SYDNEY: Japan edged tournament hosts Australia 1-0 in the Women’s Asian Cup final on Saturday to win the continental title for the third time in the last four editions and disappoint a record crowd of 74,357 at Stadium Australia.
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Maika Hamano scored the decisive goal in the 17th minute, turning five meters outside the box and firing the ball past diving Australia goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold and into the corner of the net.
Australia’s Matildas, Asian champions in 2010, gave as good as they got in a high-quality final and ultimately paid the price for their inability to convert the chances they created.
Record goalscorer Sam Kerr was well shackled inside the penalty box and her fellow striker Caitlin Foord failed to make the most of a string of chances.
