brazil and Argentina) in the tournament. Is that a reflection of how poor ladies football is in South America?

Hiroshi Umezu said:

Mai Kyōkawa (INAC Kobe Leonessa) was selected for Japan's national team for the first time at the 2012 Algarve Cup, which took place in February and March of 2012. Due to this, she missed her commencement ceremony at Tokiwagi Gakuen High School. There can be no mistake that she has her precocious ability to score goals. As pointed out above, Mai Kyōkawa is now the L League's top scorer with five goals together with Asano Nagasato (NTV Beleza). Mai Kyōkawa is a graduate of Tokiwagi Gakuen High School. Aya Sameshima (Montpellier Hérault Sport Club Féminines) and Saki Kumagai (1. FFC Frankfurt), both of whom currently play as a defender for Japan's national squad, are alumni of this school as well. Tokiwagi Gakuen High School also belongs to the Nadeshiko League Division 2.

Mai Kyōkawa: http://inac-kobe.com/?player=%e4%ba%ac%e5%b7%9d%e8%88%9e

Permalink Reply by Hiroshi Umezu on May 6, 2012 at 1:57

Please don't mention it. :D

Asa said:

Thank you Hiroshi