Alex Bishop

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/...

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

Not like the goals were drying up or anything 🤷‍♂️

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?🤔

Me for @theguardian.com

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

Congrats to Wuhan on winning the first AFC Women’s Champions League 🏆

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.

🟢 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. 🏆 🏆 🏆

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 👎

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.

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

They could at least hand them out for free at games 👎

Tokyo National Stadium draped in JEF Chiba yellow for todays double-header 🌕

Yep. Quite the job for the kit man tomorrow.

En-route to the JEF v Omiya double header at Kokuritsu. The drizzly conditions should make for an eventful set of games ☔️ #Ｊリーグ #WEリーグ

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

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 🤔

🦁 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.

♦️ 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

🟢 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.

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?

Attendance 2,020. Not bad for a Wednesday afternoon 👏 #WELeague

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

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

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

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

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 🤔

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 “must-not-lose” game. #WELeague

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

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

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

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