Trending Now - Japan Secures Third Women's Asian Cup Title, Defeating Matildas
WHO:
Japan women's national football team
Australia women's national football team (Matildas)
Maika Hamano, player for Japan
Ayaka Yamashita, goalkeeper for Japan
Caitlin Foord, player for Australia
Sam Kerr, captain of Australia
Joe Montemurro, coach of Australia
Riko Ueki, player for Japan, tournament's golden boot winner
WHAT:
Japan's victory marked their third Women's Asian Cup title in four editions, having also won in 2014 and 2018.
The final match was attended by 74,397 fans at Stadium Australia, setting a new attendance record for a single game in tournament history.
The tournament saw more than 350,000 fans in total, which is six times the previous tournament record set in 2010 in China.
Japan scored 29 goals and conceded only 1 throughout their six tournament games.
Japan defeated Australia 1-0 in the Women's Asian Cup final
Maika Hamano scored the only goal in the 17th minute
Japan claimed their third Women's Asian Cup title, having previously won in 2014 and 2018
The final was attended by a record-breaking 74,357 fans
Japan scored 29 goals and conceded only 1 throughout the tournament
Australia had 16 years without a major trophy following this loss
WHERE:
Stadium Australia, Sydney, Australia
WHEN:
The final took place on March 21st, 2026
The previous Women's Asian Cup tournaments won by Japan were in 2014 and 2018
WHY:
The Asian Cup served as a qualifying tournament for the World Cup in Brazil in 2027
HOW:
Japan maintained an unchanged lineup from their 4-1 semifinal victory over South Korea.
Australia made one change to their lineup from the semifinal match against China, with Wini Heatley preferred in central defense to Clare Hunt.
Japan maintained an unchanged lineup from their semifinal match against South Korea
Australia made one change to their lineup from the semifinal match against China
(UPDATED March 22, 2026 01:38 UTC)
Japan has claimed their third Women's Asian Cup title in four editions, having previously won in 2014 and 2018, after a dominating tournament where they scored 29 goals and conceded just one. The final match, held at Stadium Australia, drew a record crowd of 74,397 fans, contributing to a total attendance of over 350,000 throughout the tournament, which is six times the previous record set in 2010. In the final, Japan maintained the same lineup that triumphed over South Korea, while Australia made one change, opting for Wini Heatley in central defense.
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(UPDATED March 21, 2026 23:02 UTC)
In a thrilling Women's Asian Cup final held at Stadium Australia in Sydney, Japan triumphed over Australia with a score of 1-0, thanks to a goal from Maika Hamano in the 17th minute. This victory marks Japan's third Women's Asian Cup title, adding to their previous wins in 2014 and 2018, while the match drew a record-breaking crowd of 74,357 fans. With this loss, Australia continues a 16-year drought without a major trophy, as the tournament also served as a qualifier for the upcoming World Cup in Brazil in 2027.