With only a two-day turnaround following their quarter-final victory over the Philippines, Japan made seven changes to the starting line-up. YAMASHITA Ayaka (Manchester City) started in goal, behind a back four of TAKAHASHI Hana (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Urawa Reds Ladies), KOGA Toko (Tottenham Hotspur), KUMAGAI Saki (London City Lionesses), and KITAGAWA Hikaru (Everton). In midfield, NAGANO Fuka (Liverpool FC) operated as the holding midfielder, with HASEGAWA Yui (Manchester City) and MIYAZAWA Hinata (Manchester United) positioned ahead of her. FUJINO Aoba (Manchester City) and HAMANO Maika (Tottenham Hotspur) occupied the flanks, supporting UEKI Riko (West Ham United) in attack. .....
EAST ASIAN FOOTBALL FEDERATION
NEWS / RELEASE
10MA TOPICS! [JAPAN FA]【Match Report】Nadeshiko Japan Defeat Korea Republic 4–1 to Reach the Final – AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ Australia 2026
+
10passion
Nadeshiko Japan (Japan Women’s National Team) faced Korea Republic in the semi-finals of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup on Wednesday 18 March.
With only a two-day turnaround following their quarter-final victory over the Philippines, Japan made seven changes to the starting line-up. YAMASHITA Ayaka (Manchester City) started in goal, behind a back four of TAKAHASHI Hana (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Urawa Reds Ladies), KOGA Toko (Tottenham Hotspur), KUMAGAI Saki (London City Lionesses), and KITAGAWA Hikaru (Everton). In midfield, NAGANO Fuka (Liverpool FC) operated as the holding midfielder, with HASEGAWA Yui (Manchester City) and MIYAZAWA Hinata (Manchester United) positioned ahead of her. FUJINO Aoba (Manchester City) and HAMANO Maika (Tottenham Hotspur) occupied the flanks, supporting UEKI Riko (West Ham United) in attack. .....
NEXTBACK
With only a two-day turnaround following their quarter-final victory over the Philippines, Japan made seven changes to the starting line-up. YAMASHITA Ayaka (Manchester City) started in goal, behind a back four of TAKAHASHI Hana (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Urawa Reds Ladies), KOGA Toko (Tottenham Hotspur), KUMAGAI Saki (London City Lionesses), and KITAGAWA Hikaru (Everton). In midfield, NAGANO Fuka (Liverpool FC) operated as the holding midfielder, with HASEGAWA Yui (Manchester City) and MIYAZAWA Hinata (Manchester United) positioned ahead of her. FUJINO Aoba (Manchester City) and HAMANO Maika (Tottenham Hotspur) occupied the flanks, supporting UEKI Riko (West Ham United) in attack. .....
![10MA TOPICS! [CHINA FA][AFC WOMEN'S ASIAN CUP] China PR’s Milicic looks forward after semi-final disappointment](https://image.eaff.com/index/8668.jpg)
![10MA TOPICS! [KOREA FA][AFC WOMEN'S ASIAN CUP] Kim has no doubt Korea Republic will overcome barrier](https://image.eaff.com/index/8667.jpg)
![10MA TOPICS! [JAPAN FA][AFC WOMEN'S ASIAN CUP] Confident Tanikawa determined to power Japan](https://image.eaff.com/index/8666.jpg)
![10MA TOPICS! [CHINA FA][AFC WOMEN'S ASIAN CUP] Wang counting on experience to fuel China PR’s final push](https://image.eaff.com/index/8662.jpg)
![10MA TOPICS! [NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS FA] AFC Women’s Football Day 2026](https://image.eaff.com/index/8664.jpg)
![10MA TOPICS! [JAPAN FA][AFC WOMEN'S ASIAN CUP] Patience was key, says Japan’s Koga](https://image.eaff.com/index/8661.jpg)
![10MA TOPICS! [JAPAN FA][AFC WOMEN'S ASIAN CUP] Japan’s Nielsen shifts attention to Korea Republic](https://image.eaff.com/index/8660.jpg)
![10MA TOPICS! [JAPAN FA]【Match Report】Nadeshiko Japan Cruise Past the Philippines to Seal a 10th Consecutive FIFA Women’s World Cup™ Berth – AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ Australia 2026](https://image.eaff.com/index/8665.jpg)
