SOMPO WE League Sees Intense Competition And Talent Scouting

On March 22, 2025, the 15th round of the 2024-25 SOMPO WE League delivered thrilling action as teams battled for crucial points in Japan’s elite women’s football competition. Among the matches, INAC Kobe Leonessa continued their dominance, currently leading with 33 points, while Nadeshiko Japan coach, Nils Nielsen, was in attendance to scout talent for the upcoming East Asia E-1 Soccer Championship.

In a highly anticipated clash, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Urawa Reds Ladies faced off against N Tele Tokyo Verdy Beleza on April 16, 2025. This encounter is vital for both teams, with Urawa trailing by just one point in the standings with 31 points against Beleza’s 32 points. The match is crucial for Urawa as they gear up for their participation in the AFC Women’s Champions League quarter-finals.

Meanwhile, on the same day, INAC Kobe Leonessa put in a commanding performance against AC Nagano Parceiro Ladies, who are struggling in 9th place with only 15 points. Leonessa, having strung together three consecutive victories, showcased their prowess with a decisive 3-0 win. Kararota Suarez opened the scoring in the 38th minute with a header from a left cross by Fuka Mizuno, marking her eighth goal of the season. Just three minutes later, Miyu Ota found the net for her first WE League goal after a goalmouth scramble. Ota followed up with a second goal early in the second half, added to some close moments for Kobe wherein another shot struck the post. With this victory, Kobe has now recorded four consecutive wins.

Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina also made headlines with a strong display against JEF United Ichihara Chiba Ladies. In a tight match, Hiroshima’s Mami Ueno scored first in the 26th minute with a superb long-range effort after intercepting the ball during a Chiba build-up. Later in the match, substitute Erie Ogaya doubled the lead in the 80th minute following a right corner kick, sealing a solid 2-0 victory for the fourth-placed team, who has shown resilience following three consecutive draws at the start of the second half of the season.

In another matchup, Albirex Niigata Ladies struggled to secure a win, drawing 1-1 against bottom-placed Omiya Ardija VENTUS. Yuri Kawamura’s equalizer in the 56th minute was not enough to propel them to victory, with Chie Sasarin having put Omiya ahead in the 33rd minute. Despite the frustrating result, Niigata remains in a competitive mid-table position with a total of 23 points.

Nojima Stella Kanagawa Sagamihara finally celebrated success, claiming their first back-to-back victory of the season with a 2-0 triumph over Mynavi Sendai Ladies. Mayo Otsuki scored early in the 14th minute, followed by Arisa Minamino finding the net in the 32nd minute. This win elevates Kanagawa Sagamihara to 10 points in the standings, while Sendai remains just above them.

After these invigorating matches, attention turned to Nils Nielsen, Nadeshiko Japan's head coach, who was on-site at Fukuoka’s Fukuda Electronic Arena to conduct player observations. With the member announcements for Nadeshiko Japan looming, Nielsen’s visit aimed to scout potential candidates for the East Asia E-1 Soccer Championship, scheduled for July 2025. This championship will occur outside of international match week, allowing for a focus on WE League players.

In a post-match interview, Nielsen conveyed his impressions of the game. "We witnessed an interesting game today. The atmosphere in the stadium was fantastic! I could really feel the energy from the Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina supporters who created an amazing environment from our seats behind their side," he said. This positive appraisal underlines the growing atmosphere around women's football in Japan and highlights the importance of fan involvement.

Nielsen could have taken notes on specific players, considering Ueno's standout performance for Hiroshima and the cohesive play displayed by Chiba Ladies who were praised for their collaborative teamwork. This scouting opportunity reflects a commitment to enhance the profile of Japanese women's football on the international stage.

As the league continues, teams are focused on honing their strategies to improve their standings while also aiming for roster selections that reflect their top talent. With Nielsen's involvement and the competitive spirit exhibited throughout the matches, the stage is set for both individual player recognition and collective team aspirations in the remainder of the season.

The following matches will undoubtedly build on the excitement and intensity displayed on March 22, as clubs strive to make their marks ahead of crucial tournaments and league positions.