The NTV Tokyo Verdy Beleza opened their Nadeshiko League Cup campaign with a statement performance on Sunday, October 11, 2026, defeating Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina 3-1 at home in a match that showcased both the champions' clinical edge in the final third and the resilience of a Hiroshima side that refused to fold until the closing stages.

Match Overview

Played in front of a lively home crowd in Tokyo, the fixture pitted one of Japanese women's football's most decorated institutions against an ambitious Hiroshima outfit eager to prove it belongs among the elite. Beleza controlled the tempo from the opening whistle, dictating possession in midfield and forcing Regina into a deep defensive block for long stretches of the first half.

The three-goal haul underlined Beleza's attacking depth, while Hiroshima's single reply served as a reminder that they carry genuine threat on the counter. The result leaves Beleza in a strong position in their cup group, with momentum building ahead of the knockout phase.

Key Moments

• Early breakthrough: Beleza's pressing game paid dividends inside the opening quarter of an hour, as a turnover high up the pitch led to a swift combination and a finish that set the tone for the afternoon.
• Doubling the lead: A second goal before the interval gave the hosts breathing room, capping a spell of sustained pressure in which Hiroshima struggled to clear their lines.
• Regina respond: Hiroshima pulled one back after the restart, punishing a momentary lapse in Beleza's back line and briefly turning the contest into a genuine fight.
• Late seal: Beleza restored their two-goal cushion with a composed finish in the closing phase, extinguishing any hope of a Hiroshima comeback.

Tactical Story

Beleza lined up with their characteristic high defensive line and aggressive counter-press, squeezing the space in which Hiroshima's midfielders could operate. By pinning Regina back, the hosts forced long clearances that were repeatedly recycled into secondary attacks — a pattern that produced two of their three goals.

Hiroshima's best moments came when they broke the first line of pressure and attacked the channels behind Beleza's full-backs. Their goal arrived from exactly that route, a reminder that Regina possess the speed to hurt even the best-organised defences in the competition. The problem was volume: too few sequences lasted long enough for them to build sustained momentum.

Standout Performers

Beleza's midfield anchor was the engine of the performance, winning second balls and switching play with composure. Out wide, the hosts' wingers repeatedly isolated their markers, delivering the kind of service that makes Beleza so difficult to defend against. Up front, the finishing was ruthless — three goals from a modest number of clear-cut chances.

For Hiroshima, the goalkeeper kept the scoreline respectable with a string of saves, while the goalscorer's movement in behind offered the clearest evidence of what Regina can build on in their remaining group fixtures.

Match Facts

• Competition: Japanese Nadeshiko League Cup
• Fixture: NTV Tokyo Verdy Beleza vs Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina
• Date: October 11, 2026
• Final score: NTV Tokyo Verdy Beleza 3–1 Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina

What It Means

For Beleza, the win reinforces their status as one of the teams to beat in the Nadeshiko League Cup. Three goals at home, a controlled second-half management of the game, and contributions across the squad point to a side capable of going deep in the tournament.

Hiroshima Regina leave with plenty to work on but also with positives: they scored against elite opposition, they stayed in the contest deep into the second half, and their transition game caused real problems. If they can tighten up in possession and defend set-piece situations more aggressively, they remain a dangerous opponent in the group stage.