Women’s Asian Cup Final Recap: Australia face Japan for chance to lift major trophy
Soccer: A red-hot Japan sunk the Matildas Asian Cup dreams with a strike to behold.
Recap the heartbreaking final as it happened in our blog.
That’s a wrap
The Matildas were lionhearted but it was one moment of pure class that sunk their Asian Cup title dreams.
But they must be proud of their efforts having taken down one of the world’s top 10 teams, in North Korea, just to get there.
They should enter next year’s World Cup in Brazil with confidence they can make a big dent in the competition.
But until next time, farewell.
ANALYSIS
Kerr shattered
Kerr is feeling the hurt and clearly felt the Matildas played better on the night but was fully aware it meant little with a loss.
“Just disappointing to lose,” she said.
“I think they just beat us off one moment. For most of the game we had the best chances and definitly in the second half most of the possession.
“It was just one moment and unfortunatly that’s what football’s decided on.
“I don’t think there’s a missing part (from the team), I just think this is a part of Football.”
Joe speaks
Joe Montemurro was disappointed but he beleives his team could have won tonight if things had fallen their way in the box.
“They scored a wonderful goal in the first half and we didn’t,” he said.
“We had opportunities and they had a couple of opportunities to. Apprently Japan are an amazing team, and I don’t know what I saw, but I saw something different in the second half.
“We probably played better football in the second half but we’re competing with the No.6 team in the world and they’re one of the best in the world so credit to the girls and their performance.
“It just wasn’t our night.”
Sweep
Japan go unbeaten through the tournament, win the fair play, goalkeeping and top goal scorer awards in a domination.
But Alana Kennedy is named player of the tournamnet!
Dual emotion
Sam Kerr was left on her haunches as Japan celebrated a hard-fought victory.
MATCH REPORT
If you need a breath I don’t blame you!
The Matildas were huge in that final 15 minutes but quality over quantity came out on top again.
Read our official match report below.
FT: Japan 1 - Australia 0
Heartbreak!
The Matildas tried everything but Japan refused to break in a sensational final 10 minutes.
Australia pushed to the very last but Japan had the one finish that seperated the two teams.
Last chance
The Tillies have a corner!
Added time
The Matildas have four minutes to produce a miracle here.
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