Japan captures third crown with 1-0 win over Australia | AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026

Japan claimed their third AFC Women’s Asian Cup title in four football tournaments with a 1-0 win over host Australia in Sydney on Saturday (21 March).

Denying Australia their second continental crown, Japan has the Matildas’ number in the finals of the Asian football showpiece. Japan has come out on top in both of their last two appearances in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup finals, in 2014 and 2018, with victories over the Aussies.

Japan's Hamano Maiko delivered the magic, striking the decisive blow with 17 minutes on the clock to give the two-time champions a 1-0 advantage.

The 21-year-old received the ball just outside before launching the ball into the right-hand corner with a looping shot that caught Aussie keeper Mackenzie Arnold sleeping.

The hosts looked threatening in search of the equaliser, but despite spending long periods at the other end, they could not find the breakthrough. Japan’s defence, spearheaded by shot-stopper Yamashita Ayaka, held strong in the face of the Aussie onslaught.

The second half turned into a battle of attrition, with neither side adding to the scoreboard. With the clock winding down, the Australians threw everything at the Japanese defence and came painstakingly close to levelling the scores.

The relentless Australians pushed until the bitter end, but Yamashita remained rock solid in front of goal, blocking shots by Emily van Egmond and a header from Alanna Kennedy in quick succession.

The Japanese side has struck a fine balance between offence and defence during the tournament, scoring 29 goals and conceding only two to bow out without losing a match.

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