Know your team: Japan
Japan have a proud AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ record to maintain as they look forward to winning the coveted trophy for a third time.
The Nadeshiko have reached the semi-finals in each of their last 15 appearances and Nils Nielsen’s side - the continent's highest ranked side - will be a force to be reckoned with yet again.
Factfile
FIFA World Ranking: 7
Head Coach: Nils Nielsen (DEN)
How they got there: Third in 2022
Previous appearances: 17
Best placing: Champions (2)
2022 result: S-finals
Fun fact: Japan have not failed to achieve a top four finish since 1986
Making their debut in the 1977, Japan exited at the group stage and suffered a similar outcome in 1980 before starting their rise to the top in the 1986 edition held in Hong Kong, China.
Finishing second behind China PR in the group stage, Japan beat Thailand 4-0 in the semi-finals before succumbing to the Chinese side once again with a 2-0 loss in the final.
After a third-placed finish in 1989, Japan suffered agony in 1991 as they lost 5-0 to China PR in the final.
Despite those heartbreaks, Japan continued to aim for the summit as they made the last four stages of the next nine editions.
Their persistence was finally rewarded in 2014 as Japan got their hands on the trophy with a 1-0 win over Australia in the final, with Azusa Iwashimasu their matchwinner.
The 2014 edition also marked the first time that Japan had beaten China PR in the knockout stage, sending the Steel Roses out of the competition with a 2-1 extra time win in the semi-finals.
Japan defended their title in Jordan in 2018 but only after overcoming stiff competition.
A tough group stage saw them advancing on a better head-to-head record after they were tied on five points with Australia and Korea Republic.
In the semi-finals, Japan once again took out China PR with a 3-1 win to set up a final date with Australia for the second successive edition with Kumi Yokoyama netting the only goal of the game six minutes before the end.
Japan’s hopes of a third consecutive title were dashed in the 2022 edition, with eventual champions China PR showing them the exit following a penalty shootout win in the semi-finals.
The Nadeshiko will aim to bury that disappointment at Australia 2026, and will be armed with a plethora of players plying their trade in major leagues in Europe and the United States.
The only Asian side to have won the FIFA Women’s World Cup, the experienced Saki Kumagai will lead a squad that should also have the likes of Ayaka Yamashita (Manchester City), Moeka Minami (AS Roma), Miyabi Moriya (Angel City), Momoko Tanikawa (Bayern Munich), Mina Tanaka (Utah Royals) and Maika Hamano (Chelsea).
