Japan defeated hosts Australia 1-0 to lift the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in front of a record tournament crowd of 74,397.
Maika Hamano scored from the edge of the box within the opening 20 minutes of a first half in which Caitlin Foord was unable to make the best of some good positions.
Toko Koga was denied by Matildas’ goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold, while Hayley Raso was played in by Foord, only for Rion Kitagawa to make a crucial interception.
It was Japan’s third success in the last four editions of the tournament, with honours also going to their players Riko Ueki as the top scorer with six goals and Ayaka Yamashita for best keeper, while Australia’s Alanna Kennedy was named the Most Valuable Player.
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