Women’s Asian Cup Final Recap: Australia face Japan for chance to lift major trophy

There is three minutes added to the end of the first half and Foord misses another chance.

Kerr feeds her the ball in the middle of the box and she gets a good touch but sprays the shot miles wide.

JPN 1 - AUS 0 47’

The Japanese keeper nearly gave Foord a gift!

The ball came back to her as Foord chased it down but she passed it straight to the Australian.

It was a difficult angle but the shot from Foord had no angle and Yamashita defleted it away with ease.

A third chance goes begging and it comes as Japan are asserting control on the game.

JPN 1 - AUS 0 36’

The Matildas are not going back into their shells after Japan hurt them with that goal.

Foord and Kerr continue to present a dangerous option in the final third while Gorry and Carpenter are busy.

Japan are just smothering them as much as possible.

JPN 1 - AUS 0 28’

From almost nothing the Japanese have created a goal!

It was a brilliant shot from Hamano at the edge of the box after a few crisp passes.

The shot swerves away from Arnold and into the bottom left corner.

JPN 1 - AUS 0 16’

Australia break forward and have the outnumber heading into the box but Foord blows her chance.

She was one-on-one with the keeper but the ball fell to her wrong foot and the shot chips straight into the keeper’s waiting arms.

Scores remain locked with the Matildas having had the best chances so far.

JPN 0 - AUS 0 11’

Even if the Matildas don’t win this game, qualifying for the final gives them automatic entry to the Women’s World Cup next year.

Would be pretty nice to head there as the champions of Asia as well!

Heatley sends a long ball forward and Fowler cuts back towards the middle before threading the ball to Foord in the box.

She knocks it back to Kerr who gets nothing of it but it forces the keeper to push the ball out of play.

Australia get nothing from the set peice though.

JPN 0 - AUS 0 2’

We are underway in Sydney with Australia getting first use of the ball.

21 days after starting their quest for glory, only 90 minutes and Japan stand in the Matildas way.

The Japanese are ranked inside the top 10 and have a very good record over Australia.

However, a final is a clean slate and don’t count out having the home crowd on their side.

Plus, many of the Matildas have the experince of playing that World Cup knockout game against England and know how disappointment feels.

It will fuel their desire to win as they sing the anthems.

G-Flip has the crowd up and about, belting out “Disco Cowgirl” in a celebration of women’s sport.

The crowd lend their voices to the performance as she takes over the drums and hits “All Fired Up”.

Scenes from the tournament play in the background and the Matildas feature a fair bit.