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Alex Bishop

@abishop32.bsky.social

Tokyo based freelance sportswriter focused on #WoSo in Japan πŸ‡―πŸ‡΅ | works for @theguardian.com @japantimes.co.jp - DM for enquiries πŸ‘ πŸ”— https://linktr.ee/abishop32

190 Followers  |  111 Following  |  120 Posts  |  Joined: 21.11.2024  |  1.7118

Latest posts by abishop32.bsky.social on Bluesky

Preview
WE League finally sowing seeds of growth under new stewardship Yoshikazu Nonomura, who took the helm a year ago, oversaw improved attendance and financial numbers during his first season as chairman.

After four seasons the #WELeague is finally starting to show signs of commercial promise.

But just how has Yoshikazu Nonomura fared in his first season as chairman and what can we expect moving forward?

✍️ Me for @japantimes.co.jp

www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2025/...

27.06.2025 13:52 β€” πŸ‘ 9    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

I think there’s always been a massive push on the players side for a move to the β€œinternational stage”. Just hope whatever money came in for him gets invested right back into firepower ASAP.

05.06.2025 03:26 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Not like the goals were drying up or anything πŸ€·β€β™‚οΈ

05.06.2025 02:13 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Why Wuhan’s Asian WCL triumph is much more than a moment of glitter Inaugural tournament signals a new era for the women’s game and offers cross-confederation competition for victors

Its been an eventful week for continental club football but an extra special one here in Asia as Wuhan were crowned inaugural AFC W Champions League champs

But what does this mean for the wider women's game across the region?πŸ€”

Me for @theguardian.com

www.theguardian.com/football/202...

28.05.2025 12:23 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Congrats to Wuhan on winning the first AFC Women’s Champions League πŸ†

Can’t say I agree with everything do they on the pitch but they’re certainly a team knows how to get things over the line.

24.05.2025 15:04 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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🟒 All over at Nishigaoka and Tokyo Verdy Beleza claim their first league title of the #WELeague era.

Everything came together for them today, capping off a tough but well managed season. πŸ† πŸ† πŸ†

17.05.2025 07:06 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

But yet again we have incredibly poor planning from the organizers with both Beleza and JEF’s mens counterparts kicking off at exactly the same time same day πŸ‘Ž

17.05.2025 03:03 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Making tracks to the Beleza v JEF WE League finale at Nishigaoka. The victory conditions are simple: Beleza win and the trophy is theirs. Their +4 goal difference over INAC will likely be too much to make up.

17.05.2025 03:02 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

I’m hoping mud-puddles in both goalmouths that remind you of high-school footy.

06.05.2025 01:35 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

They could at least hand them out for free at games πŸ‘Ž

06.05.2025 01:34 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Tokyo National Stadium draped in JEF Chiba yellow for todays double-header πŸŒ•

06.05.2025 01:33 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Yep. Quite the job for the kit man tomorrow.

06.05.2025 01:24 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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En-route to the JEF v Omiya double header at Kokuritsu. The drizzly conditions should make for an eventful set of games β˜”οΈ #οΌͺγƒͺγƒΌγ‚° #WEγƒͺγƒΌγ‚°

05.05.2025 23:58 β€” πŸ‘ 6    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0

And here are the final two matches for each of the top 3

🟒 Beleza: (A) Omiya, (H) JEF
🦁 INAC: (H) Mynavi, (A) Nojima
♦️ Urawa: (H) Nojima, (A) Elfen

04.05.2025 09:20 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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That concludes today’s #WELeague action and what a spammer in the works we have.

Urawa’s loss to Niigata means Beleza hold top spot on goal difference, despite losing to pursuers INAC. Essentially it’s theirs to lose with the +9 GD but I feel more banana skins lie afoot πŸ€”

04.05.2025 09:20 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0

🦁 INAC Kobe: a tall order. They need to both do the business against Beleza today and hope that Urawa drop points somewhere.

But with Ferron’s tenure coming to an end we can expect to see some fight from this side that is very capable of winning its last 3 games.

04.05.2025 03:12 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

♦️ Urawa Reds: playing host to a sturdy Albirex Niigata side will be the core focus of their attention today, but they will also be hoping for an INAC win or draw with Beleza.

With just a point separating them and the leaders this would leapfrog them into 1st with 2 games to go

04.05.2025 03:11 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

🟒 Beleza: today they host fellow title pursuers INAC Kobe in a decisive game for both sides.

But simply put, it’s in their hands as the current occupiers of top spot. Win their final 3 matches and the title is theirs. Falter and they will need Urawa and INAC to do likewise.

04.05.2025 02:38 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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A pivotal day for the #WELeague season as results will determine which of the big 3 takes pole position heading into the final 2 games.

🧡 But who needs what?

04.05.2025 02:38 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Attendance 2,020. Not bad for a Wednesday afternoon πŸ‘ #WELeague

16.04.2025 07:05 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

90+2 - Absolute scenes! ⚽️ 1-1

♦️ Mei Shimada fires home in the last minute to pull level and rescue a point for Reds. On the balance of play this is about the right result. #WELeague

16.04.2025 06:52 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

84’ - and there it is! ⚽️ 0-1

🟒 Hiwatari finds the net for Beleza to give them a late lead and massive stride towards a long awaited league title. Still time for a Reds equalizer though. They surely want take this lying down #WELeague

16.04.2025 06:44 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

80’ - into the last 10 mins with both sides seeing chances. Reds’ subs seem to have had an impact with the balance of play slightly with them as it stands. 0-0 #WELeague

16.04.2025 06:40 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

70’ excruciating close for Reds as Sakabe heads Shimada’s effort over the bar with the goal completely open otherwise. 0-0

16.04.2025 06:31 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

60’ Reds switch things up as Shibata and Nagashima come on for Shiokoshi and Kurishima.

Shiokoshi has looked lively in both defense and attack so far. Not so sure about that one πŸ€”

16.04.2025 06:19 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

55’ much better from Beleza who have looked far more proactive since the break. Hijikata’s pass across the goalmouth was unlucky not to be jabbed in to give them the lead. They clearly see this as more than just a β€œmust-not-lose” game. #WELeague

16.04.2025 06:15 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Back underway at Komaba. Beleza make two changes as Yamamoto and Matsunaga come on for Ito and Aoki. 0-0

16.04.2025 06:05 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

HT 0-0

Reds have taken the game to Beleza and have had the chances to show for it. It’s just the final touch that’s missing.

Beleza haven’t managed to get out and have gotten quite good at handing possession back to Reds as soon as they receive it.

More the come! #WELeague

16.04.2025 05:50 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

31’ Reds getting closer and closer as they see a couple of close range efforts go just wide of the mark. #WELeague

16.04.2025 05:35 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

11’ - let off for Beleza as Takahashi’s header at the far post comes back off the woodwork. 0-0

16.04.2025 05:14 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

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