Japan has cemented their place at the top of women’s football in Asia with a third Women’s Asian Cup crown in four editions after once again getting the better of Australia at Stadium Australia on Saturday night.
In front of a sold out crowd of 74,397, Japan completed a hattrick of finals victories against Australia with another 1-0 win; the same scoreline as their wins in both 2014 and 2018.
It will be a bitter pill to swallow for Joe Montemuro and the Matildas who leave another major tournament on home soil without any silverware to show for it, leaving a golden generation of talent without the ultimate reward that their nation-changing exploits arguably deserve.
But this is a story about much more than just Australia. In fact, in this story the leading character is Japan and their return to the summit after a shock early exit in the semi-finals four years ago.
Nils Nielsen’s side have looked like the Champions elect ever since their first game of the tournament against Chinese Taipei, and while the scoreline read only 2-0 that afternoon, it was a performance that delivered much more.
While they were at times pushed by Australia, they were never totally out of control, even when Australia did create the few glorious chances they did, especially throughout the first half.
The first of those came in just the second minute when Caitlin Foord, with her back to goal inside the area, expertly laid the ball off for striker partner Sam Kerr, but the Chelsea superstar lacked the quality of finish she has so often displayed, not just at this tournament but throughout her career.
In a bright opening for the home side, Foord should’ve done better when found in space by Mary Fowler, fluffing her lines with only Ayaka Yamashita to beat.
They were made to pay for their profligacy just over five minutes later when Maika Hamano, with pretty much Japan’s first real effort, produced a moment of class that was the difference between the two sides on the night.
Receiving the ball on the edge of the area from Yui Hasegawa, the 21-year-old, on loan at Tottenham from Chelsea, took a touch and then produced a wonderful finish on the turn, looping the ball over an outstretched Mackenzie Arnold who could do nothing to deny Hamano her breakout moment.
In that moment the energy was sucked out of the stadium, seemingly absorbed by the Nadeshiko who started to take a stranglehold on proceedings, finding their rhythm to deny Australia the time and space they were afforded at the start of the half.
With the 1-0 lead in their pockets, Japan were happy to sit back and absorb the Australian pressure, and there was plenty of it. While the quality was lacking to find the finish needed, a quality that was there in wins over DPR Korea and China, there was no lack of effort from Australia, who lived true to the Never Say Die Matildas.
But despite everything they threw at Japan, from Emily van Egmond’s effort in the box to Alanna Kennedy’s late header that for a moment had the stadium out of their seats, none of it could find a way through this resilient Japanese outfit.
But this was Japan’s night. Not in their usual swashbuckling style, but a win built on foundations set in place decades ago; foundations of system and structure that continue to serve Japan well at all levels of the game.
More to come
