Japan 1 Australia 0

Australia remembered what football was all about on Saturday night. For anyone who was at the pre-game at the Royal Oak Hotel in Lidcombe or later at the Brewery at Sydney Olympic Park, you will have experienced what it truly means to be a football fan, surrounded by like-minded souls who just wanted to have a good time in the name of te sport they love. The boisterous, joyous mood was transported to Stadium Australia for a pre-game featuring Australian music royalty, which flowed straight into the choreographed pre-game sequence that we’ve all enjoyed for the last three weeks. The stadium was filled with the hazy mist of the pre-game concert as the photographers were corralled into position and the high-tempo music blasted throughout the quickly-filling stadium, Melissa Barbieri proudly entering the field with the trophy and thrusting it skywards as if she had won it once more.

The pre-game formalities were taken to another level, the fireworks crackling as the players waited in the tunnel and the flag-bearers moved into position as the bells tolled. This was just superb, the music was blasting, the stadium was almost full, the flags were extra-big, five instead of the standard three that we’ve seen, and the pulsating heartbeat music heralded the players onto the field. Smoke once again filled the stadium, the players lined up ready for the national anthems. Epic would be an understatement, the Sarah Brightman Phantom of the Opera number for Japan ending seemingly prematurely, while the stadium was filled with Advance Australia Fair, sung perfectly, the final line delivered faultlessly with just the right amount of delay to the final three words. Spine-tingling? Yes. A full Stadium Australia, even the non-viewing seats behind the opaque substitutes’ benches were filled, and not one person on level six was complaining about their view.

The countdown to kick-off was impeccable, the Matildas Active popping up at the other end of the stadium to where we’d normally expect them to be. Mary Fowler, Caitlin Foord and Sam Kerr combined for the first chance, a scuffed shot pushed behind for a corner, the stadium rising as one to salute the attacking intent. As the Matildas Active chanted, the stadium erupted in a slow hand-clap. Hana Takahashi drilled a cross-shot from the right that Mackenzie Arnold did well to smother. Japan had the ascendency already, Australia were in control in defence despite weathering the pressure, Riko Ueki unable to get good contact on a cross. The crowd was a peculir dynamic, the Matildas Active, fresh from their epic pre-game, making a racket, but instead of joining in with the chants, the rest of the fair-weather glory-hunting crowd was happy with the Aussie Aussie Aussie chant, a dagger to the heart of anyone who has followed Australian football longer than one game.

Kaitlyn Torpey was composed. Steph Catley was calm at the back and Australia broke, a ball played into Foord for a good chance, and she hit it early but goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita made a routine stop. Torpey raced back into position to thwart a break and received warm applause from the crowd. The game was playing out just as the Matildas wanted it to, the ball being stretched out to the wings and the Japan team struggling to find openings to exploit. The Viking clap was echoing around the stadium when Japan struck, and what a goal it was, Maika Hamano taking a ball in from the wing and unleashing an unstoppable shot, somewhat out of the blue, that Arnold could get nowhere near. There was no Viking clap after that. Mini Gorry was the unlikely player heading on goal seconds later as Foord hassled, and the Matildas were not fazed by the goal at all. Toko Koga’s injury saw the teams retreat to the sidelines as the Mexican wave started on 20 minutes, a sign that the majority of the crowd was invested in the occasion but not the football.

The Matildas were patient, the long ball only an option if there was nothing else on, Catley trying it out only for Sam Kerr to be punished for a clear push. If Australia were going to get back into the game, they would need to loosen their grip and push further onto their opponents, giving Japan more opportunities themselves. Torpey’s foul on Ueki gave the all-blue Japan side a chance from the right, superstar Yui Hasegawa firing in the cross, but Australia stayed strong. Katrina Gorry was battling, but she was often played into unwinnable positions in the midfield pivot, Japan breaking swiftly and with intent. Hinata Miyazawa couldn’t control her shot as Japan tentatively ventured forward, Gorry was penalised for a clear foul from behind, and the game remained perfectly poised, no one in the stadium able to predict which way the momentum would sway. Foord chased down Yamashita and got lucky, the goalkeeper briefly stranded, but she was all alone and could only smash in a speculative shot from distance. Kyra Cooney-Cross did well to stop the Japan surge at the expense of a corner, and from the clearance, Kerr found Foord and we almost had a breakaway, Gorry unable to make anything of the position. Japan were defending stoutly, the Matildas had belief. The incessant Oi Oi Oi continued around the stadium. Hikaru Kitagawa fired in a superb shot that Arnold saved, Miyazawa having spread the play beautifully.

