2018 AFC Women's Asian Cup Final
The venue of the final
Event2018 AFC Women's Asian Cup
Date20 April 2018
VenueAmman International Stadium, Amman
RefereeRi Hyang-ok (North Korea)
Attendance3,065

The 2018 AFC Women's Asian Cup Final was a football match at the Amman International Stadium in Amman, Jordan which determined the winner of the 2018 AFC Women's Asian Cup. The final was contested between Japan and Australia, teams which were also the finalists of the previous edition held in 2014.

Japan defeated Australia 1–0 in the final to win their second consecutive title.[1]

Background

Japan were the defending champions of the AFC Women's Asian Cup having defeated Australia in the final of the 2014 edition in Vietnam to win their first continental title.[2] The two sides had met in the group stage of the 2018 AFC Women's Asian Cup. Their encounter ended in a 1–1 draw.[3]

The match also marked Australia's third consecutive appearance in a Women's Asian Cup final.[4] This feat was last achieved by China which featured in the final of the 2003, 2006, and 2008 editions.

Australia's previous victory against Japan in a major tournament was their match up at the 2010 AFC Women's Asian Cup in Vietnam, where it knockout their East Asian opposition out of the semifinals and win the title. Australia has been beaten by Japan since then including their quarter final loss in the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.[5]

Route to the final

Australia and Japan were both part of Group B in the group stage. Australia finished as group leaders and had to face second-placers Thailand in the semifinal while Japan had to play against China, the Group A leaders. The semifinalists of the tournament including Australia and Japan secured a berth at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup by finishing among the top two teams in their group.

Australia was trailing 1–2 to Thailand in their semifinal tie before Australia made an equalizer just before the end of the regulation time. This meant that the match had to go to extra time but no further goals were made and penalty shoot-out was held to determine which among the two teams to advance to the final. Australia outscored Thailand in the penalties.[6] Japan won over China in the other semifinal with the sole Chinese goal being scored from a penalty kick in the 90th minute. [7]

Japan Round Australia
Opponent Result Group stage Opponent Result
 Vietnam 4–0 Match 1  South Korea 0–0
 South Korea 0–0 Match 2  Vietnam 8–0
 Australia 1–1 Match 3  Japan 1–1
Group B runner-up
Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
 Australia 3 1 2 0 9 1 +8 5
 Japan 3 1 2 0 5 1 +4 5
 South Korea 3 1 2 0 4 0 +4 5
 Vietnam 3 0 0 3 0 16 16 0
Source:
Final standings
Group B winner
Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
 Australia 3 1 2 0 9 1 +8 5
 Japan 3 1 2 0 5 1 +4 5
 South Korea 3 1 2 0 4 0 +4 5
 Vietnam 3 0 0 3 0 16 16 0
Source:
Opponent Result Knockout stage Opponent Result
 China 3–1 Semi-finals  Thailand 2–2 (a.e.t.)
(3–1 p)

Match

Australian winger Hayley Raso, right knee injury, was ruled out of the Final.

In the first half, Australia had a chance to score when they were awarded a penalty after Saki Kumagai handled Tameka Butt’s shot at goal in the 14th minute, but Ayaka Yamashita saved the penalty from Elise Kellond-Knight.

In the 84th minute, substitute Kumi Yokoyama received the ball from Yui Hasegawa and shot the ball into the top corner of the net from 18 yards scoring the winning goal.

Details

Japan 1–0 Australia
  • Yokoyama 84'
Report
Japan
Australia
GK18Ayaka Yamashita
RB22Risa Shimizu
CB4Saki Kumagai (c)Yellow card 14'
CB5Nana Ichise
LB3Aya Sameshima
RM7Emi Nakajima
CM10Mizuho Sakaguchi
CM2Rumi Utsugi
LM14Yui Hasegawa
CF13Yuika Sugasawadownward-facing red arrow 72'
CF8Mana Iwabuchi
Substitutes:
GK1Sakiko Ikeda
GK21Chika Hirao
DF6Saori Ariyoshi
DF17Hikari Takagi
DF23Shiori Miyake
MF12Hikaru Naomoto
MF15Moeno Sakaguchi
MF16Rin Sumida
MF19Rika Masuya
FW9Nahomi Kawasumi
FW11Mina Tanaka
FW20Kumi Yokoyamaupward-facing green arrow 72'
Manager:
Asako Takakura
GK1Lydia Williams
RB21Ellie Carpenter
CB4Clare Polkinghorne
CB14Alanna Kennedy
LB7Stephanie Catley (c)
RM6Chloe Logarzo
CM13Tameka Butt
CM8Elise Kellond-KnightYellow card 80'
LM10Emily van Egmond
CF20Samantha Kerr
CF11Lisa De Vannadownward-facing red arrow 60'
Substitutes:
GK12Casey Dumont
GK18Mackenzie Arnold
DF2Caitlin Cooper
DF5Laura Alleway
MF3Aivi Luik
MF9Alex Chidiac
MF19Katrina Gorry
FW15Emily Gielnik
FW17Kyah Simonupward-facing green arrow 60'
FW22Larissa Crummer
FW23Michelle Heyman
 
Manager:
Alen Stajcic

Aftermath

Japan won their second AFC Women's Asian Cup title. Japan's win also marks the first time a national team won the continental title two times consecutively, a feat last done North Korea who emerged champions of the 2001 and 2003 editions. It was also the first title won by Japan women's team under the tutelage of manager, Asako Takakura and the third major title within the last seven years.[8]

References

  1. "Yokoyama the hero as Japan emerge champions". the-afc.com. 20 April 2018.
  2. "Soccer: Japan reach final of Women's Asian Cup". Mainichi Japan. Kyodo. 18 April 2018. Archived from the original on 18 April 2018. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  3. "Takakura wants more from Japan". Asian Football Confederation. 18 April 2018. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  4. "Japan v Australia: The Road to the Final". Asian Football Confederation. 19 April 2018. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  5. Migliaccio, Val (21 April 2018). "Matildas lose: Japan breaks Australia's hearts in AFC Asian Cup". Adelaide Now. News Corp Australia Network. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
  6. Mackay, Ben (18 April 2018). "Matildas defeat Thailand on penalties to reach women's Asian Cup final". Fox Sports Australia. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  7. "Australia, Japan reach final of 2018 AFC Women's Asian Cup". Xinhua. 18 April 2018. Archived from the original on 19 April 2018. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  8. Yamei (20 April 2018). "Japan wins champion of 2018 AFC Women's Asian Cup". Xinhua Net. Xinhua. Archived from the original on 21 April 2018. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
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