AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 Final: Australia vs Japan Head-to-Head record

Japan holds the bragging rights over Australia in the Head-to-Head stats

The AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 final sees former Asian champions Japan and Australia go head-to-head for the title. Both sides have stayed unbeaten in the tournament so far and will hold their respective advantages going into the game.

Hosts Australia have made the most of their home advantage, having beaten the likes of North Korea and China in the knockout rounds. The Matildas are looking good, led by their captain Samantha Kerr, who has been in top form in the Women’s Asian Cup.

The Japanese Women on the other hand have been the best team in this tournament. They have not just beaten their opponents but embarrassed them.

The 11-0 win against India in the group stage, 7-0 and 4-1 wins against the Philippines and South Korea in the knockout rounds has proven that they mean business and are gunning for their third Asian crown.

Who has the advantage in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup final?

Japan are currently ranked 8th in the FIFA Women’s rankings while Australia are ranked 15th. Aside from their Asian Cups, Japan has also won the FIFA Women’s World Cup title once while Australia’s best finish was a semifinal in 2023.

The first ever meeting between Australia and Japan’s women football teams came in 2006 at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup where the Aussies won 2-0. Japan returned the favour in 2008, beating the Matildas twice in the 2008 AFC Women’s Asian Cup and also knocking them out in the process.

In terms of the latest fixtures, the two nations faced each other in a friendly game last year where Japan came out as 4-0 winners. The East Asian side also won 1-0 against the Matildas in another friendly match that was played in 2021.

Australia’s last win against the Japanese Women came in the Women’s Four Nations Tournament in 2018. The Matildas pulled off a 2-0 win with two second half goals after dominating the game in an attacking aspect.

Japan currently dominates the Head-to-Head stats and also are playing free flowing football. They will head into the final as favourites but Australia with home support would certainly be looking to take their game up a notch.

Head-to-head in AFC Women’s Asian Cup

Games played: 8

Won by Japan: 4

Won by Australia: 2

Draws: 2

Japan have the bragging rights firmly in this department as they beat Australia in the 2014 and 2018 AFC Women’s Asian Cup finals.

The Nadeshiko won 1-0 on both occasions and will now be keen to complete their hattrick against their opponents.

All time head-to-head record

Overall games played: 17

Won by Japan: 10

Won by Australia: 5

Draws: 2

In their last five matches against each other, Japan holds a good advantage, having picked up three wins while Australia has won once and the match has ended in a draw on one occasion.

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