WOWOW will exclusively live stream all matches of the UEFA Women's Champions League, the tournament that determines the top women's football club in Europe, from the quarter-finals to the final this season. Ahead of the live streaming starting on the 25th, former Japan national team players Kyoko Yano and Aya Samejima, who will be providing commentary for the first leg of the quarter-finals, shared their thoughts on the appeal of the tournament and the matches they will be commentating on.
◇ Kyoko Yano
-- The appeal of the UEFA Women's Champions League
It's a tournament that determines the best women's football club in Europe. Since the top-ranked countries are all from Europe, it's a fantastic competition where you can see world-class quality.
-- What are your impressions of this tournament so far?
The change in regulations gave many clubs a chance. Some clubs fought their way through, while others advanced as expected. I think we'll see more closely contested and exciting games from here on out.
--Regarding the matches you will be providing commentary for
A match between two Spanish clubs is sure to be exciting. I'm really looking forward to seeing how Real Madrid's individual players will strategize to counter Barcelona's organization and individual talent.
-- To the viewers
I believe my strength lies in explaining things clearly. I want to convey things in a way that allows viewers to enjoy the game even more.
◇Aya Samejima
-- The appeal of the UEFA Women's Champions League
This tournament can be called the "pinnacle of women's football," where the world's highest level of skill and intensity clash. In recent years, the level of competition in Europe has improved remarkably, and I think the speed of the transitions between offense and defense and the sophistication of the tactics make it just as exciting to watch as men's football.
-- What are your impressions of this tournament so far?
In a competitive environment with many strong clubs, it seems that not only individual ability but also the overall cohesion of the team is what determines victory or defeat.
--Regarding the matches you will be providing commentary for
The match I'll be commentating on is, without a doubt, a "Japanese showdown"! Watching Momoko Tanigawa and Hinata Miyazawa, two players who compete at a world-class level, is something you can't miss if you want to understand the current state of Japanese women's soccer.
-- To the viewers
This season marks the first time the sport will be broadcast and streamed on WOWOW, so I hope to articulate elements that only I can convey from my own perspective and deliver the depth and appeal of women's soccer in an easy-to-understand way.
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WOWOW will exclusively live stream all matches on WOWOW On Demand, starting with "Wolfsburg vs Lyon" at 2:30 AM on March 25th. Yano will provide commentary for "Wolfsburg vs Lyon," "Arsenal vs Chelsea" (4:45 AM on the 25th), and "Real Madrid vs Barcelona" (2:30 AM on the 26th). Samejima will provide commentary for "Manchester United vs Bayern" starting at 4:45 AM on the 26th.
