JEF United W vs Nitere Menina W

JEF United W and Nitere Menina W are set to trade tackles at the Kanseki Stadium in an exciting Emperor’s Cup semi-final tie.

JEF United W have found their Emperor’s Cup campaign a stroll so far, winning both previous ties by an aggregate score of 4-0 while netting at least once beyond half-time on each occasion. Indeed, the hosts head into proceedings amid a purple patch, having gone unbeaten in their last nine matches in all competitions (W6, D2) since succumbing to a dismal 3-0 defeat to Beleza W in October. United’s recent home fixtures have been notably tight, though, with each of the last four yielding a full-time margin of under 1.5 goals (W3, D1). Six of their eight goals scored/conceded during that six-game sequence have come beyond half-time, highlighting the potential for an action-packed second half.

Meanwhile, after racking up identical 2-1 victories over Harima Albion W and Inac Kobe Leonesa W in the opening two Emperor’s Cup rounds, Nitere Menina W swept Omiya Ardija W aside with an overwhelming 4-0 quarter-final win to set up this tie. Adding another W to the column would be massive, especially considering they had lost three consecutive games before putting together three Emperor’s Cup triumphs. Interestingly, seven of Nitere’s ten goals in this competition this term have come in the second half of play, including six of the last seven. Late action could also be on the cards, with their last two Emperor’s Cup fixtures featuring a goal inside the final ten minutes of play.