Japan win the Asian Cup after Hamano's strike downs hosts Australia

Japan win the Asian Cup after Hamano's strike downs hosts Australia Maika Hamano 's first-half strike was enough to give Japan victory in the Asian Cup final over hosts Australia. The Matildas went into this with advantage but knowing that their last two Asian Cup finals ended in 1-0 defeats to Japan. And it was the Japanese who were the favourites going into this considering their performances in this tournament.

However, Japan weren't quite as swashbuckling as we've seen them so far, clearly wary of Australia's pace on the break. Still, with Yui Hasegawa in the middle of the park they always looked controlling the game and it was the Manchester City midfielder's lay-off in the 17th minute to Hamano that proved decisive. When Hamano did pick up the ball it didn't seem immediately like there was a threat but the forward, currently on loan at Tottenham Hotspur from Chelsea, quickly turned and fired an accurate shot into the corner.

Australia goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold also looked surprised as she didn't seem to have her feet sorted to get in the way of it. The hosts certainly had opportunities themselves and were almost gifted one by Japan goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita who passed the ball straight to Caitlin Foord but the angle wasn't quite favourable for the forward to take full advantage. Japan didn't have too many more chances as they played out the second half in control while happy to allow Australia to have the ball in certain areas.

Joseph Montemurro's side did have a golden chance to equalise in the final minutes of the game when Ellie Carpenter clipped in a cross that Alanna Kennedy headed towards goal only for Yamashita to pluck it out of the air. Australia continued to press but couldn't find a way through a solid Japanese defence who held on to claim their third Asian Cup out of the last four tournaments.