Women's Asian Cup 2026: Japan coach talks favouritism ahead of final against Matildas

Are you a bee or a fly?

It's an unusual question, posed by one of the most fascinating coaches at the Women's Asian Cup.

Japan boss Nils Nielsen is from one of the last places on Earth you'd expect to be a hotbed for producing world-class managers — Greenland.

And as the Japanese have dominated and dazzled on the pitch throughout the tournament, their magnetic leader has done the same off it, all while rocking a gold earring.

After Japan's 4-1 thumping of South Korea in their semi-final, he somewhat tongue-in-cheek declared that Australia would be the favourite for Saturday night's decider at Stadium Australia in Sydney.

When I asked the 54-year-old about that in the pre-match press conference, he saved his best quips for last, triggering a meandering, hilarious, and curious 90-second monologue.

"I will be completely honest with you. That question about who's the favourite in the final, it's like asking a bee to explain to a fly why honey is better than shit," he said — with a straight face.

"It's exactly the same question. We are talking about a final in a major tournament. Both teams can win. They have 50 per cent chance of winning.

"Why is it even interesting in a final to discuss the favourites?

"I will ask next time I get a chance to see a fly, 'why the hell are you sitting on shit when there's honey right next to it?'

"And then they say, 'For me, it tastes better.' I say, 'OK, go ahead. I don't like shit so you can have it, I go for the honey.'

"Maybe [Matildas coach] Joe has a different opinion, I don't know."

As it turns out, Joe Montemurro doesn't, although he phrased it in more conventional terms.

"You'll all have your opinions in regards to ranking, in form, in terms of how we've played, how they've played," he said.

"There's no favourites in the final. It's the best team and the one who wants it more and the one who is smart enough to manage the moments."

Matildas won't stop believing

The straw poll of public and expert opinion has nearly unanimously declared Japan the frontrunner for the final.

The world number six has scored 28 goals and conceded just one across five games, highlighted by that expert dismantling of South Korea.

It hasn't been as straightforward for the Matildas.

There was the frustrating 3-3 draw with the Koreans in the group stage, the dogged defensive effort to beat North Korea in the quarter-finals, and the much more impressive semi-final win over China. Throw into the mix the extra trip to Perth in between.

Australia lost to Japan in the 2014 and 2018 Asian Cup finals, and the last time these sides met, at the 2025 SheBelieves Cup, Japan won 4-0.

But, as we know from the coaches, it doesn't matter, because this is a final.

"We really have that momentum and that never say die attitude," Matildas vice-captain Ellie Carpenter said.

"When can I say that I'll have another final in Australia in a major tournament? Never, probably.

"So this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us and most of the girls' careers.

"We can't forget we're at home, and we need to bring our aggressiveness, our physical game, our speed into this game tomorrow because we know Japan probably won't like that.

"They haven't been tested like that before in this tournament. And we know our strengths, and we have to play to our strengths."

Montemurro says previous results bear little weight.

"We're better prepared because we've found the level of adaptability," he said.

"We've found the level of understanding that when things aren't going the way we planned, we can change and we can find a way.

"And that's a sign of a team that believes, a team that is obviously growing in their own belief with themselves."

Nadeshiko in bloom

Nielsen says the belief is high in his team too, with the team's nickname, Nadeshiko, summing up who they are.

"It's a beautiful little flower that if you see it, you just have to stop and look at it, smell it, and think, 'Wow, what is that?'" he said.

"It's Nadeshiko, it's the Japanese women's football team. And that's what I'm proud of."

He admits the crowd will be a factor, but asserts his players can rise above it all.

"If you turned out the light in the stadium so nobody could see anything, [the players] could still find each other, they could pass the ball to each other," he said.

"They can play faster than almost any team in the world. When they have the day and the moment where they are in the zone, it's incredible to watch, and I enjoy it very much.

"Everybody on a given day can shine because they're good enough to, talented enough to, have the confidence enough to do it."

Whether a bee, a fly, a flower, or a Matilda, all the curious questions will be answered tomorrow night.

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