The CommBank Matildas were defeated 1-0 by Japan in a hard-fought battle in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ final.
Maika Hamano’s first-half wonder goal was enough to secure Japan’s third Asian Cup trophy.
Head Coach Joe Montemurro made one change to the starting eleven that defeated China PR in the semi-final. Winonah Heatley came in to replace Clare Hunt in the centre of defence.
Australia started the better of the two teams. A slick passing move found Sam Kerr in the 2nd minute, and won the side a corner, before Caitlin Foord had a fantastic chance 10 minutes later thanks to the tenacity of Mary Fowler. The team lined up in a fluid diamond 4-4-2 formation – using the full-backs for width – and the change appeared to be a highly effective one.
However, it was Japan who scored first. A wonderful strike from youngster Maika Hamano from outside the penalty area curled its way into the top of the net to give them the lead.
Caitlin Foord and Sam Kerr continued to be dangerous in partnership up top. Kerr put on a ball for Katrina Gorry, who was not able to steer her header on target. Australia’s high press created an opportunity in the 34th minute, but Foord was not able to convert the opportunity.
Japan continued to have chances of their own as well. Fantastic defensive work from Kyra Cooney-Cross prevented a close-range opportunity not long before the half-time break, and Mackenzie Arnold made a number of saves.
Overall, however, the half was the inverse of the semi-final and the quarter-final – this time, it was the CommBank Matildas who had the better opportunities, but it was Japan who had the lead thanks to a clinical finish.
Australia continued creating quality chances in the second half. Kyra Cooney-Cross got more involved in the game, spending more time on the ball and attempting an audacious shot after winning the ball in midfield.
Still trailing by one, Montemurro turned to his bench for the first time in the 64th minute. Hayley Raso replaced Katrina Gorry in midfield, adding a different dynamic to the team’s attack for the latter stages of the game.
Kaitlyn Torpey had a chance to finish off a move she helped start not long after. Again, high pressure from Australia created a turnover and the ball found Torpey in the penalty area. The left-back wasn’t able to connect in front of goal.
Raso came extremely close to being able to tuck away an effort at close range after a lovely move down the right-hand side. She was denied by the defensive tenacity of Hikaru Kitagawa.
Clare Wheeler and Emily van Egmond were introduced in place of Mary Fowler and Kyra Cooney-Cross in the last 10 minutes of regulation time to great effect. Van Egmond had a fantastic opportunity in the 85th minute, but somehow – as they had done all game – Japan managed to get bodies in the way.
Alanna Kennedy had a sight on goal in the last minute of regulation time, but her header was well saved.
The crowd rose as the team continued to pepper Japan’s goal, but it wasn’t enough to find the goal that they needed to send the game to extra time.
It was a heartbreaking way to lose in a game where Australia had more possession and far better quality chances, but the team can hold their heads high after a fighting performance against the World No.6.
Match Summary
Australia: 0
Japan: 1 (Hamano 17')
Australia: 1. Mackenzie Arnold, 3. Winonah Heatley, 7. Steph Catley, 8. Kaitlyn Torpey, 9. Caitlin Foord, 11. Mary Fowler (10. Emily van Egmond 83'), 14. Alanna Kennedy, 19. Katrina Gorry (16. Hayley Raso 64’), 20. Sam Kerr, 21. Ellie Carpenter, 23. Kyra Cooney-Cross (6. Clare Wheeler 84')
Unused substitutes: 2. Courtney Nevin, 4. Clare Hunt, 5. Jamilla Rankin, , 12. Chloe Lincoln (GK), 13. Alex Chidiac, 15. Kahli Johnson, , 17. Amy Sayer, 18. Morgan Aquino (GK), 22. Michelle Heyman, 24. Charlize Rule, 25. Holly McNamara, 26. Remy Siemsen
Japan: 1. Ayaka Yamashita (GK), 4. Saki Kumagai, 5. Hana Takahasi, 6. Toko Koga, 7. Hinata Miyazawa, 9. Riko Ueki (20. Manaka Matsukubo 57’), 10. Fuka Nagano, 13. Hikaru Kitagawa (21. Miyabi Moriya 83'), 14. Yui Hasegawa (3. Moeka Minami 83'), 15. Aoba Fujino, 17. Maika Hamano (25. Remina Chiba 75’)
Unused substitutes: 2. Risa Shimizu, 8. Kiko Seike, 11. Mina Tanaka, 12. Chika Hirao (GK), 16. Yuzuki Yamamoto, 18. Honoka Hayashi, 19. Momoko Tanikawa, 23. Akane Okuma (GK), 24. Yui Narumiya, 26. Maya Hijikata