Matildas suffer heartbreak as Japan stunner wins third Women’s Asian Cup crown

• Japan 1-0 Australia (Hamano 17) in final in Sydney

• Hosts fall short despite multiple attempts on goal

In a repeat of their past two finals, Japan has beaten Australia 1-0 to win their third Women’s Asian Cup title in front of a record crowd in Sydney on Saturday night.

A stunning first-half goal to winger Maika Hamano was enough for Asia’s only Women’s World Cup winners, viewed largely as the favourites coming into their seventh tournament final, to secure their first major trophy since 2018.