Japan 1-0 Australia: Women’s Asian Cup 2026 final – as it happened

The live coverage of the Women’s Asian Cup final has ended.

Japan, the highest-ranked team in the tournament, lifted the trophy for the third time with a solid 1-0 victory over the hosts, Australia.

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“I feel relieved, I think it was a 50-50 game just as I predicted,” Japan’s Greenlander coach 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.”

Click here to read our full match report following Japan’s victory.

“It’s quite hard so soon. Just disappointing to lose,” Kerr, the captain of the Matildas, said.

“I think they just beat us off by one moment. For most of the game, we had the better chances and definitely in the second half, most of the possession

“It was just one moment, and unfortunately, that’s what football is decided on.”

Speaking to the media in tears, Australian defender Catley described the defeat to Japan as “one of the hardest” losses in her career.

“I just think we did everything we could have, we did everything we set out to do, and we played against an amazing side, we were brave, we created chances, and it just wasn’t to be,” she said.

“I’m so proud of this team and so proud to be part of it and to represent what we do and it’s really a hard one. They scored an amazing goal, and that was the difference. That’s football sometimes. It’s heartbreaking.”

“We had opportunities and they [Japan] had a couple of opportunities too; it was a tight game,” Montemurro said.

“We probably needed that little bit of final pass in the first half. In the second half, we found it; we probably played better football in the second half. But we were competing with the No 6 team in the world.

“Credit to the girls for their performance. It just wasn’t our night,” he concluded.

Japan edged tournament hosts Australia 1-0 in ⁠the Women’s ⁠Asian Cup final on Saturday to win the continental title for the third time in ⁠the last four editions and disappoint a record crowd of 74,357 at Stadium Australia.

Maika Hamano scored ⁠the decisive goal in the 17th minute, turning five metres (16ft) outside the box and firing the ball past diving Australia goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold and into the corner ‌of the net.

Australia’s Matildas, Asian champions in 2010, gave as good as they got in a high-quality final and ultimately paid the price for their inability to convert the chances they created.

Record goalscorer Sam Kerr was well shackled inside the penalty ⁠box and her fellow striker ⁠Caitlin Foord failed to make the most of a string of chances.

The Nadeshiko were forced into desperate defence in the final 10 ⁠minutes as Australia, roared on by the largest crowd in Women’s Asian ⁠Cup history, poured forward in search ⁠of an equaliser.

Substitute Emily van Egmond had two shots blocked and Alanna Kennedy’s header from Ellie Carpenter’s cross was well saved ‌by Japan goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita.

Former world champions Japan, playing in their seventh Asian Cup final, held on ‌to ‌add another Asian title to their 2014 and 2018 triumphs.

Japan’s squad is greeted with a guard of honour by the Australians before stepping onto the podium to collect their gleaming gold medals.

Captain Hasegawa then lifts the coveted trophy, joining her teammates before hoisting it high into the air.

A beautiful burst of blue and pink confetti erupts in the background.

Elation all around!

Led by captain Kerr, the Matildas walk up to the podium and collect their silver coloured runners-up medals.

On the way to the stage, they were greeted by Japanese players, who formed a guard of honour for the mighty Matildas.

The head coach, Montemurro, is the last one to receive his medal, and he immediately takes it off after coming off the dais.

Aussie midfielder Kennedy wins the Most Valuable Player award for her all-round impressive display at the tournament.

She receives the trophy to a huge round of applause from the 74,000-plus audience.

Ueki finishes as the top scorer with six goals and wins the Golden Boot.

The teary-eyed forward collects the award, flashing a big smile for the photographs.

Japan’s #1 Yamashita, who conceded only one goal in six matches at the tournament, is rightfully named the best goalie.

The Fair Play award of the tournament goes to Japan.

Captain Hasegawa receives the trophy on the team’s behalf.

The trophy is brought up on the podium by former Matilda Melissa Hudson. A bunch of football officials join her on the stage, as the camera pans to the trophy, which will soon have “Japan” carved on it next to 2026.

The ceremony begins with tokens of appreciation for the match officials.

The teams have gathered on the pitch as the tournament officials prepare the stage for the trophy ceremony.

Meanwhile, the Japan players are posing and making happy gestures in front of the cameras, which are capturing the delightful mood of the Nadeshiko.

“I feel relieved, I think it was a 50-50 game just as I predicted,” coach Nielsen told the broadcaster in a quick chat. “It’s difficult to play Australia in Australia, but the team made themselves proud.

“Perhaps, sometimes we were a bit lucky,” he added.

“It’s very difficult to play in front of an enthusiastic audience like this… Every time we made a mistake, the fans were all over the place. But, I am very proud of the girls… It was very difficult to build chances; we need to work on it.

“But I want to watch the game again on another day. Today, I want to enjoy because it’s only the third time Japan have won. See, we won six matches in the tournament, I think it’s OK, we take the trophy!

“In the end, I am really proud of the girls; they fought with everything, as did the Matildas, and they made themselves proud as well.”

Japan and Australia players are exchanging handshakes and hugs, as the Women’s Asian Cup comes to an end.

The three-week tournament, which saw Japan dominate from the get-go, ends with the Nadeshiko sealing their third continental title.

The Japanese side scored a whopping 29 goals, while conceding only once, en route to the championship.

This also marks their first trophy under Nielsen, the first foreign coach of Japan.

This marks the third time Australia have lost to Japan in the Women’s Asian Cup final.

In 2014, 2018 and this 2026 final, the Aussies suffered a 1-0 defeat.

Many of their players are dejected, covering their faces with their hands, trying to hide their tears.