There had been only one stoppage midway through the first half, the three extra minutes about right, and when Kerr fed Foord, the crowd rose, but Foord’s shot was scuffed wide. Torpey was warned that it was her last chance after bringing down her opponent again, and the Matildas defended well to bring the half to a close with no further damage. The entertainment continued at half time, the music thumping to distract from the queues for the women’s toilets and the unfulfilled queues for food.

The Matildas started the second half with intent, Carpenter and Fowler stretching the Japan defence, unfortunately it was Gorry who was the target for the header. Joe Montemurro couldn’t believe that the ball hadn’t gone out right in front of him, the assistant referee disinterested when the ball appeared to have crossed the line. Japan almost unlocked the Matildas defence with a ball from the left that was almost identical to the first South Korea goal in the group stage, and when Kitagawa crossed deep from the left, Ueki had a free header but put it wide under no pressure whatsoever.

The next goal would be crucial. Australia stepped up a gear, Carpenter too strong in the tackle and Foord coming in from the left to slide in majestically to keep Japan from building from midfield. Foord got into a good position but played a blind pass out of play. The Matildas Active fans were unbelievable, surrounded by multiple chants of Oi Oi Oi but maintaining their impressive drum beat despite the distractions. Cooney-Cross remembered her lines from a game gone by, trying an audacious chip from halfway that was never troubling Yamashita, and Japan went on the attack, Maika Hamano swinging in a cross from the right, Cooney-Cross doing well to win a free kick as she burst from defence. The contest was now following the script of every Japan game so far in this tournament, Japan pressing and Australia unable to clear their lines with anything meaningful. Gorry was surprisingly replaced by Hayley Raso and looked distraught, the din when the substitution was made bringing the volume to a new level. Let’s go Matildas, let’s go chanted the high-school mums and dads, the Matildas active responding with a more appropriate Aussie chant, but they were fighting a losing battle.

Torpey was well-placed but unable to connect correctly with a cross from the left as Australia threatened, and they pushed forward in search of the equaliser, Foord winning a corner on the left to lift the crowd to yet another level. The crowd erupted. A cross from Fowler was too far for Kerr, and the crowd dampened again. The Matildas had 20 minutes, and they were still in this game. When the crowd wanted to, the thunderous clap was effective, Carpenter racing down the right but she couldn’t make the cross count. Raso brought the crowd to a crescendo, flinging herself at Foord’s cross from the left, Kerr unable to do anything with the rebound. An injury to Kitagawa gave the players one last chance to get coaching from the sideline, the Mexican Wave finally making its way around the packed stadium of 74,397 fans. Torpey had the crowd going again, battling to win a corner and revving up the fans like an excited capo. The Matildas were swarming their opponents, it was all Australia, but with only ten minutes remaining on the clock.

Both teams made double substitutions, both teams retiring top quality players. This was going to be a grandstand finish, but Australia did look as though they would come up short. Carpenter and Raso combined to unlock the Japan defence, the ball falling for Van Egmond on the rebound, but Japan blocking well. Even the VAR check couldn’t provide any hope – possible penalty was the message, the crowd had no idea what it was for. Raso was hauled down with no free-kick, the assistant once more not interested in making a decision of any kind, and the minutes ticked down, the crowd completely enthralled by now.

Carpenter’s cross was perfect, Kennedy’s header thrilling, but Yamashita made the save. Japan were hemmed in, the crowd rose but Australia couldn’t make the breakthrough. Four minutes stood between the Matildas and heartbreak. The crowd was buzzing, this was as good as it gets for an Australian crowd at home, and the Matildas attacked again, time the enemy, and a flowing move brought a corner as Wheeler’s cross was headed behind. One last chance. even Arnold was up, the Matildas lost the ball and it looked like curtains for a second, but still the Matildas had a chance. It was now or never, but when Japan thrashed the ball out of play, the final whistle sounded and Japan had won. The Matildas players crumbled to the floor. What an incredible effort they had made. One goal had been enough, and what goal it was. A familiar story. The boos that accompanied the full time whistle were totally unjustified and straight from a pantomime; this had been a superb final that had kept the capacity crowd entertained and enthralled until the very end.

