The 2026 tournament was the most attended Women's Asian Cup in history and a landmark moment for women's football across Asia.
Japan won the 2026 AFC Women's Cup against Australia with the only score in the game being made by Maika Hamano (Player #17, Forward). A brilliant strike by Hamano from a pass from the left side at 17' game time gave Japan the lead 1–0. To Australia's credit, it kept that score to the end of the game. This was the third time that Japan has won 1-0 against Australia in the AFC Asian Cup, with previous encounters in 2014 and 2018.
The atmosphere at Stadium Australia was electric from start to finish as the 74,397 football fans — dominated by Aussie supporters — cheered every advance the Matildas made on the field. There were a number of heart-stopping corners awarded to the Australians but these were not converted into goals. Japan's Goalkeeper, Ayaka Yamashita (Player #1) successfully thwarted Australia's attempts at goal.

Head Coach Joe Montemurro commented after the match: "We probably played better football in the second-half. They're one of the best (teams) in the world, so credit to the girls, credit to the performance but it just wasn't our night."

A review of the match statistics showed: Possession: Approximately 50%-50% (Australia slightly higher or equal); Shots: Australia 14–9 Japan; Shots on Target: Australia 5–3 Japan. These backed Team Captain Sam Kerr's post-match comment: "I think they just beat us off one moment... in the last few games we've had the moments and we've taken them, and tonight they had an amazing goal."

The result was not what the Aussies were praying for. However, Australia can be proud of its success as the host nation. In a media statement, the AFC organisers stated: "The Final brought the curtain down on a historic and record-breaking edition of the AFC Women's Asian Cup™, with 355,528 fans attending matches across Perth, the Gold Coast and Sydney - making the 2026 tournament the most attended Women's Asian Cup in history and a landmark moment for women's football across Asia."

"This edition also marked a series of historic firsts that elevated the tournament to new heights. The AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026™ introduced WAVEMAKER, the first bespoke Official Match Ball in the tournament's history, unveiled Naara as the competition's first-ever official mascot, debuted That's How We Win as its first Official Tournament Anthem, and saw Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology implemented from the Group Stage for the first time. The largest-ever panel of match officials in Women's Asian Cup history was also appointed, with 45 referees and officials from 20 Member Associations overseeing matches throughout the tournament."

At the presentation after the final match, the special recognition awards were:

  • Most Valuable Player (MVP): Alanna Kennedy (Australia)
  • Golden Boot (Top Scorer): Riko Ueko (Japan) - 6 goals
  • Best Goalkeeper: Ayaka Yamashita (Japan) - conceded only one goal in six games
  • Fair Play: Japan

The tournament also bonded Fil-Aus communities as they devotedly turned up and supported the Filipinas team in the opening game of the tournament playing against the host nation; two group games on the Gold Coast; a quarter-finals game in Sydney; and the playoff game for a spot in the 2027 FIFA World Cup, held back on the Gold Coast. The Filipinas also enjoyed strong support from Philippine government representatives who attended games, led by Philippine Ambassador to Australia, HE Antonio Morales. The officials were Honorary Consul Melissa Dalisay Aguasa and Consul Rainier Casis in Perth; Honorary Consul Sheryll L. Gabutero in Queensland; and in Sydney, Consul General Charmaine Aviquivil and Vice Consul Diana Jimenez-Leomo of PCG Sydney, along with Consul General Sheila Tario of the Embassy in Canberra and their respective consular officials.

Now we look forward to the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil, where 32 nations will be competing. As of March 2026, the first teams to have qualified were Australia, Japan, China PR, Korea DPR, Korea Republic, and the Philippines - all securing spots via the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup. As host nation, Brazil qualifies automatically. Other continental qualifiers are ongoing, with the final spots to be filled during 2026. All the best Filipinas and Matildas!

Writer's note: At a personal level, I would cherish my attendance at the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 games. I wish to thank Michelle Baltazar, editor-in-chief of The Australian Filipina, and Charles Chan, head broadcaster of Radyo Bayanihan, for supporting my media accreditation. Sincere thanks also to their readers and listeners respectively for their support; to Dee Raghavan, Senior Manager — Engagement Marketing, Cultural Pulse; and to my husband John (Pictured with the writer and SBS' Annalyn Violata) for all the support before and throughout the tournament.
Photos requested from: Office of the Philippine Ambassador to Australia  and the Philippine Consulate General Sydney; Annalyn Violata of SBS Filipino; Dee Raghavan; Shirley Neld of Gold Coast Filipino Australian Cultural Ensemble ad John Calvert.
Gallery compilation and upload - Michelle Baltazar.