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/...

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. 🏆 🏆 🏆

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.

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

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

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 🤔

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

Not bad for a Wednesday afternoon! 📢 #WELeague #UrawaReds

Clear skies for today’s decisive match ☀️ #WELeague

En route to Komaba for the #WELeague midweek Urawa v Beleza crunch game. Winner goes top and takes the driving seat with 5 games left. A draw would be boring but would put Beleza top on GD.

🇯🇵 🇨🇴 Today #Nadeshiko Japan take on Colombia in the first of a two-part exhibition series (second behind closed doors). Earlier this year I spoke with the nation’s first-choice striker Mina Tanaka who told us all about the current state of play. t.co/iSMUgLaMAz

The full #Nadeshiko squad for the upcoming international window 👏 Runa Konomi (GK) and Rio Sasaki (DF) receive their first senior call ups 🌹 Hina Sugita returns after falling out of consideration for quite some time 🇯🇵 A total of 9 WE League based players included this time

3 hours to kick off and Kumagaya is already becoming a sea of red ♦️#AWCL #UrawaReds

Katayanagi Arena in Ota-ku for some Saturday night B3 action 🏀 Definitely getting Andy’s room from Toy Story vibes 😆 #Ｂリーグ

The Big Interview: It was a pleasure speaking with Mina Tanaka of #NadeshikoJapan & @utahroyalsfc.com 🏆Accolades at SheBelieves 🟢Elite beginnings at Beleza 🇯🇵WE League attendances 🌏The new #FIFAWCWC ✍️ all this and more in my latest for @japantimes.co.jp www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2025/...

With todays #WELeague action all wrapped up it’s time to wish everyone a happy #IWD2025 🎉 Telling the incredible stories of the women that challenge adversity and strive towards greatness is a true honor and privilege I feel everyday😊

An excellent achievement on #InternationalWomensDay 🎉 🟣 Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina have smashed the #WELeague attendance record with over 20k at their game v Urawa today 👏 👏 👏

Yuki Nagasato calls time on an illustrious career largely spent away from Japanese shores. I had the pleasure of interviewing the former World Cup winner back in July for @theguardian.com Her outlook on the game was intriguing to say the least 👇 t.co/7Me18OCpfH

🇯🇵 🏆 The triumph at #SheBelieves is commendable in itself, but what did it tell us about Nielsen’s vision for Nadeshiko Japan? ✍️ In my latest for @JapanTimes.co.jp I examine the key takeaways from a superbly well managed campaign. www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2025/...

Co-commentator Mana Iwabuchi encourages fans and media to not get carried away with expectations moving forward. High expectations come with added pressure that can be tough for players, especially younger players, to deal with at major competitions.

FT JPN 2-1 USA 🏆🏆🏆 Japan clinch a first #shebelieves title with a momentous victory over the US. Despite being an exhibition comp, this was a fiercely contested encounter between two heavyweight teams that Japan handled exceptionally well. Congrats to #NielsenJapan 🌸👏

How I have Japan’s starting (L) and finishing (R) formations for today. 4-3-3 to 4-4-2.

FT: AUS 0-4 JPN The Nielsen era gets off to a flying start as Japan cruise to comfortable win over Australia. They were well organized and aggressive both in and out of possession which sets a great precedent moving forward. Onwards to Colombia! #SheBelievesCup

Japan’s current formation in possession. 4-3-3 with Kumagai as the 6. In the early stages they’ve been sending a lot down the left flank with Kitagawa and Fujino overlapping well with both Hasegawa and Kumagai offering options.

HT: AUS 0-2 JPN An assertive showing from Japan sees them head in deservedly in front. Some of the pressing has been excellent and Australia have struggled to deal with them both in and out of possession. All looking good so far. #SheBelievesCup

🇯🇵 Nils Nielsen’s long awaited debut outing as Nadeshiko boss is upon us. But how might his Japan side fare against top opposition in the 2025 edition of the #SheBelievesCup? ⬇️ Find out in my preview for @japantimes.co.jp www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2025/...

🗣️”I place importance on the team’s attitude on the pitch and to mindsets such as a winning mentality.” Nielsen’s opening match as #Nadeshiko boss is almost upon us. But just what can we expect from him at #SheBelieves 2025? ✍️ Me for @japantimes.co.jp www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2025/...

Two powerhouses of Asian football are set to open the 2025 edition of #SheBelieves in style. @itspoletti.bsky.social and I go over all things Nadeshiko Japan as well as side stepping into topics surrounding the domestic game of these two nations in general. 🇦🇺 🇯🇵 Join us! 👇

🇯🇵 Nils Nielsen’s long awaited debut outing as Nadeshiko boss is upon us. But how might his Japan side fare against top opposition in the 2025 edition of the #SheBelievesCup? ⬇️ Find out in my preview for @japantimes.co.jp www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2025/...

🎙️ It was a pleasure to sit down with Leah Blayney and hear all about her journey through football so far As a new chapter begins with Japan, the ex Matildas U20 head coach looks ahead to the #SheBelievesCup and an opener against some old friends ://open.spotify.com/episode/0lHWnOpEDhEHfG3fw4YYfW

In position at Kingsmeadow for the decisive semifinal between #ChelseaW and #WestHamW. #Nadeshiko call ups Hamano and Ueki ate set to start for their respective teams 🔵⚒️ #なでしこジャパン

🇯🇵 Nils Nielsen’s first squad selection for SheBelieves this month. Narumiya, Momiki and Takarada are back in after a not being involved much under Ikeda. Seike, who has been entirely absent from recent Brighton games, is also there. 19/23 are based outside of Japan. www.jfa.jp/nadeshikojap...

Dropping in at Loftus Road for an evening with Koki Saito #QPR

Off to the capital for the next leg of my WoSo tour of 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

A few snaps from the first two matches of my #WSL tour 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Man U v Man C and Everton v Spurs. Both games produced some fine moments and plenty of goals to talk about. Also really loving the vibe here 👌

🇯🇵 Nils Nielsen is tasked with guiding Nadeshiko Japan back to the dizzy heights of its 2011 heyday. But how might he succeed where others failed? The Greenlander puts forth his opinions and intentions in my latest exclusive for @theguardian.com newsletter, Moving the Goalposts t.co/LnvWHO3hvb

🗣️ “if football was played only in the space between the two penalty areas then Japan would perhaps be the most successful team in history.” This and many more golden nuggets in my exclusive interview with Nadeshiko boss, Nils Nielsen. ✍️ Drops tomorrow for @theguardian.com