Japan win Women’s Asian Cup with victory over Australia

Japan have won the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup after a 1-0 victory over hosts Australia in Saturday’s final. Maika Hamano’s superb first-half strike was the difference between the two sides as Japan claimed their third Asian Cup title in front of over 74,000 fans at Stadium Australia in Sydney. The defeat for Australia means their wait for an Asian Cup triumph continues, with Saturday’s match marking their third loss in the competition’s final, having also been beaten 1-0 by Japan in the 2018 and 2014 editions.

Chelsea forward Hamano put Japan ahead in the 17th minute with a fabulous solo effort, collecting Yui Hasegawa’s pass on the edge of the area, turning and finding the corner of the net with a dipping effort. Australia had opportunities to level the scores in the first half with Arsenal forward Caitlin Foord unable to capitalise from a tight angle after being gifted possession by Japan goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita. Foord again had a sighting of goal on the stroke of half time but dragged an effort wide after being picked out by Sam Kerr.

Japan had chances to put the game beyond Australia in the second half. The competition’s top scorer Riko Ueki headed wide after being picked out by a Hikaru Kitagawa cross. West Ham forward Ueki was again unable to add to her tally of six goals, firing straight at Australia goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold having been played through by Hamano.

Australia pushed for an equaliser in the final stages and their best opening fell to Alanna Kennedy as the clock ticked towards the 90-minute mark. Kennedy rose highest to meet Ellie Carpenter’s cross from the right, but Yamashita was equal to it. Kerr had an effort blocked in stoppage time, and goalkeeper Arnold was sent up as Australia won a corner on the cusp of full time, but they could not find a way past Japan, who celebrated a third Asian Cup title from the last four editions of the tournament.