Japanese women’s football team coach Nils Nielsen hailed his side’s heroic performance after they lifted the Asian Cup championship with a hard-fought victory over a resilient Australia in the final. The talented Japanese team outclassed their hosts but were pushed to the limit by a determined Australian side.
A 17th-minute strike from Maika Hamano proved the difference in front of more than 74,000 fans at Sydney’s stadium.
Nielsen praised his players’ character, saying, "I'm very lucky to be working with players that are that good. Japan can be an inspiration for many in some ways. We can find a style that fits our players because they are talented.”
“We couldn’t find our own rhythm, but the character of the players, the way they never stop playing, makes us 10–20 per cent better. It’s nice to be good, and it’s nice to be charming, but if you don’t win the tournament, it doesn’t count.”
He added, "We didn’t play to our potential, but the team still made it count. It has been too long since Japan last won a championship, so it was a well-deserved win for the country.”
Japan, consistently ranked among the world’s top football nations, entered as favourites. Australia, meanwhile, played beyond expectations in their bid to claim a first continental title since 2010.
Arsenal forward Caitlin Foord missed three clear chances, yet the Matildas relentlessly tested the Japanese goalkeeper and defence, particularly in the second half.
Nielsen also commended the opponents: “Australia is a world-class team with world-class players.
They were led well by Joe, who always had something up his sleeve. We had a brilliant goal thanks to Maika. She’s a talented youngster who’s on the way up.”
Australian coach Joe Montemurro described the tournament as “an excellent journey” for his squad despite the defeat, with eyes now turning to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
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