Albirex Niigata clinch Women’s Premier League title with one game to go

SINGAPORE – Sitting in the stands at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium on Sept 28, Albirex Niigata forward Manami Fukuzawa felt nauseous as she watched the Women’s Premier League (WPL) fixture between Still Aerion and the Lion City Sailors.

It was not just any regular game – the outcome will determine whether Albirex can claim the league title with a game to spare or have to wait until the final round of matches.

Just a day earlier, Albirex had moved closer to the title after a 10-1 victory over Balestier Khalsa, putting them top of the table with 42 points from 14 wins in 15 games in the nine-team league.

Meanwhile, Aerion were on 37 points and needed a win over three-time defending champions Sailors to keep their title hopes alive, ahead of the deciding match against Albirex on Oct 5.

But a dramatic 2-2 draw meant Albirex were confirmed champions at the final whistle, prompting jubilation in their section of the stands.

“I felt like vomiting. At the point when Aerion was leading and it became 2-0, I was already thinking about next week’s game,” said Fukuzawa, who was named WPL Player of the Year at the Amateur Leagues Awards Night Season 2024 in February.

“Since the team was formed, our head coach Kana (Kitahara) has been telling all the players that the aim was to be champions, so I’m really happy we managed to clinch the championship,” the 34-year-old added.

After a goal-less first half, Aerion took the lead in the 60th minute through Sunisa Srangthaisong, who capitalised on a poor clearance in the box before lobbing it over the Sailors’ defence.

Ten minutes later, forward Jaruwan Chaiyarak doubled the lead, putting Aerion in a strong position.

But the Sailors mounted a comeback, forcing an Aerion own goal in the 79th minute before a free kick by Sarah Zu’risqha one minute into stoppage time levelled the score.

The draw placed Aerion on 38 points and the Sailors, who have played a game fewer, on 32, leaving Albirex with an insurmountable lead at the top of the table.

Albirex’s triumph brought an end to a dominant streak by the Sailors, who had won the last three WPL titles.

While Fukuzawa was a bundle of nerves, Albirex’s top scorer Ruriko Takashima, who has netted over 20 goals this season, was composed throughout the match.

To the midfielder, the result mattered little as she had her eyes on the final game of the season.

The 35-year-old said: “As of now, I can’t actually digest (the news), it doesn’t feel like we already have the title.

“We are still aiming for a win next week. And then, after that, I probably will be able to digest the fact that we are champions.”

Player-coach Kitahara, who joined Albirex in 2022, was relieved to have finally won the title after finishing runners-up the past two seasons.

“We’ve been aiming to be champions for the past few years and we finally managed to win it,” said the member of the Japanese team who finished runners-up at the 2015 Women’s World Cup.

“All the players, there’s no one who’s stayed from the start and every year, players have changed. This year, there was a drastic change but everyone has worked really hard so I’m very thankful to this year’s team.”

Despite beginning the season with a 2-1 loss to the Sailors, Albirex have since maintained a perfect record.

Takashima, who joined them this season, credited teamwork as a key factor to their success.

She said: “I joined the team this year but, regardless of that, everyone was really welcoming and friendly and I managed to adapt to the team well and fast enough.”

While Albirex have secured the title, the celebrations are on hold with one more game remaining.

Kitahara said: “Aerion are a strong team, so I was prepared that it would be the title match next week.

“But it was fortunate that we were able to get the title from today’s result, but we still have to aim for the win in the next game.”