South Korea 1-4 Japan, AFC Women’s Asian Cup: Imperious Nadeshiko Set Final Date With Australia

A world-class performance from Japan propelled them to a breezy 4-1 victory over South Korea in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 semi-final at Stadium Australia, Sydney on Wednesday (March 18, 2026). The Nadeshiko, who had won back-to-back Women’s Asian Cup titles in 2014 and 2018, thus sealed yet another final appearance, and will vie with hosts Australia for the title on March 21. Riko Ueki and Maika Hamano scored first-half goals and Saki Kumagai, Remina Chiba netted in the second for the victors. Kang Chae-rim found the consolation goal for the Taeguk Ladies, who were outplayed all through the contest.

Updated on: 18 March 2026 4:51 pm

Published at: 18 March 2026 2:16 pm

South Korea Vs Japan AFC Women's Asian Cup Semi-Final match-

Japan players celebrate following the Women's Asian Cup semifinal soccer match between Japan and South Korea in Sydney. | Photo: AP/Rick Rycroft

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Japan pose for a team photo ahead of the Women's Asian Cup semifinal soccer match between Japan and South Korea in Sydney. | Photo: AP/Rick Rycroft

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South Korea pose for a team photo ahead of the Women's Asian Cup semifinal soccer match between Japan and South Korea in Sydney. | Photo: AP/Rick Rycroft

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South Korea Vs Japan AFC Womens Asian Cup Semi-Final match-Riko Ueki

Japan's Riko Ueki, right, and South Korea's Ko Yoo-jin battle for the ball during the Women's Asian Cup semifinal soccer match between Japan and South Korea in Sydney. | Photo: AP/Rick Rycroft

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Japan's Riko Ueki, right, heads the ball during the Women's Asian Cup semifinal soccer match between Japan and South Korea in Sydney. | Photo: AP/Rick Rycroft

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South Korea Vs Japan AFC Womens Asian Cup Semi-Final match-Noh Jin-young

Japan's Riko Ueki, left, takes a shot at goal as South Korea's Noh Jin-young during the Women's Asian Cup semifinal soccer match between Japan and South Korea in Sydney. | Photo: AP/Rick Rycroft

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Japan's Riko Ueki, right, is congratulated by teammates after scoring her team's first goal during the Women's Asian Cup semifinal soccer match between Japan and South Korea in Sydney. | Photo: AP/Rick Rycroft

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South Korea Vs Japan AFC Womens Asian Cup Semi-Final match-Kim Min-jung

South Korea's goalkeeper Kim Min-jung punches the ball during the Women's Asian Cup semifinal soccer match between Japan and South Korea in Sydney. | Photo: AP/Rick Rycroft

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South Korea Vs Japan AFC Womens Asian Cup Semi-Final match-Saki Kumagai

Japan's Saki Kumagai, right, and South Korea's Jeon Yu-gyeong battle for the ballduring the Women's Asian Cup semifinal soccer match between Japan and South Korea in Sydney. | Photo: AP/Rick Rycroft

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South Korea Vs Japan AFC Womens Asian Cup Semi-Final match-Maika Hamano

Japan's Maika Hamano reacts, centre, after scoring her team's second goal during the Women's Asian Cup semifinal soccer match between Japan and South Korea in Sydney. | Photo: AP/Rick Rycroft.

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Japan's Maika Hamano, centre, is congratulated by teammates after scoring her team's second goal during the Women's Asian Cup semifinal soccer match between Japan and South Korea in Sydney. | Photo: AP/Rick Rycroft.

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South Korea Vs Japan AFC Womens Asian Cup Semi-Final match-Yui Hasegawa

Japan's Yui Hasegawa, right, has her shot at goal saved by South Korea's goalkeeper Kim Min-jung, left, during the Women's Asian Cup semifinal soccer match between Japan and South Korea in Sydney. | Photo: AP/Rick Rycroft.

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A South Korean fan waves a flag during the Women's Asian Cup semifinal soccer match between Japan and South Korea in Sydney. | Photo: AP/Rick Rycroft.

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South Korea Vs Japan AFC Womens Asian Cup Semi-Final match-Choo Hyo-joo

South Korea's Choo Hyo-joo, right, and Japan's Riko Ueki battle for the ball during the Women's Asian Cup semifinal soccer match between Japan and South Korea in Sydney. | Photo: AP/Rick Rycroft.

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South Korea's goalkeeper Kim Min-jung, right, watches as a shot from Japan's Hinata Miyazawa comes towards her during the Women's Asian Cup semifinal soccer match between Japan and South Korea in Sydney. | Photo: AP/Rick Rycroft.

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South Korea Vs Japan AFC Womens Asian Cup Semi-Final match-Ayaka Yamashita

Japan's goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita punches the ball clear of the goal during the Women's Asian Cup semifinal soccer match between Japan and South Korea in Sydney. | Photo: AP/Rick Rycroft.

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Japan's Saki Kumagai, left, heads the ball to score her team's third goal during the Women's Asian Cup semifinal soccer match between Japan and South Korea in Sydney. | Photo: AP/Rick Rycroft.

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Japan's Saki Kumagai, on ground, celebrates after scoring her team's third goal during the Women's Asian Cup semifinal soccer match between Japan and South Korea in Sydney. | Photo: AP/Rick Rycroft.

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South Korea Vs Japan AFC Womens Asian Cup Semi-Final match-Kang Chae-rim

South Korea's Kang Chae-rim, on ground, reacts after scoring her team's first goal during the Women's Asian Cup semifinal soccer match between Japan and South Korea in Sydney. | Photo: AP/Rick Rycroft.

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South Korea Vs Japan AFC Womens Asian Cup Semi-Final match- Jang See-gi

South Korea's Jang See-gi looks to get the ball past Japan's Momoko Tanikawa, left, during the Women's Asian Cup semifinal soccer match between Japan and South Korea in Sydney. | Photo: AP/Rick Rycroft.

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South Korea Vs Japan AFC Womens Asian Cup Semi-Final match-Japans Remina Chiba

Japan's Remina Chiba, right, celebrates after scoring her team's fourth goal during the Women's Asian Cup semifinal soccer match between Japan and South Korea in Sydney. | Photo: AP/Rick Rycroft

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South Korea Vs Japan AFC Womens Asian Cup Semi-Final match-Fuka Nagano

Japan's Fuka Nagano falls over and South Korea's Ji So-yun during the Women's Asian Cup semifinal soccer match between Japan and South Korea in Sydney. | Photo: AP/Rick Rycroft.

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South Korea Vs Japan AFC Womens Asian Cup Semi-Final match-Toko Koga

Japan's Toko Koga, left, and South Korea's Kang Chae-rim during the Women's Asian Cup semifinal soccer match between Japan and South Korea in Sydney. | Photo: AP/Rick Rycroft

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Japan players celebrate following the Women's Asian Cup semifinal soccer match between Japan and South Korea in Sydney. | Photo: AP/Rick Rycroft.

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South Korean players react to their supporters following the Women's Asian Cup semifinal soccer match between Japan and South Korea in Sydney. | Photo: AP/Rick Rycroft.