The Waseda University Association Women’s Football Club beat Kanagawa University to finish first place at the 24th All Japan University Women’s Football Tournament held January 7-18. This is the Club’s first tournament victory since 2011 and their fourth victory overall. Team members shed tears of joy and were full of smiles as they celebrated their victory.
Waseda’s Women’s Football Club has been unable to win at the Kansai Round Tournament in recent years. However, the club gained great momentum after toppling veteran Kibi International University in the first round of the 24th All Japan University Women’s Football Tournament. Upon returning to Tokyo, the club faced off against rival Nippon Sport Science University in the tournament’s semifinals. Waseda was down two points in the first half of the match but came back to score two points, ending the match in a 2-2 draw. Waseda’s record allowed them to proceed to the finals where they faced off against Kanagawa University. The match was tied in the second half until forward Juri Kawano headed a corner kick from midfielder Tomo Matsukawa into the opposing team’s goal to clutch victory.
Waseda’s Women’s and Men’s Football Clubs experienced great triumphs this past year. The Men’s team finished first in the Kanto League for the first time in nineteen years and the Women’s team finished first in all of Japan. The Clubs have participated in various community service events, providing opportunities to give back to society and build personal character. We hope you will continue supporting Waseda Football as we go forward into the new year.
Photos courtesy of Shuzo Okamoto (reposting prohibited)
