Eyes on the goal: women's football goes pro in JapanThe new league's organisers hope it will bring prestige and fresh talent to Japanese clubs. TOKYO: As global interest in women's football approaches fever pitch, former champions Japan are eyeing a return to glory with the country's first professional league for female players. A decade since winning the 2011 Women's World Cup, Japan has fallen behind, even as the sport becomes more popular and lucrative elsewhere. "If we can show we're just as great as men's football teams... there will be more sponsors and supporters," she said. "The level of the Japan team will go up if the level of the league rises," she said.

Source: Bangkok Post July 17, 2021 01:52 UTC