The teams formed their circles, Japan quite rightly in the centre circle as if owning the stadium, Australia consoling themselves after an epic battle. The stage was assembled in the centre of the stadium, the train of fireworks trolleys getting into position. This venue will not be looked back on fondly by the Matildas after this tournament, but they gave the crowd superb entertainment, hard running and thrills and with just a little but more composure in the first half they could have been well and truly in the game and could have taken this final further into the night. With the elaborate stage now constructed, the players congregated at the north end of the stadium as the thumping music distracted from the sight of the multiple volunteers leaving the field. The stadium was ringed by young Matildas fans looking for a high-five or a selfie with their heroes, but the trophy presentation was such an epic event that most mums and dads would have taken their families home to bed, the clock ticking well past ten o’clock before the formalities had even started.

Melissa Barbieri didn’t look as full of joie de vivre as she had done pre-game, bringing the trophy carefully to its mantle. Japan were awarded the fair play trophy for the tournament, the best goalkeeper award, the top goalscorer award with Riko Ueki taking that one, but Alanna Kennedy took out the MVP of the tournament, the remaining crowd saluting their hero. In a lovely touch, Japan provided a guard of honour for the Aussie team as they walked onto the stage to collect their losers’ medals, but tonight belonged to Japan, and they were given a guard of honour in return by the valiant Matildas as they walked up to collect their winners’ medals and the AFC Women’s Asian Cup trophy that they had rightly deserved after a sensational tournament.

We can now begin to reflect on a fantastic three-week football bonanza that has gripped the football nation, and take stock that Australia will not be hosting another international football tournament until the Olympics in 2032. If you didn’t fill your boots with this tournament’s 27 international matches on home soil, you’ve got a long time to wait for the next. Sayonara from Stadium Australia.

South Korea 1 Japan 4

Sydney relies on good weather to host a good event, but as many weddings, birthdays and beach parties have seen sunshine replaced by late afternoon rain on a balmy autumn day, some of the best events take place when everyone comes together thanks to the elements. As the drizzle started over an hour from kick off, workers running to cover the DJ decks and rain drifting into the upper reaches of the stands, outside in the precinct the fans were taking cover under the newly erected giant marquee and taking advantage of the purple gym towels being handed out at the Health Hub to keep dry. But they were undeterred. By the start of the pre-game sequence in the stadium, the north end was busy with South Korea fans, not a sign of their Japanese counterparts.

The Welcome to Country by the rather relaxed Uncle was an unfortunate inaudible waffle mentioning K-Pop and J-Pop, but the crowd warmed to the unexpected fireworks display that followed, the rain having now stopped and we had a perfect night for football on our hands. The wind blew the smoke quickly away leaving us with a clear stadium for the immaculate national anthems, South Korea’s We’ll Support You Ever More sung in an operatic style followed by a Sarah Brightman Phantom of the Opera number for Japan. The Japan fans piped up immediately with a shout of Nippon Nippon, but they would be heavily outnumbered today.

Aoba Fujino smashed in the first shot of the game, deflected wide for a corner and Yui Hasegawa’s cross caused utter panic in the South Korea penalty area but the defence scrambled the ball away. The Korean fans were loud, they were numerous, and when they grouped in together, they were a wall of red. Contrast that to the group of ten Japan fans with their drum at the opposite end, and it was clear who was the home team. Japan should have scored when they worked a beautiful opening across the box for a fierce shot – Kim Minjung made the save but only into the path of the darling of Japanese football Yui Hasegawa who could only fire wide of the gaping goal.

Riko Ueki rifled a shot wide as Japan kept up the pressure, their opponents doing themselves no favours with their sloppy clearances. Hana Takahashi got on the end of another exquisite Yui Hasegawa corner but it was easy for Kim Minjung. Aoba Fujino fired in a shot on the run that Ko Yoo Jin did well to block before Fuka Nagano pounced on a clearance at the edge of the box but could only screw the shot harmlessly wide. This was a physical game, the referee letting play go on despite some meaty challenges, but she had to stop play with Japan on the break when the ball struck her, much to the annoyance of the all-blue Japanese players. When South Korea dallied in defence, Kim Shinji was far too slow to offload and she had her pocket picked by Fuka Nagano, who squared to Riko Ueki for a simple finish under Kim Minjung for 1-0.

