With less than 20 minutes left on the clock and a 3-0 lead at the inaugural WE League Cup final, Tokyo Verdy Beleza players couldn’t be blamed for feeling like they had one hand on the championship trophy.

That memo didn’t appear to have reached Urawa Reds Ladies, who equalized the game 3-3 with an inspired burst of attacking before winning a penalty shootout 4-2 to seal a domestic cup double at Ajinomoto Field Nishigaoka in northern Tokyo.

The exciting climax to the first edition of the tournament — established to give the league’s 11 clubs more competitive action in addition to the 22-game season — played out in front of 3,546 fans, an improvement on the pandemic-restricted crowd of 2,427 that attended the opening-round match of the 2021-22 campaign between the two teams at the same venue.

“I’ve never seen so many reporters at a game and I’m grateful that the league was able to create such an atmosphere by holding this final,” Beleza manager Kazuhiko Takemoto said. “(All of) the clubs have to work to create this sort of atmosphere in the league and improve on the pitch.”

Nadeshiko Japan forward Riko Ueki pushed Beleza into the lead midway through the first half, diving low to head in a 25th-minute cross from Nanami Kitamura — only to rush toward the goal and use her head again when her initial attempt rebounded off the crossbar.

Shortly after a hydration break, Ueki led an aggressive Beleza press against the Urawa back line, eventually resulting in a turnover by 18-year-old Aoba Fujino, whose pass found Ueki in front of the net ready to hammer home her second of the day.

“When we were down 2-0 I thought we could somehow equalize and that’s what I talked about at halftime,” Urawa manager Naoki Kusunose said. “The players showed that they weren’t going to give up.”

Beleza’s third goal went to defender Tomoko Muramatsu in the 72nd minute when her lobbed shot from the right side hit Reds goalkeeper Shiori Fukuda’s outstretched stands but still bounced into the net.

Urawa responded with an offensive flurry over the next five minutes, cutting the deficit from three goals to one through scores by Kiko Seike and Kozue Ando in quick succession.

With six minutes left in regulation it was deadly finisher Yuika Sugasawa who evened the game at 3-3 when Verdy substitute Yuzuki Yamamoto was called for a handball in the box to set up a penalty kick.

Both teams converted their first two penalties, only for Beleza midfielder Narumi Miura to strike the crossbar on her attempt. Fujino had her shot saved by Fukuda and Seike slammed home to give the Reds a second trophy this year following the 2021-22 Empress's Cup.

Urawa reached the final after topping Group A on goal difference with a 3-2-0 record, while Beleza escaped Group B — also on goal difference — with two wins and two draws.

Saturday’s game marked the first under new WE League Chairperson Haruna Takata, who this week was appointed to succeed the departing Kikuko Okajima.

“We had a great audience here and watching on TV, and I hope people will see the appeal of professional soccer,” Takata said. “I hope we can create this sort of atmosphere from the start of the season.

The second season of the WE League will kick off with two matches on Oct. 22 followed by three the following day, including defending champions INAC Kobe Leonessa hosting Omiya Ardija Ventus at Noevir Stadium in Kobe and Urawa taking on AC Parceiro Nagano at Saitama Stadium.