Japan's City stars crowned Asian Cup champions | OneFootball

Congratulations to Ayaka Yamashita, Yui Hasegawa, Aoba Fujino and Risa Shimizu, who have all helped Japan to the 2026 AFC Asian Cup title.

Yamashita, Fujino and Hasegawa all started for the Japanese in their victory over host nation Australia in the final, with Mary Fowler also featuring for the Matildas in Sydney.

Hasegawa set up Maika Hamano for the game’s decisive goal inside 17 minutes and, despite a couple of smart saves from Yamashita, that was enough for their third Asian Cup title.

After winning the 2025 SheBelieves Cup, Nadeshiko went in as one of the Asian Cup’s pre-tournament favourites and it didn’t take long for them to live up to that billing.

They cruised through to the knockout stages as Group C winners, scoring 17 times without conceding in victories over Chinese Taipei, India and Vietnam.

Hasegawa grabbed a goal and assist in the 11-0 win over India which guaranteed Japan’s spot in the last-eight before setting up Riko Ueki to open the scoring in their final group match against Vietnam.

Fujino also got in on the scoring act in that 4-0 victory, before twice turning provider in Japan’s quarter-final win over the Philippines; a match which also saw Shimizu grab two late assists.

A last four clash with Group A winners South Korea followed, but Japan once again marched on to the Sydney showpiece with a 4-1 triumph, with all four City players featuring.

That set up a tie with Fowler’s Australia in the final, with the Japanese reclaiming their crown from 2018 with a 1-0 victory.

Manchester City Director of Football Therese Sjogran led the tributes for Yamashita, Hasegawa, Fujino and Shimizu after our quartet’s exploits for Japan.

“We’re all so proud of what Ayaka, Yui, Aoba and Risa have achieved with Japan at the Asian Cup,” she said.

“They have each played a crucial role in Japan’s success and should look back on what they’ve achieved this past month with immense pride.

“After winning the SheBelieves Cup last year, to now add another Asian Cup to the trophy cabinet shows the exciting journey their nation is on, and to have four City players helping to continue that momentum is amazing to see.

“I’d also like to say how proud we are of Mary as well for helping Australia to the final. She’s a credit to both her club and her country, and her return to action so soon after her injury just shows the remarkable dedication that we’re lucky enough to see every single day.”

Everyone at City would like to congratulate Ayaka, Yui, Aoba and Risa as well as offer our commiserations to Mary.