Just as the neutral in the crowd began to wonder how many Japan would rack up against their luminous orange opponents, a loose ball dropped invitingly for Park Soo Jeong, who steadied herself and rifled a shot just past the post – a warning shot. Don’t discount the South Koreans just yet. Aoba Fujino was next to test the Korean rearguard, smashing a shot just over from the edge of the area to oohs from the totally enthralled fans. A moment of pure magic made it two, Hikaru Kitagawa’s cross was too long but Maika Hamano scampered after the ball, pursued by two defenders. She somehow tricked her way out of the challenge and took two steps towards goal, unleashing an unstoppable shot from the acute angle to burst the roof of the net. What a goal! South Korea did venture forward, Choo Hyojoo showing good feet to make space for a shot, but the ball sailed harmlessly over Ayaka Yamashita’s goal.

Japan were relentless. Yui Hasegawa had the ball on a string, and from her cross, Aoba Fujino had the ball in the net with a close-range header but this time she was offside and the Korean fans roared with a mixture of relief and delight. This was a bombardment, South Korea were receiving back what they had delivered to Uzbekistan in the quarter finals, and the sight of their defence under siege had the Australian fans watching on wide-eyed at the prospect of Japan overrunning the Matildas on Saturday evening back at this grand stadium. The huge wall of red continued to support their heroes, even as Aoba Fujino curled one just around the post. South Korea went to their bench early to try and soak up the attacks, but when Riko Ueki raced on to a loose ball up the line, her pinpoint pass inside found Aoba Fujino and the curling finish past Kim Minjung was sublime. But wait, a VAR check, and in a perfect move for the neutral, an earlier handball was spotted and a fabulous goal was ruled out, again to a huge roar from the South Korean fans. The resulting free kick gave Park Soo Jeong a sniff at goal, her shot from the edge of the area dropping just past the post with Ayaka Yamashita untroubled.

The half ended as it started, Japan pouring on the pressure, South Korea forced to their bench again after an injury to Mun Eunju and the half-time whistle sounded in a moment of confusion, neither referee nor assistant willing to make a call as to which way the throw-in was being awarded. This had been a fantastic half of football, flowing with little input from the referee and two strong, physical teams going head to head with so much at stake. The Japanese fans at the South end grew in numbers, the Aussie kids deciding they needed help, while the drummers bashed away in the Korean end competing with the thumping stadium music. We had a half-time performance, a drumming troupe that was complemented perfectly by the South Korean drum squad dressed in white in the middle of the sea of red.

South Korea were forced into another change at half time, their third as Kang Chaerim came on to try and change the game. They were enlivened too, Japan’s first attack a horribly scuffed shot by Hana Takahashi although South Korea were guilty of over-playing after they had done so well to get rare moments of possession. A beautiful lay-off by Riko Ueki set Fuka Nagano away for a one-on-one with Kim Minjung but she never looked confident and dragged the shot hopelessly wide of the post. Japan were calm in possession, despite their opponents fizzing about in hot pursuit; it was difficult to see how South Korea would get anything out of this game at all. They started to take more risks, leaving more orange shirts further upfield, but what else could they do?

Park Soo Jeong raced up the left, but her cross was well smothered by Ayaka Yamashita, South Korea giving their vocal fans a thrill, but again Japan threatened and it seemed like a matter of time before Japan added to their tally to make their passage to the final more comfortable. Riko Ueki’s bullet header from a corner struck the bar, before clever close control by Kim Hyeri earned South Korea a free kick. They sent everyone up and wasted the free kick, but managed to win a corner, the stadium coming to life as Kim Hyeri swung in the cross, but Ayaka Yamashita leapt to snatch the ball out of the air to quell the excitement. South Korea had upped their game. They chased and hassled, leaving themselves exposed but playing with sharp precision to get out of trouble at the back. Every mis-placed pass by Japan had the noise levels at maximum, and when Kim Hyeri launched a free-kick into the Japan penalty area, the screams were piercing.  

