TOO STRONG JAPAN POWER INTO THE FINAL Korea Republic Japan Highlights AFC Women s Asian Cup

For the second time in the tournament's history, football powerhouses, Japan and Korea Republic, go head to head in the semifinals of the AFC Women's Asian Cup. Fans expecting fireworks from start to finish from two of the standout teams in this year's competition. And as expected, plenty of action right from kickoff. First chance of the game and very nearly goal as well. Yui Hasegawa putting it wide into some fantastic build up play. From Japan now. More than happy to keep the pressure on. High press throughout. And that high press paying off in the 15th minute for one back. To the net by Riko Ueki. Japanese number nine. With both sides 25th goal of the competition. Sixth for Riko Ueki. He's now the tournament leader. And en route for that golden boot. Japan not finished there though. 25th minute and the goals just get better and better. How about that for a finish from Maika Hamonimont? Japan's 13th different goal scorer. What a strike as well from an acute angle into the roof of the net. Kim Min-jung in goal. Not expecting that one. Can do nothing to keep it out despite getting a touch on the ball. So Japan with a two goal cushion at the break into the second half. Fast forward to the 63rd minute. Corner for the team in blue. Whipped in and then off the crossbar by Ueki. Nearly her second of the game. Would have been her seventh of the tournament. Denied by the top of the woodwork though. 74th minute, another corner for Japan. And this time they do find the back of the net from the dead ball situation. Saki Kumagai, the most senior player in the Japan squad. Her fourth international goal, putting Japan in a very, very strong position. Just under a quarter of an hour still to go. Is there a way back into this for Korea Republic? That will certainly help. Kang Chae-rim, the half-time substitute for the Republic. And life is in too little too late. What does Japan have to say about it? Just minutes later, powering forward again. This time down the left and there is your answer. Ramin Aciba, the superstar on the score sheet again, makes it 4-1. And in the end, Japan simply proved too strong for Korea Republic. And will now play tournament host Australia for the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup title on Saturday. Final score in Sydney, Japan 4, Korea Republic 1.