Report: City quartet help Japan to Asian Cup glory | OneFootball

Four City stars were in action as Japan edged out Australia to reclaim the AFC Women’s Asian Cup crown with a 1-0 win in Sydney.

Ayaka Yamashita, Yui Hasegawa and Aoba Fujino all started for Japan with Risa Shimizu an unused substitute, while Mary Fowler lined up for hosts Australia in a keenly fought contest.

A re-run of the 2018 final between the two sides, Japan once again ran out 1-0 winners and, in a repeat of that showpiece eight years ago, Hasegawa provided the assist for the game’s decisive moment.

Nadeshiko took the lead in stunning fashion after 16 minutes, when Hasegawa fed Maika Hamano on the edge of the Australia area.

The Tottenham loanee tried her luck from distance on the turn, sending a vicious drive into the bottom corner past Mackenzie Arnold.

Australia pressed for a route back into the game leading up to half-time with Caitlin Foord twice firing wide from a promising position, while Yamashita tipped a Sam Kerr effort past the post after some neat play around the Japan area.

It was a similar story in the second half, though Arnold made a fine save from Riko Ueki before the hour mark to prevent the Japanese from doubling their advantage.

At the other end, Kaitlyn Torpey fluffed her lines from a promising position just after the hour mark, but it was a rare foray forward as Japan continued to turn the screw.

Hasegawa and Mary Fowler were both replaced with around ten to play, but there was still time for one more big Australia chance.

Former City defender Alanna Kennedy was pushed forward in search of an elusive equaliser and met Ellie Carpenter’s cross with a powerful header towards goal, which was well saved by Yamashita.

That was the final major chance of the game, with Japan reclaiming their title from 2018.

Everyone at City would like to congratulate Ayaka, Yui, Aoba and Risa on being crowned Asian Cup champions, and offer our commiserations to Mary.