Japan's Women's Asian Cup semifinal victory over South Korea and its implications for the upcoming final against Australia's Matildas
Consensus Summary
Japan’s 4-1 victory over South Korea in the Women’s Asian Cup semifinal showcased their dominance as the tournament’s top team, with possession, pressing, and ruthless finishing. The match featured Japan’s signature possession-heavy play, with stats ranging from 64-74% ball control and 88% pass accuracy, while South Korea struggled to break down their high-intensity press. Japan’s goals came from Riko Ueki, Maika Hamano, Saki Kumagai, and Remina Chiba, with South Korea’s lone goal by Kang Chae-rim falling short of a comeback. The win sets up a final against Australia’s Matildas, who face a formidable opponent after Japan’s near-flawless campaign. Both ABC and The Guardian agree on Japan’s dominance but differ slightly on possession stats and tactical details. The Matildas, led by Sam Kerr and Mackenzie Arnold, will aim to avoid repeating past Asian Cup final losses to Japan, which have historically been decided by narrow margins.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Japan defeated South Korea 4-1 in the Women's Asian Cup semifinal at Stadium Australia on Wednesday, 23 May 2024.
- Japan scored goals via Riko Ueki (5th goal of tournament), Maika Hamano, Saki Kumagai (corner), and Remina Chiba (counterattack).
- South Korea scored a consolation goal via Kang Chae-rim in the 78th minute.
- Japan dominated possession with 64-74% of the ball, completing 403-590 passes (88% accuracy) against South Korea.
- Japan had 12-14 shots on goal compared to South Korea’s 3-4 shots in the match.
- The match took place at Stadium Australia in Sydney, Australia, with the final scheduled for Saturday, 26 May 2024.
- Japan’s Nils Nielsen is the head coach, and the team is nicknamed the 'Nadeshiko Japan'.
- South Korea’s formation was changed from 3-5-2 to 4-4-2 after halftime.
- Japan’s VAR decision denied Aoba Fujino a goal for arm contact with Hikaru Kitagawa in the first half.
- Japan has not conceded a goal in their first four games of the tournament (24 goals scored, 0 conceded).
- The Matildas will face Japan in the final, with Japan described as the tournament’s dominant team.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Japan had 74% possession, 14 shots, and 403 completed passes in the first article’s coverage.
- ABC commentator Amy Harrison noted Ji So-yun’s leadership and experience as critical for South Korea’s second-half performance.
- ABC commentator Alicia Ferguson suggested South Korea’s 4-4-2 formation would help contain Japan better than their 3-5-2.
- ABC mentioned Japan’s VAR decision denying Aoba Fujino’s goal due to arm contact with Hikaru Kitagawa.
- ABC highlighted Japan’s dominance in possession (74%) and shots (14 to 3) as early as the first half.
- ABC included a live blog update with expert commentary and live radio call details.
- ABC noted Japan’s VAR decision on China’s penalty was upheld due to contact by Mackenzie Arnold.
- ABC described Japan’s build-up play as 'patient' and 'magical,' with Riko Ueki’s backheel pass leading to a missed chance.
- ABC mentioned Japan’s 'relentless' and 'confident' play, with South Korea appearing 'overawed.'
- ABC included a detailed breakdown of Japan’s attacking structure, including fullbacks pushing high and wingers pulling wide.
- Japan’s possession was 64% with 88% pass completion (590 passes attempted) against South Korea.
- Japan scored 28 goals on their march to the final, with a ruthless streak noted beyond possession play.
- Japan conceded only one goal in the tournament (to South Korea) while leading 3-0, then restored the margin to 4-1 with a counterattack.
- Japan’s pressing and transition play were highlighted as key factors in their dominance.
- The Guardian mentioned Japan’s corner kick by Saki Kumagai as a 'veteran moment' striking fear into the Matildas.
- Japan’s emphasis on possession-heavy, well-oiled machine play was described as a 'fever dream' for Joe Montemurro’s Matildas.
