Japan’s Nadeshiko League returned after nearly a month long absence due to the Asian Games. Four NWSL players featured in those matches over the weekend as well as several others around the globe as many teams prepare for Champions League action. Here is this week’s NWSL on loan update outside of the Brundesliga and W-League.
Nadeshiko League (Japan)
AS Saitama 0 – 4 Vegalta Sendai
Vegalta defeated AS Saitama 4-0 in the first week of play since the Asian Games break. Brittany Cameron got the start in goal and recorded a shutout. This is the second consecutive shutout posted by Cameron in two games played for the club; the last also being a 4-0 victory against Iga FC. Cameron joined a team that already had a consistent back line having recorded another clean sheet before her arrival. The fact that the team’s performance has remained consistent shows that her transition on the team has been fairly seamless and she is building chemistry with the back line. The teamwork between Cameron and the back line should only grow stronger as games are being played on a more regular schedule now that the international break is over.
Albirex Niigata 2 – 3 INAC Kobe
Three NWSL players were in action during this match up as Tiffany McCarty and Albirex Niigata fell 2-3 to Nahomi Kawasumi, Beverly Goebel and the rest of the INAC Kobe squad. This was McCarty’s first match back with Albirex Niigata after the conclusion of the Houston Dash season. She previously was loaned to the club after the 2013 NWSL season and made eight appearances, scoring two goals. While McCarty played a solid 70 minutes of the match, Goebel and Kawasumi played a full 90 with Goebel scoring INAC Kobe’s second goal of the match in the 39th minute.
Scottish Women’s Premier League (Scotland)
Glasgow City FC 2 – 1 Rangers Ladies
Glasgow City FC came from behind to defeat the Rangers Ladies 2-1 over the weekend. Morgan Marlborough once again got the start and played the full 90 minutes. City fell behind in the 36th minute as a shot on goal deflected and beat their goalkeeper. The scored was leveled a mere 60 seconds later leaving the score 1-1 at the half. Marlborough nearly gave city the advantage in the second half off a set piece but her header hit the post. Despite missing the back of the net, Marlborough had another excellent game for City and has really had an opportunity to develop as a player since joining the club. City was able to take the lead in the 68th minute, securing another three points in the league, though they already secured the SWPL title earlier in the week. Glasgow City FC will take on Medyk Konin in Champions League action on October 8th.
Elitedivisionen (Denmark)
Fortuna Hjørring 1 – 1 Brøndby
Taryn Hemmings and Melissa Henderson both started in Fortuna Hjørring’s 1-1 draw over the weekend. Nadia Nadim was the lone goal scorer for the club. This match proved more of a challenge for Fortuna Hjørring who had dominating wins in their last two matches. Brøndby and Fortuna Hjørring are the top two teams in the league and are in a close race for the top of the table. The club’s next matchup is a Champions League fixture with Portugal’s Clube Atlético Ouriense on October 8th.
Damallsvenskan (Sweden)
Umeå IK FF 1 – 0 Kristianstad DFF
Becky Edwards played 90 minutes in Kristianstad DFF’s loss to 7th place Umeå IK FF. The match was close with the only goal coming in the 37th minute. Kristianstad DFF was unable to level but did well to keep themselves within a goal for the remainder of the match. The team is still in 5th place in the Damallsvenskan, a position that is their goal moving forward for the remainder of the season.
Additional Champions League Fixture
Several other NWSL players will be in action this week as Apollon Limassol takes on Brøndby in the first leg of their Champions League campaign on October 8th. The team has participated in scrimmages and practice matches with the men’s youth squad, but this will be the first competitive match these players will see since having joined Apollon at the end of the NWSL season.
Feature Photo courtesy of Masashi Hara/Getty Images
