wf075: AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026 Semifinals Results

China PR 1-2 Australia. C. Foord and E. Carpenter. Courtesy from this site.

Korea Rep. 1-4 Japan. M. Hamano and F. Nagano. Courtesy from this site.

[The tournament and present situation]
AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026 is being held. The final will be held on March 21st. This tournament will determine the Asian Champion as named but also the six Asian spots for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027: four semifinalist countries and two winners of play-offs.
Presently, the semifinals ended as follows.

[Semifinals Review and Results]
Blogger’s Review and Prediction of the Final: The two teams that have sent many players to the English WSL (Women’s Super League), the world’s top professional league, have advanced to the final. It seems that the skills, tactics, and mentality honed through fierce competition in such a demanding league have paid off.
The final will be a tough match for both teams. Australia will have the advantage of playing at home and having more time since the previous match, but the Nadeshiko has a deep roster for this tournament.

SF1(3/17): China PR 1-2 Australia at Perth Rectangular Stadium (Perth / Boorloo)
China PR’s goal: L. Zhang (26′)
Australia’s goals: C. Foord (17’), S. Kerr (58’)
Australia had 56% ball possession. China may have been affected by the suspension of a key player and the difference in the time between matches (and their previous match had 120 minutes including the extra time). Australia’s WSL players in the forward line showed their strength. All of Australia’s starting players are based overseas.

SF2(3/18): Korea Rep. vs Japan at Stadium Australia (Sydney / Gadigal)
Korea Rep.’s goal: C.-R. Kang (78’)
Japan’s goals: R. Ueki (15’), M. Hamano (25’), S. Kumagai (75’), R. Chiba (81’)
The Nadeshiko had 64% ball possession. Despite their conceded goal, which is the first in the tournament, the Nadeshiko secured a solid victory. The handicap of having a day less between matches was not apparent. Korea Rep.’s unusual (defensive-focused) tactic of leaving Ji So-Yun out of the starting lineup backfired.

[The final]
Japan vs Australia at Stadium Australia (Sydney / Gadigal) on Saturday, 21 March 2026.