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Alex Bishop @abishop32.bsky.social · 27/06/2025

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/...

japantimes.co.jp

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.

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Alex Bishop @abishop32.bsky.social · 05/06/2025

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.

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Alex Bishop @abishop32.bsky.social · 05/06/2025

Not like the goals were drying up or anything 🤷‍♂️

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Alex Bishop @abishop32.bsky.social · 28/05/2025

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...

theguardian.com

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

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Alex Bishop @abishop32.bsky.social · 24/05/2025

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.

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Alex Bishop @abishop32.bsky.social · 17/05/2025

🟢 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. 🏆 🏆 🏆

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Alex Bishop @abishop32.bsky.social · 17/05/2025

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 👎

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Alex Bishop @abishop32.bsky.social · 17/05/2025

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.

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Alex Bishop @abishop32.bsky.social · 06/05/2025

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

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Alex Bishop @abishop32.bsky.social · 06/05/2025

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

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Alex Bishop @abishop32.bsky.social · 06/05/2025

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

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Alex Bishop @abishop32.bsky.social · 06/05/2025

Yep. Quite the job for the kit man tomorrow.

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Alex Bishop @abishop32.bsky.social · 06/05/2025

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

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Alex Bishop @abishop32.bsky.social · 04/05/2025

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

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Alex Bishop @abishop32.bsky.social · 04/05/2025

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 🤔

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Alex Bishop @abishop32.bsky.social · 04/05/2025

🦁 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.

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Alex Bishop @abishop32.bsky.social · 04/05/2025

♦️ 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

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Alex Bishop @abishop32.bsky.social · 04/05/2025

🟢 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.

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Alex Bishop @abishop32.bsky.social · 04/05/2025

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?

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Alex Bishop @abishop32.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

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

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Alex Bishop @abishop32.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

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

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Alex Bishop @abishop32.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

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

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Alex Bishop @abishop32.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

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

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Alex Bishop @abishop32.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

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

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Alex Bishop @abishop32.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

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 🤔

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Alex Bishop @abishop32.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

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

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Alex Bishop @abishop32.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

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

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Alex Bishop @abishop32.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

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

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Alex Bishop @abishop32.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

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

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Alex Bishop @abishop32.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

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

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Alex Bishop @abishop32.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

Clear skies for today’s decisive match ☀️ #WELeague

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Alex Bishop @abishop32.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

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.

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Alex Bishop @abishop32.bsky.social · 05/04/2025

🇯🇵 🇨🇴 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

t.co

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2025/03/20/soccer/mina-tanaka-japan-star/

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Alex Bishop @abishop32.bsky.social · 27/03/2025

And the JFA have been kind enough to put it in English 😊

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Alex Bishop @abishop32.bsky.social · 27/03/2025

🇨🇴 Following the friendly match on Apr 6th there will be an additional closed-doors training game played on the 8th. There should be ample time to give some of the fresher faces a run out.

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Alex Bishop @abishop32.bsky.social · 27/03/2025

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

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Alex Bishop @abishop32.bsky.social · 23/03/2025

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

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Alex Bishop @abishop32.bsky.social · 22/03/2025

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

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Alex Bishop @abishop32.bsky.social · 20/03/2025

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/...

japantimes.co.jp

How Mina Tanaka evolved into a prolific striker for Nadeshiko Japan

Mina Tanaka is having a moment. The Nadeshiko Japan and Utah Royals striker dominated the SheBelieves Cup, winning both MVP and top scorer as Japan defeated the U.S.

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Alex Bishop @abishop32.bsky.social · 08/03/2025

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😊

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Alex Bishop @abishop32.bsky.social · 08/03/2025

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

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Alex Bishop @abishop32.bsky.social · 04/03/2025

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

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Alex Bishop @abishop32.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

🇯🇵 🏆 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/...

japantimes.co.jp

Nils Nielsen's vision for Nadeshiko Japan comes to life at SheBelieves Cup

The remarkable achievement has brought about a renewed optimism among the fanbase, as Japan seems ready to turn the page after years of perceived underperformance.

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Alex Bishop @abishop32.bsky.social · 27/02/2025

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.

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Alex Bishop @abishop32.bsky.social · 27/02/2025

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 🌸👏

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Alex Bishop @abishop32.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

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

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Alex Bishop @abishop32.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

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

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Alex Bishop @abishop32.bsky.social · 20/02/2025

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.

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Alex Bishop @abishop32.bsky.social · 20/02/2025

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

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