Japan prove Australia’s nemesis again at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup

Staff writer 1524257000,1524257453

The Westfield Matildas have lost just twice in the past two AFC Women’s Asian Cups but unfortunately for Australia both of those defeats have come at the hands of Japan in the Final.

Alen Stajcic’s side dominated large periods of Saturday’s (AEST) Final but were made to pay for their wasteful finishing with Kumi Yokoyama’s late strike enough for Japan to seal victory.

READ: Matildas fall to Japan in AFC Women's Asian Cup  Final

Interestingly, the 1-0 result was an exact repeat of the 2014 decider in Vietnam.

Australia had earlier missed a penalty through Elise Kellond-Knight while Emily van Egmond struck the crossbar with a long-range effort.

The Matildas dominated all the major statistics, recording 23 shots to 5 including six on target, while they enjoyed almost 60% of possession.

Check out all the key stats and facts from the nail-biting Final. 

Opta Widget: AUS v Japan

  • Japan have become just the fourth team in history to win multiple Women’s Asian Cups (China, North Korea, Chinese Taipei), and the first team to win back-to-back tournaments since North Korea in 2001/2003.
  • This was just the second loss in their last 12 games at the Women’s Asian Cup for Australia, with both of those defeats coming at the hands of Japan by a 1-0 score.
  • Japan are now undefeated in their last 11 games at the Women’s Asian Cup (W8, D3).
  • Australia made 33 crosses in open play against Japan, the equal second most of any team in a single game this tournament (36 - Australia against Thailand).
  • Sam Kerr made a joint game-high six total shots (inc. blocks) taking her tournament tally to 21, the second most of any player (Li Ying 25).