- The Guardian noted Japan’s ability to score from multiple ways, including set pieces and counterattacks.
- Japan’s head coach Nils Nielsen was described as eccentric, with a background in coaching Denmark and Switzerland.
- The Guardian referenced Japan’s 4-0 defeat of the Matildas in the SheBelieves Cup (2023) as an early warning of their strength.
- The Guardian mentioned Japan’s two previous Asian Cup final wins over Australia (2014 and 2018) with narrow margins.
Where the reporting differs
Details that conflict, or appear in only some outlets:
- ABC reports Japan had 74% possession while The Guardian states Japan had 64% possession.
- ABC mentions Japan had 14 shots on goal while The Guardian does not specify the exact number of shots but implies a similar dominance.
- ABC states Japan completed 403 passes while The Guardian states Japan completed 590 passes (88% accuracy).
- ABC describes Japan’s VAR decision on Aoba Fujino’s goal as denying it due to arm contact, but The Guardian does not mention this specific VAR call.
- ABC highlights South Korea’s formation change from 3-5-2 to 4-4-2 as a tactical adjustment, while The Guardian does not detail this change.
Source Articles
Quick hits: Sam Kerr provides geometric genius as Katrina Gorry takes a battering
Sam Kerr gets her angles right, Katrina Gorry stands tall despite a battering and Kaitlyn Torpey has a birthday to remember. Here are the quick hits from the Matildas' exhilirating 2-1 semifinal triumph over China.
Kerr and Foord propel improved Matildas past China to Women’s Asian Cup final
Plucky Australia beat defending champions 2-1 Hosts will face Japan or South Korea in Saturday decider The Matildas are through to their first Women’s Asian Cup final since 2018 after a gutsy 2-1 defeat over reigning champions China in Perth on Tuesday night. An early goal to Caitlin Foord was cancelled out by a China penalty midway through the first half after Zhang Linyan was tripped in the box by Mackenzie Arnold, but a solo effort from Sam Kerr in the second lifted Australia into their fourt
How to watch the Matildas vs Japan in the Women's Asian Cup final
The Matildas' quest for the Women's Asian Cup trophy reaches its climax tonight, when they face Japan at Sydney's Stadium Australia. Here's how to watch and follow the game.
Japan’s ruthless streak poses fresh challenge for rising Matildas in Women’s Asian Cup final | Martin Pegan
The world No 6 team have scored 28 goals and conceded just one, starting Saturday’s final against hosts Australia as clear favourites If the Matildas needed any warning of the huge challenge they will face in the Women’s Asian Cup final on Saturday, Japan fired a shot across their bow in a commanding semi-final victory over South Korea. The world No 6 arrived at the tournament as the team to beat and have since cemented their place as the favourites across a near-flawless campaign. Japan’s empha
Kerr single-handedly alters the Matildas' destiny, now others must come along for the ride
Sam Kerr has once again shown that she can single-handedly alter the course of Australian football history, but the rest of the team must follow after winning through to the Asian Cup final.
Golden generation still glitters as veterans kickstart misfiring Matildas
Goals from Caitlin Foord and Sam Kerr help see off China and show that they can take Australia to Asian Cup glory Suddenly, somehow, Caitlin Foord had the ball at her feet at the halfway line, in a moment of relief from the suffocating Chinese midfield. The match was in the balance at 1-1, and this fine generation of Matildas was as close to glory as they were to embarrassment in the feverish pressure of another home tournament. The pitch of the crowd’s cheers climbed, as their eyes descended on
Quick hits: Matildas put on notice as Japan soar into Asian Cup final
Ultimate control, goals from everywhere and an eccentric coach from Greenland. This is what we learned from Japan's supremely impressive semifinal victory over South Korea.
