Sydney: Japan women’s national football team defeated hosts Australia women’s national football team 1-0 to lift their third Women’s Asian Cup crown in front of a tournament-record crowd of 74,397 at Stadium Australia in Sydney on Saturday.
The tightly contested final was decided by a moment of brilliance from Maika Hamano, who unleashed a fierce strike from the edge of the box in the 17th minute, sending the ball into the far bottom corner and giving Japan an early advantage.
Australia created several gilt-edged chances but failed to break through, suffering a third successive Asian Cup final defeat to Japan after losing to the same opponents in 2014 and 2018.
The result also extended the Matildas’ wait for a second continental title, their only triumph coming in 2010.
Caitlin Foord came closest for the hosts in the first half, squandering three opportunities. Her best chance arrived after a misplaced pass from Japan goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita, but she fired wide from a tight angle.
Japan nearly doubled their lead before the break when full-back Toko Koga met a back-post delivery from Hinata Miyazawa with a powerful drive, only for goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold to produce a sharp save.
The tempo remained frenetic after halftime, with both sides pushing for another goal. Australia pressed late on, and Hayley Raso was denied by a crucial last-ditch intervention from Rion Kitagawa following a brilliant run by Foord.
In the 85th minute, substitute Emily van Egmond had a final chance when the ball fell kindly in the box, but Japan’s resolute defence held firm to secure a hard-fought victory and another continental crown.
Source: BBC
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