AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026: Australia looks to secure the home title against tournament favorites Japan

Australian coach Joe Montemurro will demand courage from his players and hope for more Sam Kerr magic when the Matildas take on strong favorites and familiar foes Japan in the Women’s Asian Cup final in Sydney on Saturday.

A tournament that has broken the attendance records of all previous editions concludes with a huge crowd at Stadium Australia in a dream final for local fans and organizers.

Australia hasn’t exactly enjoyed the sellout crowds and ‘Matildas Mania’ that took the country to the semi-finals of its home 2023 World Cup.

But it has received much praise for holding up under significant pressure as a host.

It was persistent, rough and rarely beautiful, but enough to earn them a shot at a second Asian Cup trophy, 16 years after their first in 2010.

A 16-year-old Kerr was part of that 2010 victory, scoring a goal in the final against North Korea.

Montemurro will wish the same for the now 32-year-old Kerr, who put the Matildas in this year’s decider with a stylish second-half winner against China.

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It could well be the last chance for some of Australia’s so-called ‘Golden Generation’ to claim a rare major trophy, with the likes of Katrina Gorry, Emily van Egmond and Steph Catley in the final stages of their careers.

Young and old will have to step up to ensure the front three of Kerr, Mary Fowler and Caitlin Foord are supplied as they try to hold off Japan’s machine-like attack.

Loaded with players competing in Europe’s top leagues, the “Nadeshiko” scored 28 goals in their five matches, eventually conceding their first goal in the ⁠4-1 semi-final against South Korea.

West Ham United striker Riko Ueki leads the tournament with six goals, but Japan finds the net everywhere.

CRUSHLESS PRESSURE

South Korea, who held Australia to a 3-3 draw during the group stage, played the Japanese at the back five times but collapsed under the pressure of the ruthless, high-possession game, a style Montemurro has tried to bring to the Matildas with only partial success.

Under Danish head coach Nils Nielsen, Japan’s first foreign boss, the Nadeshiko has come on leaps and bounds since being eliminated in the quarter-finals at both the 2023 World Cup and the Paris Olympics.

Months into his tenure, Nielsen oversaw a 4-0 thrashing of the Matildas in last year’s SheBelieves Cup in the United States.

Japan has no shortage of data on the Australians, with former Swiss coach Nielsen familiar with Fowler and midfielder Alanna Kennedy during his stint as director of football in the Women’s Super League at Manchester City.

His Australian assistant coach Leah Blayney is a 16-cap former Matilda who coached a number of Montemurro’s squad in junior national teams.

While the Matildas tend to play out of their skin with the support of a large home crowd, 2011 world champions Japan have history on their side.

Both Asian Cup titles were sealed by beating Australia 1-0 in the 2014 and 2018 finals in Vietnam and Jordan.

It will take something special from the Matildas to avoid a third heartbreak on Saturday.

Published on March 20, 2026