The CommBank Young Matildas have been defeated 5-2 by Japan in their final game in Group C at the AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup Thailand 2026™.
The result means that they have finished second in their group and will await results elsewhere to determine their quarter-final opponent.
Avaani Prakash scored the first goal of the game while Daisy Brown came off the bench to score Australia's second.
Head Coach Alex Epakis made one change to the side that defeated India 5-0 last time out. Talia Younis came back into the starting lineup, after starting Game One. That meant that Danella Butrus moved to the bench.
The first ten minutes started evenly, with both sides sharing possession. Australia had the first look on goal as Skye Halmarick was played through on goal within the first couple of minutes by Talia Younis, but couldn’t advance close enough for a clear-cut chance.
Japan made their mark on the first half, but it was Australia who scored first after building from the cooling break. Halmarick hustled to win the ball high, playing it on to Avaani Prakash. It was a wonderful couple of touches from Prakash who controlled the ball wonderfully and slotted home in the bottom corner.
Japan equalised just before half-time. Noa Fukushima got on the end of a nice passing move on Japan’s left. She stepped past Australia’s defence and finished well into the back of the net.
The game remained even early on in the second half, but it was Japan who would take the lead. Fukushima scored her second after being played in behind. Ilona Melegh got a touch, but it wasn’t quite enough, as the ball rolled over the line.
Alex Epakis made his first change after the goal. Danella Butrus entered the field of play, replacing Talia Younis.
Natsumi Tago made it three for Japan in the 65th minute through a ball in behind that was initially saved, but the follow-up could not be prevented.
The 69th minute saw two further substitutes for Australia – Daisy Brown and Poppy O’Keeffe – replacing Emma Dundas and Skye Halmarick. Ten minutes later, Sienna Dale and Amelia Cassar entered for Peta Trimis and Zara Kruger.
Miki Kimura hit a quickfire double late in the half. The first was a strike fired in at the near post, and the second was a lob into the far corner. Those goals made it five for Japan.
The CommBank Young Matildas kept fighting until the final minute. Daisy Brown scored her second goal of the tournament following the great work from Avaani Prakash, dragging the scoreline back to 5-2. However, it wasn’t to be, and Australia finished second in the group.
They will take on either DPR Korea or Korea Republic in the quarter-final.
Match Summary
Japan: 5 (Fukushima 45+3’, 54’, Tago 65’, Kimura 81’, 84’)
Australia: 2 (Prakash 39’, Brown 86’)
Japan: 1. Uruha Iwasaki (GK), 2. Yuna Aoki (18. Hibari Hara 80’), 4. Tamami Aso, 6. Rinka Higuchi (17. Yura Honda 60’), 7. Miyu Matsunaga (Konoha Nakamura 71’), 8. Asako Furuta, 10. Mao Itamura, 11. Natsumi Tago (9. Anon Tsuda 70’), 15. Momoka Honda, 20. Mone Sato, 21. Noa Fukushima (13. Miki Kimura 81’)
Unused substitutes: 3. Mitsuki Ota, 5. Haruko Suzuki, 12. Hinaha Ishida (GK), 19. Nastume Kingetsu, 22. Momoka Sano, 23. Sako Nawa (GK)
Yellow cards: Furuta 83’
Australia: 1. Ilona Melegh (GK), 3. Tegan Bertolissio, 6. Emma Dundas (11. Poppy O’Keeffe 69’), 9. Skye Halmarick (5. Daisy Brown 69’), 13. Shelby McMahon, 14. Zara Kruger (8. Amelia Cassar 79’), 15. Alexia Apostolakis, 16. Avaani Prakash, 19. Talia Younis (20. Danella Butrus 62’), 21. Peta Trimis (23. Sienna Dale 79’), 22. Rubi Sullivan
Unused substitutes: 2. Amelia Bennett, 4. Alexis Collins, 7. India Breier, 10. Tiana Fuller, 12. Jasmine Black (GK), 17. Caley Tallon-Henniker, 18. Georgia Ritchie (GK)
Yellow cards: Melegh 20’, Bertolissio 26’, Dundas 42’
