Ho Chi Minh City: World champions Japan edged Australia 1-0 to win their first Women’s Asian Cup title in a hard-fought final in Ho Chi Minh City on Sunday.
Azusa Iwashimizu got the game’s only goal from a corner in the first half and, despite waves of attack from the defending champions, the team known as the Nadeshiko held firm.
The win swelled Japan’s already impressive list of honours, which includes the 2011 World Cup and Olympic silver at the 2012 London Games.
Defender Iwashimizu was also the heroine in the semi-finals, when she scored at the end of extra time to settle a thriller against eight-time winners China.
On Sunday, the 27-year-old was on target in the 28th minute for a goal that was ultimately enough to relieve Australia’s Matildas of the Asian title.
Mid-way through the second half, Yuika Sugasawa’s shot cannoned off the underside of the crossbar and onto the line, and shortly afterwards Yuri Kawamura cleared the ball off the Japanese line to deny Australia an equaliser.
But there was to be no more scoring and, as the final whistle blew, the Nadeshiko hugged each other in delight while Australia’s players sat glumly on the pitch.
Earlier, China rallied from their heartbreaking semi-final loss to Japan to beat South Korea 2-1 and claim third place.