A third goal did arrive, a corner from the right tempting Kim Minjung out of goal and Saki Kumugai had the simplest of headers into an empty net for 3-0. The goalscorer was delighted and raced to the sideline for high fives from the whole squad. Japan had seemingly stamped their ticket to the final, but South Korea had other ideas, Kang Chaerim starting and finishing a move with an unbelievable turn and shot from the edge of the area that squeezed past Ayaka Yamashita for 3-1. The stadium was bouncing, all of a sudden Japan were under pressure and South Korean tails were up. The result was though put beyond doubt when Japan counter-attacked with ruthless simplicity, Manaka Matsukubo finding the perfect pass to Remina Chiba in space on the left, who advanced and rifled her shot past Kim Minjung for 4-1. The Korean fans had already seen their goal though, and they were in full voice despite their team effectively dead and buried.

The crowd figure of 17,367 was no disgrace, the Korean fans making all the noise, and the volume was taken up a further notch when Choe Yuri wriggled through but could only shoot straight at the Japanese goalkeeper. A fifth goal was quite rightly chalked off for offside, Hana Takahashi going for power with a cross-shot, but Yuzuki Yamamoto was offside when she bravely headed the fierce cross into the net. There was time for Choe Yuri to threaten again, her pass inside finding Kang Chaerim but the shot was saved. South Korea were by now leaving massive holes in defence, but it was all in context; they had to be applauded for making a game of it in the second half and they kept the game exciting despite the scoreline. A late late unexpected VAR call had the Korean fans frothing, the referee disappearing to the monitor when we had all expected the final whistle. There was such disappointment when the arm was raised for offside instead of pointing for the penalty.

Japan decided they needed to run down the rest of the time in the corner flag, the stadium bursting into blaring music at full-time to drown out the South Korean fans and the celebrating pack of Japanese fans. Both sets of players kept to themselves after the formal handshakes, the Japanese squad forming a tight circle and the South Korean fans disappearing behind the goal to salute their fabulous fans. This was a farewell, every Korean fan applauding as the players left the field, while their victorious opponents bowed respectfully to their fans from a distance. The stadium was virtually empty by the time the Japanese players left the field, the camera crews working them into orderly lines to bow before their few fans scattered throughout the stadium.

Heavyweights Japan had cruised into the AFC Women’s Asian Cup final, South Korea made to look like a lowly ranked outsider, but we can be thankful to the gracious Korean team for making a contest of it in the second half, as well as for their colourful and boistrous fans. We have two fascinating play-off matches to come first, but this weekend’s final is going to be an incredible occasion – Australia yet to play to their full potential up against the well-oiled machine of Japan, who just look imperious. Cancel all plans for Saturday – if the Matildas win this one, they’re going to pull off something special at Stadium Australia that the country will be talking about for years to come.

Japan 7 Philippines 0

Japan’s quarter-final clash at Stadium Australia was meant to be the day after the Matildas own Sydney quarter-final, and many tickets would have been sold in anticipation of rounding off a smashing weekend of top-flight international football. While this may have been a mitigating factor in the low numbers inside and outside the stadium in the lead up to kick off, the nearby CommBank Stadium may well have been a more appropriate venue for this game in the first place. The attendances at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 have been the source of much conjecture; indeed, with fifteen minutes to kick off, there was no bank of Japanese fans to emulate South Korea’s barmy army, and there was little to suggest that the Philippines would have any active support whatsoever. Anyone attending today’s game would be expecting nothing less than a avalanche of Japanese goals, but Chinese Taipei’s sterling effort in Perth had given everyone hope that a surprise result was still possible in this stacked competition.

The welcome to country with 13 minutes to kick-off, the real-life version only reserved for Australia games, we were now in familiar territory, although the long snaking flag-bearing team were missing until That’s How We Win filled the stadium with booming bass. The familiar Hell’s Bells tolled in the unfurling, followed by the heartbeat and the entrance of the players. The Philippines massive were in at the south end of the stadium, with colourful dancers in elaborate head-dress, the smoke pop was superb, the cello-heavy Japanese anthem, a la Phantom of the Opera bringing a cheer of Nippon, Nippon from the small bank of Japan fans at the north end. The Philippines military oompah was sung with joy by the players and fans and the team went to the centre of their half for their solo huddle as the whole Japan squad assembled in a strange almond-shape for their final pep talk.

