Clinical Japan secure spot in Asian Cup final | OneFootball

City’s Ayaka Yamashita, Yui Hasegawa and Aoba Fujino all played key roles as Japan beat South Korea 4-1 to confirm their place in the Asian Cup final.

Japan, somehow, continued to take their Asian Cup performances up a level.

Their relentless running, fast pace play and clinical edge saw them take a deserved lead on 15 minutes with Riko Ueki converting from close range after a high press by Japan caught South Korea off guard.

10 minutes later Maika Hamano doubled Japan’s lead from a tight angle near the right byline.

Fujino thought she’d made it three with a fine finish just before the break. But a VAR check for handball in the build-up saw her goal overturned.

South Korea showed real grit in the second half and kept themselves within touching distance of sparking a comeback.

However, a fantastic header by Saki Kumagai extended Japan’s lead on 75 minutes.

A clinical strike on the half turn by South Korea’s Kang Chae-rim three minutes later made it 3-1 and teed up an exciting final 10 as Hasegawa and Fujino made way for fresh legs.

South Korea’s goal gave them motivation to go on the hunt, but it left them exposed at the back. A lightning quick counter saw Remina Chiba thump an effort home to restore Japan’s three-goal advantage.

Yamashita did well to deny South Korea from finding any more goals in the final exchanges, with Risa Shimizu, on loan at Liverpool, introduced as a late substitution to help Japan confirm their place in the final.

Japan will face Australia in the showpiece on Saturday 21 March, with a City-centric report to follow the full-time whistle on mancity.com and the Official Man City App.

City v Spurs: Last chance to buy tickets!

We’re back in action at the Joie Stadium on Saturday 21 March, when we welcome Tottenham Hotspur for a 12:00 (UK) kick-off.

City sit top of the WSL table with just five matches remaining, boasting a 100% record on home soil, but that’ll be put to the test against the visitors.

Indeed, Spurs still hold faint hopes of European qualification and have lost just once on the road in 2026, even winning their last away fixture in the WSL 7-3 at Aston Villa.

It all points towards another thrilling clash at the Joie Stadium. Seated tickets are available from just £15 for adults and £6 for Under-16s, with standing tickets on sale for just £13 for adults or £5 for Under-16s.

Don’t miss out as City’s push for the WSL title continues!

Get your City v Tottenham Hotspur tickets!