NTV Tokyo Verdy Beleza edged a five-goal thriller in the Women Empowerment League, coming away from Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina with a 3-2 victory on 18 October 2026. In a match that swung back and forth, the visitors' attacking quality in the final third proved decisive, handing them three valuable points in the race at the top of the table.

Match overview

Both sides arrived with attacking intent and the game delivered almost immediately, with the first half producing the kind of open, end-to-end football that has become a signature of the WE League. Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina, playing at home, started brightly and asked questions of Beleza's back line with direct running in behind, while the Tokyo side responded with patient possession and quick combinations through midfield.

The tone was set early: neither team was willing to sit deep, and the result was a contest with chances at both ends, a series of momentum shifts, and a scoreline that stayed in the balance until the closing stages.

Key moments

• The opener: Regina struck first, capitalising on a quick transition and finishing with confidence to send the home supporters into full voice.
• The equaliser: Beleza's response was swift, a well-worked move down the flank ending with a finish that levelled the score and restored the visitors' composure.
• The second half surge: Beleza came out after the interval with greater intensity, turning the game around with two goals in a productive spell that forced Regina onto the back foot.
• The late reply: Regina pulled one back to set up a tense final stretch, but Beleza managed the closing minutes intelligently, slowing the tempo and defending their penalty area with discipline.

Tactical story

Beleza's strength on the day came from their control of the middle third. Their midfielders repeatedly found pockets of space between Regina's lines, and their wide players stretched the pitch to create one-on-one situations on both sides. Once they established that rhythm in the second half, the home side struggled to win the ball back quickly and were forced into a long, tiring defensive spell.

Regina's approach was more direct, and it caused Beleza real problems in the opening period. Their willingness to play forward early and press high produced turnovers in dangerous areas and briefly gave them the upper hand. But as the game wore on, that aggressive pressing became harder to sustain, and the gaps that opened up in behind were exploited.

Standout performers

Beleza's attacking unit was the difference. The forward line combined neatly throughout, and their finishing in the second half showed the quality that has made the club one of the most respected names in Japanese women's football. Contributions from midfield, particularly in the build-up to the equaliser, underlined the depth of the squad.

For Regina, the performance was far from a disappointment. The hosts showed character to keep pushing after conceding twice in quick succession, and their late goal reflected their persistence. Their attacking link-up play and the energy of their pressing in the first half gave Beleza plenty to think about.

Table and season impact

The result is significant in an increasingly competitive WE League campaign. Beleza's ability to win on the road against a strong opponent is exactly the type of result that distinguishes genuine title contenders, and the three points will be valuable as the season moves into its decisive phase. Regina, meanwhile, will take encouragement from the performance even as they rue the defensive lapses that cost them.

In a league where the top sides are separated by narrow margins, results like this one often decide the final standings. Beleza's attacking output has given them an edge, while Regina's home form remains a platform to build on.

What's next

Both clubs head into a busy stretch of fixtures, with squad rotation likely to be a factor. Beleza will look to carry their attacking momentum forward, while Regina will focus on tightening up defensively without losing the ambition that made this such an entertaining contest.