Women’s soccer in Asia can close the gap on Europe and North America with this week’s launch of the AFC Women’s Champions League, say players from Japan’s Urawa Reds Ladies.

The women’s game has exploded in popularity in Europe in recent years, with clubs in England, Spain and Germany enjoying record attendances and investment.

Women’s soccer in North America is also in rude health but Asia has fallen behind since Japan became the continent’s first and only World Cup winners in 2011.

Asian chiefs are aiming to give the women’s club game a shot in the arm when the Champions League kicks off on Thursday.

Urawa won an invitational continental competition that served as a test event last season, and defender Yu Endo has her sights set on this year’s title.

“Compared to Europe, women’s football in Asia isn’t as established yet and compared to the U.S., there are less players,” she told AFP. “I think having a big tournament like this will mean more people coming out to watch games and helping to establish women’s football.

“If Urawa Reds win the Asian title, I think people around the world will take more interest in women’s football in Japan,” she added.

The competition features 12 teams from across the Asian Football Confederation region, although East Asia is more heavily represented.

Organizers say the winning team “can expect at least $1.3 million in prize money”.
Endo says financial incentives give “motivation” to players whose salaries are dwarfed by those of their male counterparts.

But she also wants to make history as the tournament’s first champions.

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