Hamano strike crowns Japan Asian champions

Japan won their third Women’s Asian Cup title by defeating Australia 1-0 at Stadium Australia. Maika Hamano scored the decisive first-half goal before a tournament-record crowd of 74,397, adding to Japan’s previous triumphs in 2014 and 2018.

Australia created early opportunities through Sam Kerr and Caitlin Foord, but goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita kept Japan level. Hamano then found room to turn outside the penalty area and sent a curling shot beyond Mackenzie Arnold to establish the lead.

The hosts increased their pressure after the interval while Japan defended with commitment and continued to threaten on the break. Yamashita saved Foord’s late header, preserving the clean sheet and securing another final victory against Australia, the opponents in both of Japan’s earlier title wins.