A moment of brilliance from Japanese winger Maika Hamano has seen the Matildas denied a fairy tale ending on home soil, with the Japanese team claiming a 1-0 win in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Final on Saturday night.
Hamano collected the ball on the edge of the penalty area in the 17th minute of the game, before turning quickly and unleashing a fierce shot that curled into the far corner of the net beyond Australian goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold.
It was a goal worthy of winning a championship game and it was enough to win this one.
For the Matildas the result was a familiar one, the third time in as many games that the Japanese team has beaten them 1-0 in the Asian Cup Final.
It was the third time in a row that the Matildas have been unable to win the championship, the drought stretching to 16 years since the Matildas won their only championship in 2010.
However, Australia were by no means out of their depth. They had created several chances throughout the game, but their finishing was a problem, especially when they needed to.
The second half was a barrage of Australian pressure. Emily van Egmond sent a fierce shot on target, but the Japanese defenders bravely blocked the ball.
Then, in stoppage time, Ellie Carpenter sent a cross into the six yard box, where Alanna Kennedy rose to meet the ball with a header.
Ayaka Yamashita somehow got across to make a wonderful save. Even Arnold came forward for a final corner, but no equalizer was to come.
The loss is all the more bitter for an experienced Matildas outfit who may never again have the chance to play together.
Kennedy, who had been a rock at the back for Australia throughout the tournament, won player of the tournament, to warm applause from a crowd who stayed to congratulate both teams at full time.
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Japan, under Nils Nielsen, came to Sydney having found the back of the net 28 times and conceded only once in their five games leading into the final.
The tournament has been a huge success for the organizers, breaking all previous Women’s Asian Cup crowd records with over 200,000 fans in attendance for games played in Perth, the Gold Coast and Sydney.
The Matildas will hold a function at Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour, on Sunday afternoon to thank their fans for their support.
For Australian football, the big question is now will this golden era of women’s football get a final opportunity to claim a major honour or was Saturday night’s performance the final hurrah?
