AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026: Japan clinch their third title in the last four editions by beating Australia 1-0 in the final

In the AFC Women's Asian Cup final, Japan triumphed over Australia 1-0, claiming their third title in the last four editions. The decisive goal came from 21-year-old Hamano Maiko in the 17th minute.

Hamano Maiko celebrating the goal that gave Japan their third title. Image | Olympics.com

The Japanese Women's football team has once again proved to be a tough opponent for the Australian Women's football team on the grandest continental stage. In the final of the AFC Women's Asian Cup in Sydney on Saturday, Japan clinched their third title of the tournament with a clinical 1-0 victory over the hosts. This win now solidified Nadeshiko's dominance in the tournament's history, marking their third title in the last four editions. Not only that, Japan has now defeated Australia in three separate finals in 2014, 2018, and 2026, continuing a trend where the Australians have struggled to find a way against an organised Japanese tactical set-up in big games.

Hamano Maiko’s magic

It was the 17th-minute goal from 21-year-old rising star, Hamano Maiko, that decided the final for the Japanese team. Maiko received the ball outside the penalty area, and found the Australian goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold slightly off her line. Maiko then hit the right top corner of the goal with a looping shot to create the deficit which eventually proved to be good enough for the Japanese team.

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Yamashita Ayaka was the star for Japan

While Hamano Maiko provided the goal early, it was goalkeeper Yamashita Ayaka, who was the real star in the goal for the Japanese team.

As the Matildas pushed desperately for an equaliser, Yamashita kept making world-class saves to deny the Matildas. She went on to block as many as five shots on target throughout the entire final.

Her most important save came late in the second half, where she denied a on-target shot from Emily van Egmond and a powerful header from Alanna Kennedy, who was named the Player of the Tournament, within short intervals to keep the game alive for the Japanese team.

Yamashita went on to win the Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament award for her stunning performance throughout the campaign.

Japan was the well-deserved champion of the title, as their road to the title was nothing short of flawless. They finished the 2026 campaign with 29 goals while conceding only 2 goals. Not only this, but they went unbeaten throughout the entire campaign.

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AFC Women's Winners list since 2001

2001: North Korea

2003: North Korea

2006: China

2008: North Korea

2010: Australia

2014: Japan

2018: Japan

2022: China

2026: Japan

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