Tag: Women’s Asia Cup

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Women’s Asia Cup

Japan reach Asian Cup Final in style

PHOTO: @JFA_NADESHIKO (X)

Japan reached their seventh AFC Women’s Asian Cup in style as they defeated high-flyers South Korea 4-1 in the semi-finals.

Riko Ueki struck first, slotting in a neat finish following a defensive mishap, giving Japan the lead in sixteen minutes. This also took her tally in the competition to six goals, and going into the final, she’s top of the rankings for goal scorers and in contention for the golden boot.

Tottenham’s Maika Hamano was next to strike, thundering a well-struck effort into the top right-hand corner at the near post, further extending their advantage over South Korea.

This teed up Manchester City star Aoba Fujino for the third goal before half-time, but it was ruled out for a handball in the build-up from teammate Saki Kumagai.

With a two-goal lead at the break, it seemed like Nadeshiko were well in control.

This remained the case in the second half. At 75 minutes Japan had their all-important third goal. This time, defender Kumagai rose highest from a corner whipped in by Bayern Munich’s Momoko Tanikawa to head home.

South Korea grabbed themselves what turned out to be only a consolation goal just three minutes later. Chae-Rim Kang, on the half turn, made a neat connection on the half volley, and the ball trickled past Ayaka Yamashita in the Japan net. This signalled the only goal Japan have conceded all tournament so far.

However, there was one more twist in this fixture, as Remina Chiba struck back a couple of minutes later. The ball was played across from Manaka Matsukubo, and Chiba picked it up and struck it ferociously into the bottom right, giving goalkeeper Min-Jung Kim no chance of saving it.

Japan will face host nation Australia in the final at Stadium Australia in Sydney, and kickoff is scheduled for 09:00 AM (GMT). It’s a repeat of the 2014 and 2018 finals, as both teams battle it out for the prestigious title.

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Women’s Asia Cup

AFC Women’s Asian Cup Quarter final draw whos playing who?

Photo: @TheMatildas (X)

With the Asian Cup group stage now completed. The final eight teams remain in the fight for the title.

Host nation Australia take on North Korea on Friday, March 13th, at 10:00 AM (GMT) after finishing runners-up in Group A. North Korea also finished in second place, this time in Group B, finishing behind China. The game is being hosted in Perth, at HBF Park. It’s a battle between two of the top goal scorers in the competition. North Korea’s Myong Yu-Jong and Australia’s Alanna Kennedy sit in tied first place in the goalscoring charts, both on four.

In the second quarter-final, nine-time champions China take on Chinese Taipei on Saturday, March 14th. China finished top of Group B, winning all three of their group games. Chinese Taipei, on the other hand, finished runners-up of Group C, winning twice and losing once. This quarterfinal is also being held at the HBF Park in Perth with kickoff at 05:00 AM (GMT).

It’s another Saturday affair for quarter-final three! Group A winners South Korea play host to the best-placed third-finishing side, Uzbekistan. The tie follows the conclusion of quarter-final two between China and Chinese Taipei; however, this fixture is being played at Stadium Australia in Sydney.

Finally, quarter-final four plays hosts to tournament favourites Japan and the Philippines on Sunday, March 15th. This game is also set to be played at Stadium Australia, with an exciting tie upcoming as Japan look to continue their ruthless form in this competition.

In terms of semi-final placement, the winners of Australia vs North Korea will play the winners of China and Chinese Taipei. Whereas the winners of South Korea vs Uzbekistan will face the winners of Japan vs Philippines as the final of the competition on March 21st grows ever closer.

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Women’s Asia Cup

Japan at the Asian Cup – the team to watch this year?

PHOTO: @jfa_nadeshiko ( X )

It’s no surprise that Japan are a team renowned for their technical playstyle, and with the AFC Women’s Asian Cup now underway in Australia, let’s take a look at why Japan are one of the teams to watch during this tournament.

Since the competition began in 1975, Japan has participated in it seventeen times. Impressively, they have reached the final four of the competition fifteen times.

Their record is as follows. Japan has finished in fourth place three times in this competition, with these finishes coming in 1999, 2003 and 2006, with those tournaments being hosted in the Philippines, Thailand and Australia. They would, however, go on to finish third six times. 

In terms of their best results, they won the competition back-to-back in 2014 when the competition was hosted in Vietnam, before then going on to win it a second consecutive time when the competition made its way over to Jordan in 2018.

In their 2014 final, the Japanese team faced hosts of this year’s competition, Australia. Japan claimed their first Asian Cup title, winning 1-0 thanks to a goal from defender Azusa Iwashimizu on twenty-eight minutes. In 2018, Australia would be put to the sword again by Japan as they claimed their second title; this time, a late goal from Kumi Yokoyama on eighty-four minutes claimed a back-to-back title. 

It’s worth mentioning the amount of talent and depth in their squad this tournament. Players like Hasegawa, Tanikawa and Fujino are sure to shine. Hasegawa this season currently has four goals and three assists in all competitions, her best season for goals and assists at Manchester City, and is a vital midfielder for both club and country. Whereas Tanikawa from Bayern Munich is excelling with eight goals and two assists, partnering up with Aoba Fujino, who is having a wonderful season with Manchester City, contributing six goals and two assists so far in all competitions, Japan’s midfield and attack are certainly something to be looking out for as the competition goes on. 

Their opening game against Chinese Taipei ended in a 2-0 win. With goals from Momoko Tanikawa and Kiko Seike, they’re in pole position at the top of Group C, with India up next; a win for Japan would see their place in the knockouts confirmed as they look to gain qualification to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 in Brazil.  

They finish their group stage campaign with a trip to HBF Park in Perth, taking on Vietnam, who currently sit second only on goal difference!