Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies 1–0 NTV Tokyo Verdy Beleza | Women Empowerment League | May 10, 2026

In a fiercely contested top‑of‑the‑table clash, Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies edged Tokyo rivals NTV Tokyo Verdy Beleza 1‑0 at Saitama Stadium. The result propelled Urawa to the summit of the Women Empowerment League, leapfrogging their opponents by a single point.

Match Overview

The match was a tactical chess match between two sides renowned for their attacking football. Urawa, playing with intensity from the first whistle, created the better chances in the first half. The deadlock was broken in the 39^th minute when winger Yoshida Minako curled a beautiful free‑kick over the wall and into the top corner, leaving Beleza goalkeeper Yamashita no chance.

Second Half Tension

Beleza pushed hard after the interval, with midfielder Tanaka Hina pulling the strings. Urawa’s defence, led by captain Kikuchi, absorbed wave after wave of pressure. The hosts had to survive a late scare when a Beleza header crashed against the crossbar in the 88^th minute, but Urawa held on for a vital three points.

Key Moments

• 39’ – Goal: Yoshida Minako (Urawa) – superb free‑kick from 25 yards.
• 59’ – Save: Urawa goalkeeper Fukuda made a reflex stop from a point‑blank header.
• 88’ – Miss: Beleza hit the crossbar through substitute Miyazawa.

Standout Player

Yoshida Minako was the difference maker, not only scoring the winner but also tracking back tirelessly. Her set‑piece delivery was a constant threat, and she completed four key passes.

League Standings

Urawa moved to 31 points from 13 matches, one ahead of Beleza and four clear of third‑placed INAC Kobe. The victory also extended Urawa’s unbeaten run at home to seven matches. Both teams now enter the mid‑season break before resuming in September.