NTV Beleza late show seals Empress Cup

Osaka: Extra time goals to Japan national team stars Yuka Momiki and Mina Tanaka helped holders NTV Beleza retain the Empress Cup with a 4-2 win over INAC Kobe Leonessa in a dramatic final at Suita City Football Stadium.

In front of nearly 7,000 fans, Masato Nagata's side ensured they would enjoy a happy new year as they sealed a domestic treble, having previously secured the Nadeshiko League and League Cup titles.

In a match packed with Nadeshiko internationals, INAC took the lead through Rika Masuya, whose simple close range finish gave the Kobe-based side the lead three minutes before halftime, before a deflected effort from 2018 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup hero Riko Ueki levelled the tie in the 54th minute.

Momiki gave NTV Beleza the lead for the first time when she slammed home a loose ball from 12 yards in the 71st minute, but their perennial rivals drew level only six minutes later, with Mai Kyokawa finishing off a swift counter-attack to force an extra 30 minutes with the sides locked at 2-2 at full time.

THANK YOU 2018?Who’s Got It Better Than Us? Nobody!!!!! - Jim Harbaugh#beleza #nadeshiko pic.twitter.com/SQqhJUsnbX— Yuka Momiki / 籾木 結花 (@nicole_m09) January 2, 2019

It took less than four minutes of extra time for Momiki to ghost into the penalty area and slam home her second goal from close range, before NTV Beleza captain Mina Tanaka sealed the win in the 104th minute, outpacing the INAC defence and calmly beating Japan international goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita.

The title is NTV Beleza's eighth Empress Cup success in 15 years, with the Tokyo-based side having also claimed the last four Japanese league titles.

Photos: Japan Football AssociationSource: the-afc.com