Sunshine bathed one half of the playing surface, Japan’s left side doing all their hard work in the direct sunlight. A cross from Risa Shimizu was flicked wide for the first half-chance, but this didn’t strike as much of a mis-match as yesterday’s South Korea vs Uzbekistan quarter-final. Japan threatened, Honoka Hayashi at the heart of everything good, Nina Meollo palming away her shot from the edge of the area after a neat corner routine. A stoppage for Mallie Ramirez took the wind out of Japan’s sails, both teams retreating to their technical areas to receive instructions. The all-white Philippines called on the bench with less than ten minutes gone, the injury-struck Ramirez off for Chandler McDaniel and Japan immediately stepped on the gas to force the all-important opening goal. They were patient, moving the ball around just outside the penalty area until the opening was manufactured, the Philippines defenders having to be on constant alert to the cut-back from the byline.

The game was being played against a background of a low hum from the crowd, pierced by intermittent drumming from either end and the odd shout of Nippon Nippon. Hayashi curled a cross deep from the left that Meollo did well to claim, and a cross from the right by Kiko Seike was hacked away for a corner from underneath the bar. This was intense pressure, the all-blue Japanese team going in for the kill, but maintaining their structure and patience. Shimizu crossed for Mina Tanaka but the powerful header was over the bar. Twenty minutes in with no goals, but Malea Cesar could do nothing but play the ball straight out of play with no options to ease the pressure. Hinata Miyazawa’s header was well stopped by Meollo after good work on the right had carved out the opportunity. This was intriguing. The Philippines players could only boot the ball away into touch to earn a few seconds’ respite from the bombardment.

The unlucky fans on the eastern side of the stadium squinted and baked their way through the action, most of the fans taking refuge at both ends in the shade. Seike crossed from the right but there was no touch to guide it goalwards; Japan had to keep their nerve. They started to shoot from distance, Hayashi and Aoba Fujino going close with long-range efforts, but the attack vs defence training ground continued. Yui Hasegawa was denied by Meollo’s reactions after fine work on the right by Seike and she watched her snapshot roll wide after reacting quickly from the rebound. There was no surprise when Meollo went down to buy some time, both squads assembling again on the touchline; if the Philippines were goin to pull off the miracle of all miracles, they would have to dig deep into their box of dark arts.   

When Miyabi Moriya played a cross straight out of play following a patient build-up there were signs of frustration, but Moriya nearly made amends with a thumping shot that only just cleared the bar. Hali Long brought down Tanaka and Japan had a good position to test their set-piece prowess. A move straight from training saw Aoba Fujino lash a ball goalwards after two tidy touches had given her an eye on goal, but Meollo was equal to it. Hasegawa fired over when a headed clearance fell her way; she looked to the skies for inspiration. Hayashi had two bites at a shot from the edge of the area, but Meollo got down well again to smother.  Passes started to go astray, Japan’s patience was being tested as they continued to stroke the ball around from right to left and back with no way through.

The advent of half-time is often the time when the banks are breached in these games, and that’s how it turned out. Toko Koga’s effort on goal was brilliantly saved, Fujino couldn’t force the ball over Meollo, who tipped the ball onto the bar but Tanaka showed great courage and anticipation to force the ball over the line with a diving header. VAR couldn’t find anything with the incident-filled lead-up, and Tanaka almost had a second when Meollo dived full-length to tip the ball past the post. It was two though when Koga was given the freedom of the six-yard box to leap and thump in a header from another corner from the left. She was delighted and her teammates made a fuss, the defender all smiles as she retreated back to her usual position at the back. Hasegawa’s low shot ended the action in the first half, Meollo saving at the second attempt, and Koga was still beaming as she headed down the tunnel.

The majority of the fans in the eastern stand had conceded defeat and were streaming for the shade, the upper tier becoming bathed in hot sunshine too, sending the last hardy souls back up the rows until there were none left. The game was over as a contest at 2-0, the Philippines having been hemmed into heir own penalty area for the entirety of the half. Their defending had been terrific, the scrambling and the goalkeeping heroics were outstanding, but there was just no way that they would get anywhere near the Japan goal with the ultra-defensive tactics they had employed. A fascinating second half was coming up, but the purists in the stadium would be hoping for something more enthralling than Japan filling their goalscoring boots.

