Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies produced one of the standout attacking displays of the Japanese Nadeshiko League Cup on Saturday, 3 October 2026, beating NTV Tokyo Verdy Beleza 4-2 in a six-goal thriller. In a fixture between two of the most recognisable names in Japanese women's football, Urawa's cutting edge in the final third proved the difference, as they built a commanding lead and then held off a determined second-half response from Beleza.

Played at Urawa's home ground with a 13:00 kick-off, the match delivered everything a cup tie should: early goals, momentum swings, tactical adjustments and a frantic final period in which Beleza threw players forward in search of a way back into the contest. Urawa's four-goal output underlined just how dangerous they can be when their attacking players click.

Match Overview

Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies began the brighter of the two sides, moving the ball quickly through midfield and targeting the space behind Beleza's defence. Their early pressure was rewarded, and once they had the lead, the hosts looked confident and composed in possession, stringing together long sequences that kept the visitors chasing.

NTV Tokyo Verdy Beleza are far too experienced to fold quietly, and they responded with a spell of their own, pulling a goal back and briefly threatening to turn the tie into an arm-wrestle. But every time Beleza gained a foothold, Urawa found another gear — a pattern that defined the afternoon.

How the Goals Came

• Urawa open the scoring: A patient build-up down the right ended with a low finish inside the penalty area, setting the tone for the hosts.
• Urawa double the lead: A quick turnover in midfield released a counter-attack that Beleza could not recover from.
• Beleza respond: The visitors pulled one back before the break, converting a well-worked move to keep the tie alive.
• Urawa restore control: Two further goals after the interval gave the hosts breathing room and effectively settled the contest.
• Beleza's late consolation: A second goal in the closing stages gave the scoreline a flattering look, but Urawa saw the game out.

The Tactical Story

Urawa's approach was built on aggressive pressing and rapid transitions. Rather than allowing Beleza to settle into their passing rhythm, the hosts squeezed the space in midfield, forced turnovers and attacked immediately, often before the visiting back line had reorganised. That vertical style produced four goals and countless other half-chances.

Beleza's strengths were evident in the middle third, where their technical quality and combination play created several promising openings. Their problem was the space they conceded when pushing numbers forward — every attacking surge left gaps behind, and Urawa's forwards were ruthless in exploiting them.

The second half was a game of contrasting intentions. Urawa, with a cushion on the scoreboard, began to manage the match, keeping possession and slowing the tempo. Beleza, needing goals, committed more players up the pitch and were rewarded with a goal, but the trade-off in defensive security ultimately cost them.

Standout Performers

Urawa's forward line was the story of the match. Their movement, link-up play and clinical finishing put Beleza's defence under pressure for the full ninety minutes, while the midfield trio behind them controlled the rhythm of the contest and consistently won the crucial second balls. In goal and at the back, Urawa dealt with Beleza's late aerial barrage competently, even if the two goals conceded will be reviewed with some frustration.

For NTV Tokyo Verdy Beleza, the positives came from their resilience and their attacking inventiveness. Their wide players caused problems throughout, and their second goal was a well-deserved reward for persistence. The challenge for the coaching staff will be finding a better balance between ambition in attack and solidity behind the ball.

What It Means for the Nadeshiko League Cup

Cup football rewards teams who can combine organisation with a genuine goal threat, and Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies demonstrated both. A four-goal performance against a side of Beleza's pedigree sends a clear message to the rest of the competition, and it will do wonders for the squad's confidence heading into their next fixture.

For NTV Tokyo Verdy Beleza, the defeat is a setback but not a fatal one. Two away goals against one of the strongest teams in the country illustrates that they remain a serious threat in any competition, and an improved defensive display in their next outing could quickly put this result behind them.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Competition: Japanese Nadeshiko League Cup
• Fixture: