The Tokyo-based outfit broke their own previous record of four successive titles, achieved twice from 1990 to 1993 and 2005 to 2008, and have now been Japanese champions in 17 of the last 30 seasons.

Saturday’s 4-0 away win over Vegalta Sendai took their tally to 42 points from 18 matches, three ahead of second-placed Urawa Reds, who ended their campaign with a 2-0 win at JEF United.

Australia’s Melbourne Victory, Nippon TV Beleza from Japan, China PR’s Jiangsu Suning Ladies Football Club and Incheon Hyundai Steel Red Angels from Korea Republic will go down in the history books as the first four Asian clubs aiming to clinch the first-ever title in a tournament organised for women’s clubs in Asia.

The Committee, chaired by Mahfuza Ahkter Kiron, met ahead of Saturday’s AFC U-16 Women’s Championship Thailand 2019 final, which will see DPR Korea compete against Japan in Chonburi.

Following their 2018 recommendation of the establishment of an AFC women’s club competition, the Committee agreed on a series of competition regulations, with the pilot edition, set to involve the champion clubs from four Member Associations - Australia, China PR, Japan and Korea Republic - to be staged on a round-robin basis from November 26 to 30, 2019.

The agreement follows a process involving the input of both the AFC Technical Division and AFC Competitions Department, with the AFC Women’s Club Championship considered a vital step forward in women’s club football throughout the Continent.

Bell, 58, is Korea Republic’s first foreign women’s national team coach after signing a three-year deal, which lasts until the conclusion of the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup.

The appointment ends the search for a full-time successor to former coach Yoon Duk-yeo - who took the side to the past two FIFA Women’s World Cups – after former player Hwang In-sun served as interim boss during this month’s tour of the United States, which included a creditable 1-1 draw against the world champions.

on Friday, the Continent’s remaining women’s sides will learn their fate in the Asian Qualifiers Final Round Draw at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The revamped qualifying format for the 2020 edition will see the eight remaining teams divided into two groups, with the top two sides advancing to the two-legged play-offs to decide the final two Asian qualifiers.

This will give the Continent’s elite teams the opportunity to play their most significant matches in front of their home fans.

The Matildas, who did not play any matches since the previous update in July, are one place above DPR Korea while Japan climbed by one position to return to the top 10.

China PR and Korea Republic retained their positions - at 16th and 20th respectively - to round out Asia’s top five, while Vietnam climbed one place to 34th after winning the AFF Women’s Championship in August.

The Matildas goal machine and 2017 AFC Women’s Player of the Year found the back of the net twice in Chicago Red Stars’ 3-1 win over Washington Spirit, taking her season tally to 18; one more than the previous record she set in 2017.

Kerr’s 18 goals have come in just 20 appearances, and despite her missing a month of league football due to Australia’s participation in FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019, where she scored five goals in four matches.