No changes at the break, the Philippines had to try something different and there would be no disgrace in going for broke. Japan altered their line-up and were tentative at the beginning of the half but continued to press forward, their drum-wielding fans trying to get the atmosphere going with the additional fans now joining them in the shade at the north end of the stadium. Substitute Remina Chiba headed goalwards from a corner from the left, but Meollo’s fingertips pushed the ball over the bar. Fujino fired in a cross-shot from the right that Meollo saved well.  Fujino was again involved, running directly at the Philippines defence, her shot deflected past the post with Meollo wrong-footed. By now the game had reverted to the attack vs defence drill from the first half, the Philippines defending for their lives. Hasegawa rifled a shot over from the edge of the area, Japan giving the crowd as much entertainment as they could.

Both teams shuffled their respective packs, early substitute McDaniel taken off in a trio of changes for the Philippines after Japan had freshened up their line-up with a double change. Chiba should have made it three, arriving to head a glorious cross wide when it looked easier to score. Meollo then saved from point-blank from Chiba, who couldn’t believe the reactions of the goalkeeper, but Chiba was patient and when Fujino lifted a delicious ball in from the left, she fired home beautifully to give Meollo no chance. There was little time to take that in before Manaka Matsukubo picked up the ball inside the Philippines penalty area, surged past two challenges and rifled into the roof of the net for 4-0. The result was beyond doubt now, and as the players retreated to their technical areas once again, the Mexican Wave went around the stadium, no mean feat with the numerous empty pockets of seats between the two ends. Matsukubo sliced a shot wide as Japan came again, and their replacement of the under-employed goalkeeper Chika Hirao was an indication that the game was perhaps now a practice match.

Moeka Minami went close with a header, and from the following corner, Tanaka helped the ball back into the six-yard box over Meollo and Koga was there on the line to steer her free header over the line to make it five. Matsukubo spun sharply to fire straight at Meollo as Japan refused to take their foot off the pedal, perhaps a nod to their South Korean opponents in Wednesday’s semi-final back at Stadium Australia. The crowd of 13,321 was surprising, given the noise generated by the South Korean fans with less in attendance yesterday. Japan’s drummer and his handful of active fans tried to keep the fans engaged with the game, but another stoppage interrupted the flow, and the young fans starting the Mexican wave were again allowed to try their luck. This was going to be a difficult last ten minutes, with Anicka Castaneda waiting to come on for the potentially concussed Malea Cesar.

Momoko Tanikawa ghosted into the area and picked up a cross from the right, steering a shot under Meollo for six. Substitute Riko Ueki had been on for a minute when she connected with a deep cross from the right to make it seven, South Korea put on high alert and still Japan kept coming, intending to use the five additional minutes for further attacking practice. Ueki turned a header just wide, Hikaru Kitagawa fired a shot past the post and still the Philippines did their best to repel their talented opponents. The Nippon, Nippon “Pop Goes The World” chant had been going for a minute when the final whistle sounded and the Philippines were put out of their misery. Toko Koga got the tried and tested player of the match award for her two goals (always the top goalscorer from the winning team), the players met in the centre circle for the formal handshakes, the Philippines bench coming on to join them against standard protocol. Two rings then formed as the teams wet through vastly different team talks, both teams ending their discussions with applause.

The stadium had almost cleared out by the time the players had a chance to say hello and goodbye to their fans, both squads lining up to bow to opposite sides and ends of the stadium before the rest of the fans filtered away into the early evening. This early evening fixture had mirrored last night’s spectacle, both the Japanese and South Korean teams having proven too strong for their underdog opponents. Nina Meollo can hold her head high, making a string of saves to prevent the scoreline blowing out further. This Japan team offers something a little different to their South Korean counterparts. It’s not all sharp passing and calculated moves; they have the X-factor and the flair to take out this competition in style. We just hope it comes in a game against Australia here next weekend. The one-sided games are finally over, we now look forward to four cracking games before the final next Saturday, the play-off matches throwing some very handy match-ups our way to keep the excitement going for the whole week. This is where the AFC Women’s Asian Cup comes alive, the semi-final match-ups are going to be epic!

South Korea 6 Uzbekistan 0

When special event buses are running in Sydney, the event is usually one that attracts tens of thousands of fans. Alas, the first quarter final in Sydney, which was meant to involve the Matildas, was never going to attract a crowd to justify the major outlay of a free bus network across Sydney before and after the game, and music lovers at Qudos Arena for the Linkin Park concert would outnumber the crowd at this entertainment hub. The script may have been torn up by Joe Montemurro, but what we had at Stadium Australia was still the possibility of an entertaining game, Group A winners South Korea up against plucky minnows Uzbekistan, who qualified thanks to a sole victory over Bangladesh in Group B. The best we could hope for was a spirited performance from the Uzbeks, the likelihood was for a comfortable victory for the Koreans and a chance for the East Coast crowd to see Japan’s opposition in the must-see semi-final on Wednesday.

