Japan and Australia prepare to reignite titanic rivalry as Nadeshiko have talent to match Matildas star power

Australia will once again face off against Japan for Women’s Asian Cup Glory, and the Nadeshiko are not short of star talent as we look at who poses the biggest threat in Saturday’s final. Saki Kumagai The most experienced member of the Japanese squad, Kumagai, has more than 160 caps after making her debut in 2008. She was part of their 2011 World Cup-winning squad and captain during their 2018 triumph, where she gave away a penalty in the 14th minute, only for the Matilda Elise Kellond-Knight’s shot to be saved, which proved decisive in the 1-0 victory. Traditionally, at centre back, she will likely be tasked with the job of shutting down Sam Kerr, against whom she has enjoyed mixed success. She was instrumental in helping shut down Kerr in the 2018 final, but was powerless to stop her first-half hat-trick in the 2017 Tournament of Nations. The 35-year-old has led from the front once again this tournament with Japan conceding just one goal and only eight shots on goal from five games. She also scored just the fourth goal of her international career in the semifinal win over South Korea. Yui Hasegawa Japan’s most popular and arguably best footballer, with more than 200,000 Instagram followers, Hasegawa is an attacking midfielder known for her elite passing and technical ability. A teammate of Matildas’ star Mary Fowler at Manchester City, Fowler has been on the receiving end of many Hasegawa passes, and both made the WSL Team of the Year last season. Hasegawa pipped Fowler for the Club’s Player of the Season award and has two assists and a goal from her five games this tournament. She earned her 100th cap at 29-years-old in their quarterfinal win over the Philippines. Beyond her connection with Fowler, Matildas fans will remember Hasegawa for setting up their only goal, providing the assist to Kumi Yokoyama in their 2018 triumph. She has a pass efficiency rating of 87 per cent. Given the talent in Japan’s squad, Hasegawa is free to attack more when on international duties and has scored 20 goals. She can also be a menace defensively as one of the best tacklers in the side. Japan are yet to receive a yellow card this tournament. Maika Hamano Japan’s Rising Star at just 21 will enter her first major international tournament final after netting a stunner against South Korea. Taking possession from a deep cross, she worked her way past two defenders but looked to have run out of space, only to seemingly bend physics and bury a powerful finish into the top of the net from a tight angle. It was a second goal of the tournament from three starts to make it eight from just 30 caps and was a finish so good it brought tears to her eyes. In her one previous meeting with Australia, she put Japan 3-0 up in their 4-0 drubbing at the 2025 SheBelieves Cup. Possessing elite agility, she is the X-factor in a Japanese attack that otherwise prides itself on technical team brilliance. Riko Ueki The Japanese striker and West Ham teammate of Matilda Kartina Gorry is leading the race for the Golden Boot with six goals from four matches, having found the back of the net in every game she has played this tournament. She needs just one more to tie with Kerr’s record haul of seven in 2022 and, incredibly, has been averaging a goal every 29 minutes this Asian Cup campaign, despite only starting in one match. Her efficiency in front of goal was on display against the Philippines where she was introduced in the 89th minute and scored just 60 seconds later to round off their 7-0 victory. Ueki has never faced Australia before and though she may not start, she will likely be the Matildas’ biggest threat even if they manage to stave off Japan’s starting attack.