Japan Advances to Asian Cup Final with 4-1 Win over South Korea

Japan celebrates win against 

Japan beats South Korea 4-1 to face Australia in the Women's Asian Cup final. Japan and Australia clash in the Asian Cup final at Sydney's Stadium Australia on Saturday. Nadeshiko Japan aims for Asian Cup glory against hosts Australia.

Japan's Saki Kumagai headed home Momoko Tanikawa's corner in the 75th minute, putting the game out of reach with...

Japan's women's football team is on fire, cruising past South Korea 4-1 to secure their spot in the Asian Cup final against Australia. The team, led by coach Nils Nielsen, has been dominating the tournament, scoring 24 goals in their first four matches.

Japan's attack was too strong for South Korea, with Riko Ueki and Maika Hamano scoring in the first half, followed by veteran Saki Kumagai and Remina Chiba adding to the tally after the break. The team's impressive performance sets up an exciting final against Australia on Saturday.

Japan's Nadeshiko Japan took the lead in the 15th minute through Riko Ueki's clever finish. Fuka Nagano won the ball on the edge of the box and squared it for Ueki, who tucked it away for her fifth goal of the tournament.

The lead was doubled 10 minutes later, with Maika Hamano scoring a stunning goal. She beat two defenders and curled a shot in from a tight angle, squeezing it past the keeper at the near post.

Japan's Saki Kumagai headed home Momoko Tanikawa's corner in the 75th minute, putting the game out of reach with a 3-0 lead. South Korea tried to mount a comeback, Kang Chae-rim scoring one back, but Remina Chiba dashed their hopes with Japan's fourth in the 81st minute.

Japan's defense had been solid in the tournament until Kang Chae-rim's goal, which marked the first time they've conceded in the competition. Before this, Japan had scored 27 goals and had a flawless defensive record.

“I was very ‌proud of them today. Sometimes it's not easy to just switch and play (a team) that has much more to give and make it look easy - and they actually did it,” Japan coach Nils Nielsen told Australia's Channel 10 TV.

“They actually made this game look fairly easy and comfortable for us but it wasn't, because South Korea is a great opponent.”

Japan will face Australia in the Asian Cup final this Saturday at Stadium Australia in Sydney. The hosts, Australia, secured their spot with a 2-1 win over nine-time champions China on Tuesday.

“I was very ‌proud of them today. Sometimes it's not easy to just switch and play (a team) that has much more to give and make it look easy - and they actually did it,” Japan coach Nils Nielsen told Australia's Channel 10 TV.

“They actually made this game look fairly easy and comfortable for us but it wasn't, because South Korea is a great opponent.”

Japan will face Australia in the Asian Cup final this Saturday at Stadium Australia in Sydney. The hosts, Australia, secured their spot with a 2-1 win over nine-time champions China on Tuesday.

A performance to celebrate from Japan! 🙌🇯🇵

Into the AFC Women's Cup Final. pic.twitter.com/tTkwoEkGdl

— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) March 18, 2026

“The Matildas really have an amazing team, they have adapted ‌to whatever is coming their way,” the Danish coach added.

Japan's women's football team is aiming for their third Asian Cup title, having won it back-to-back in 2014 and 2018, beating Australia in both finals. This will be a rematch of those previous showdowns, as Japan takes on Australia in the final on Saturday.

Australia, on the other hand, has only won the tournament once since joining the Asian Football Confederation in 2006. They'll be looking to add to their single title, which they won in 2010.

Can Japan win the Asian Cup? Final showdown with Australia this Saturday.