Alex Bishop
@abishop32.bsky.social
Tokyo based freelance sportswriter focused on #WoSo in Japan 🇯🇵 | works for @theguardian.com @japantimes.co.jp - DM for enquiries 👍
🔗 https://linktr.ee/abishop32
🔗 https://linktr.ee/abishop32
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/...
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/...
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.
www.japantimes.co.jp
June 27, 2025 at 1:52 PM
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/...
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...
But what does this mean for the wider women's game across the region?🤔
Me for @theguardian.com
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
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
www.theguardian.com
May 28, 2025 at 12:23 PM
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...
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.
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.
May 24, 2025 at 3:04 PM
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.
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. 🏆 🏆 🏆
Everything came together for them today, capping off a tough but well managed season. 🏆 🏆 🏆
May 17, 2025 at 7:06 AM
🟢 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. 🏆 🏆 🏆
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.
May 17, 2025 at 3:02 AM
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 🌕
May 6, 2025 at 1:33 AM
Tokyo National Stadium draped in JEF Chiba yellow for todays double-header 🌕
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 🤔
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 🤔
May 4, 2025 at 9:20 AM
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 🤔
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?
🧵 But who needs what?
May 4, 2025 at 2:38 AM
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?
🧵 But who needs what?
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
♦️ 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
April 16, 2025 at 6:52 AM
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
♦️ 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
🟢 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
April 16, 2025 at 6:44 AM
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
🟢 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
April 16, 2025 at 6:40 AM
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
April 16, 2025 at 6:31 AM
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 🤔
Shiokoshi has looked lively in both defense and attack so far. Not so sure about that one 🤔
April 16, 2025 at 6:19 AM
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 🤔
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
April 16, 2025 at 6:15 AM
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
April 16, 2025 at 6:05 AM
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
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
April 16, 2025 at 5:50 AM
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
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
11’ - let off for Beleza as Takahashi’s header at the far post comes back off the woodwork. 0-0
April 16, 2025 at 5:14 AM
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
April 16, 2025 at 5:00 AM
Not bad for a Wednesday afternoon! 📢 #WELeague #UrawaReds
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.
A draw would be boring but would put Beleza top on GD.
April 16, 2025 at 3:17 AM
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.
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
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
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2025/03/20/soccer/mina-tanaka-japan-star/
t.co
April 5, 2025 at 10:41 PM
🇯🇵 🇨🇴 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
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
👏 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
March 27, 2025 at 5:41 AM
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
👏 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