After three seasons of coming agonisingly close — finishing runners-up to the Lion City Sailors on all three occasions, including falling just a single point short in 2024 — Albirex Niigata (S) can finally breathe a sigh of relief. The White Swans were crowned Women’s Premier League (WPL) champions for the first time last night (5 October 2025), marking a historic milestone for the club.
The title was mathematically secured a week earlier, when Still Aerion’s 2-2 draw with the Sailors on Sunday, 28 September left Albirex with an insurmountable lead at the top of the table. But the champions made sure to underline their dominance with a resounding 5-0 victory over Aerion in their final match of the season.
From the first whistle, Albirex were relentless in attack. Their breakthrough came in the 16th minute, when Izyani Noorghani battled through a crowded box to turn the ball home and give her side the lead.
Fifteen minutes later, Sitianiwati Rosielin doubled their advantage, reacting quickest to a loose ball after Aerion goalkeeper Lutfiah Hannah’s initial save.
Player-coach Kana Kitahara, who only took on those dual responsibilities this season, then made it 3–0 with a thunderous strike from distance — a fitting goal from a leader who contributed a total of 22 goals across the campaign.
The league’s top scorer Ruriko Takashima, who finished the season with 29 goals, added a late brace in the second half. Her 57th minute goal saw her weave past several defenders before finishing calmly, and she struck again just a minute later to seal the 5-0 win.
Albirex ended the season with 15 wins from 16 matches, collecting 45 points — their only loss coming against the Sailors. Still Aerion finished second on 38 points, marking their first top-three finish since 2016, while the Sailors were third with 36 points.
The title win also secures Albirex’s qualification for the 2026/27 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women’s Champions League, in what will be their first appearance on the continental stage.
