SYDNEY (AP) — Maika Hamano’s first-half goal helped Japan beat Australia 1-0 to win the Women’s Asian Cup on Saturday at Sydney Stadium in Australia.
The 21-year-old Hamano, who is on loan from Chelsea to Tottenham, received the ball from the left in the 17th minute, turned around and launched a powerful shot from outside the penalty area.
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Australia applied all the pressure in the final 10 minutes in an attempt to equalize but were continually denied by Japan’s defense, including a close-range header from Alana Kennedy with two minutes remaining.
The Japanese team defeated Australia in the finals for two consecutive years to win the Women’s Asian Cup in 2014 and 2018, and has won three of the past four continental championships.
Asia’s top-ranked side have conceded just one goal in six games in Australia.
The Matildas have not won the continental title since 2010, when 16-year-old Sam Kerr scored in the decider.
Six teams from the Asian Cup have qualified for next year’s Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
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The 12-team event attracted global attention due to the participation of an Iranian team affected by the war in the Middle East.
The Iranian team arrived in Australia ahead of the February 28 US and Israeli attacks that triggered a war between Iran and their involvement in the international spotlight.
Seven members of the Iranian delegation were initially granted asylum by the Australian government, but all but two have returned home.
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AP Soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