China v Australia: Women’s Asian Cup 2026 semi-final – live
Updates from the last-four clash at Perth Stadium Any thoughts? Email Joey China has won the Women’s Asian Cup more than any other nation, including an incredible run of seven straight as they became one of the first true global powers in women’s football. That status has fallen away somewhat in recent times but they did notch their ninth continental crown back in 2022, producing an incredible comeback to drag themselves off the canvas at 2-0 down on the hour mark to claim a 3-2 win – Xiao Yuyi
Live: South Korea searching for a miracle, as Japan appears headed towards Matildas clash
Japan is in ominous form against South Korea in their Women's Asian Cup semi-final, leading 2-0 in the second half in Sydney. Follow live.
‘We need to believe’: Matildas embrace underdogs tag for last shot at home glory in Women’s Asian Cup
Time is running out for the Australia team led by captain Sam Kerr to win a major trophy as they prepare to meet a red-hot Japan in the final on Saturday The end is nigh, and Ellie Carpenter – even though she is not 26 for another month – knows it. The Matildas fullback revealed the significance of the Women’s Asian Cup final in a brutally frank pre-match press conference that underscored time is running out for most of the team led by captain Sam Kerr. Continue reading...
Japan v Australia: Women’s Asian Cup 2026 final - live
Updates from the Matildas’ clash at Stadium Australia Kick-off time in Sydney is 8pm AEDT Any thoughts? Get in touch with an email But as Martin Pegan writes, despite Australia’s home advantage Japan deserve to start as clear favourites. The world No 6 arrived at the tournament as the team to beat and have since cemented their place as the favourites across a near-flawless campaign. Continue reading...
Live: Fowler goes close as Matildas make lively start to blockbuster semifinal
A spot in the Women's Asian Cup final is on the line as the Matildas take on defending champion China, with Kyra Cooney-Cross starting her first match of the tournament. Follow live.
Live: Matildas make key change ahead of blockbuster Asian Cup final against Japan
A red-hot Japan stands in the way of the Matildas and their first piece of silverware since 2010. Follow live.
Australian insiders in China’s ranks threaten Matildas’ Women’s Asian Cup dream | Jack Snape
The hosts face their toughest opponent in the defending champions, whose coach Ante Milicic knows the Australian team better than most Facing a formidable opponent supercharged by Australian insiders, the Matildas’ Women’s Asian Cup ambitions meet their toughest test so far as they prepare for Tuesday night’s semi-final against China at Perth Stadium. The Chinese are defending champions, and have won the trophy nine times. On their bench is former Matildas’ head coach Ante Milicic, who has promi
Sam Kerr’s moment of magic sends Matildas into Women’s Asian Cup final with 2-1 win over China
The Matildas will now face Japan or South Korea in Saturday’s decider in Sydney as they chase their first Asian Cup title since 2010.
How to watch Matildas vs China in Women's Asian Cup semifinal
The Matildas are in the final four at the Women's Asian Cup, and take on the defending champion China in the first semifinal tonight. Here's how to follow the game at Perth Stadium.
More World stories
Ukraine targets Wildberries warehouses and Russian infrastructure with drone strikes amid escalating war
Ebola outbreak in DRC surpasses historical deadliness with rapid spread and containment challenges
Trump scales back US-South Korea military drills amid North Korea tensions
Magnitude 7.7-7.8 earthquake and tsunami warning in Indonesia’s Flores region
Netflix's 2026 adaptation of *My Brilliant Career* by Miles Franklin
Colombia earthquake disaster: deaths, damage, and response efforts
Latest cross-verified stories
Sydney Swans players linked to sexual assault allegations and club sanctions
Australia vs Bangladesh Test series in 2026, featuring historic upsets and batting struggles
Meta trial over social media addiction in children begins in California
Prince Harry and others ordered to pay legal costs to Daily Mail publisher after losing privacy lawsuit
Mass bird deaths linked to H5 bird flu in Australia’s southern states
Australia’s largest gun buyback scheme after Bondi terror attack
Browse all stories from March 2026 in the archive.