Maika Hamano scored the lone goal as a strong Japan overcame Australia to secure a third Women’s Asian Cup title on Saturday before a record-breaking crowd in Sydney.
The Tottenham star delivered a remarkable long-range strike in the 17th minute at Stadium Australia, breaking Australian hearts and adding to Japan’s continental titles from 2014 and 2018.
Those finals were also against Australia and also ended 1-0.
“I feel relieved, I think it was a 50-50 game just as I predicted,” Japan’s Greenlander coach Nils Nielsen said.
“It’s very difficult to play Australia in Australia and I have to say they made themselves proud.
“In the end, I’m just happy. The girls fought with everything they had.”
The thrilling decider capped a historic tournament that drew more than 350,000 fans, highlighting the growing popularity of the women’s game.
This figure was roughly six times higher than the previous record set in 2010 in China, with 74,397 spectators at the final establishing a new attendance record for a single game in tournament history.
The Asian Cup also served as World Cup qualification for Brazil next year, with Australia, Japan, South Korea, China, North Korea, and the Philippines all securing their spots.
Japan’s squad, loaded with players based in England, was dominant on their way to the final, showcasing fluid play across the field and strong defense to overpower every opponent.
While Australia offered stiffer competition, nothing could stop Japan as they scored 29 goals and conceded only one across six matches, reaffirming their status as Asia’s top team.
“We had opportunities and they had a couple of opportunities too, it was a tight game,” said disappointed Australia coach Joe Montemurro.
“But we were competing with the number six team in the world. Credit to the girls for their performance. It just wasn’t our night.”
Threat
Japan started the final with the same line-up that had demolished South Korea 4-1 in the semi-finals.
Australia made a single adjustment from their 2-1 win over defending champions China, opting for Wini Heatley in central defense over Clare Hunt.
The hosts began composed and sought to control the match, with Caitlin Foord missing an early chance in the 11th minute when Mary Fowler slipped a pass through the box.
However, the unmarked Arsenal striker sent her shot straight to Japan keeper Ayaka Yamashita, wasting a prime opportunity.
Japan capitalized six minutes later as Hamano collected the ball outside the penalty area and fired a 25-yard rocket into the top corner to break the deadlock.
Foord came close again on a loose clearance from Yamashita but failed to score from a narrow angle, then missed another just before halftime.
Japan remained a constant threat, with West Ham’s Riko Ueki nearly scoring twice shortly after the restart.
As the match hung in the balance, Australia launched everything at Japan in a frantic bid for an equalizer amid deafening crowd noise.
Alanna Kennedy nearly scored in the 88th minute, but Japan held firm under pressure to secure the win.