The Heartbeat of football health hub was well attended outside in the stadium precinct, the merchandise stall offered fans a final chance to get Uzbekistan-branded kit and accessories, and the Locker Room was a mix of concert-goers and casual football fans gearing up for their respective events. The Uzbekistan team was out first, throwing their mini footballs into the crowd but having to give it some welly as there were hardly any fans in. The South Korea fans followed soon after, doing much the same, but the sparse crowd was more interested in the pre-game routine when the players had left the field, the flags marched onto the field all furled up, unfurled and waved up and down in the same way as every game had been so far. The duh-dum heart beat music preceded the entrance of the players, the smoke-works burst with colour and smoke filled the air. This was like a well-worn pair of slippers, such was the familiarty, the South Korean anthem almost to the tune of the comedy terrace chant “What the f*cking hell was that?” and the Uzbekistan anthem following like the teary part of a Disney princess movie.

South Korea started well, shooting away from their bank of red shirts at the opposite end, the drum and the chants loud against the otherwise quiet stadium. Choe Yuri found space down the right, for South Korea and her cross was cut out but she was straight onto a through ball a minute later, controlling well before Uzbek goalkeeper Maftuna Jonimqulova saved, and from the rebound, Mun Eunju had the easiest chance but somehow lifted her shot well over the bar for an incredible miss. Kim Hyeri cut in from the right and fired in a shot that was headed over by Dilrabo Asadova for a corner, Jang Selgi lashed in a shot that Jonimqulova saved well at the near post. The goal was coming, and when Choe Yuri played a beautiful through ball for late call-up Son Hwa-Yeon, she shot on goal, the desperate dive of Asadova deflecting the ball and sending it looping into the net for 1-0. A cute celebration was straight from Singin’ in the Rain, the double click of the heels something new.

The Korean fans were in full voice now, the pressure was off, the chances kept coming, Mun Eunju at the far post from a flowing move and cross from the left unable to turn the ball home, and goalscorer Son Hwa-Yeon got her head to a superb cross from the right only for Jonimqulova to beat the ball away with incredible reactions. The pressure was intense and finally when the ball was half cleared to defender Ko Yoo Jin on the edge of the area, she took the initiative to curl a sensational shot over Jonimqulova for 2-0. Son Hwa-Yeon headed a delicious cross onto the bar and couldn’t believe it when Jonimqulova saved the rebound, Noh Jinyoung stooped low to get a header on goal that just went past the post.  Uzbekistan were simply pinned in their own half, the only respite coming from stoppages, the physios coming on to give the players a rest from being shuffled around the park by their far superior opponents. When they did manage to get two consecutive passes to stick, there was no option for a third and it was tough viewing.

Asadova and the Australian assistant referee had a disagreement about the official being in the way of the throw-in, a completely pointless argument from the Uzbek player just to buy some more downtime. Jonimqulova made a fantastic save to keep the score at 2-0, palming the ball away in full flight and the Korean fans at the other end continued to bang their drum and make a din, the defiant Uzbekistan fans behind the technical areas at least giving it a go with their Uz-bek-i-stan chant. Korea were effectively playing four, sometimes five up front, a throw-back to football in the 1950s, and when the all whites of Uzbekistan cleared, there were only orange shirts. A word on the Korean colour scheme – I have been labelled as colour blind on occasion – but that kit is orange, right? On screen they were definitely red, but live and in person, this was a fluorescent Dutch orange. The South Korea fans were bouncing, every red shirt joining in with the chants, but they were silenced when Zarina Mamatkarimova raced onto a searching long ball, goalkeeper Ryu Jisu missed the ball completely as the crowd rose as one, but got away with it, a good chance spurned on the edge of the area with the goal untended. The moments before half time were scrappy, South Korea giving the ball away uncharacteristically, the odd fan shouting coo-ee in the sparsely populated stadium as the active fans took a moment of rest.

Son Hwa-Yeon had a great chance to increase in first half added time, Kim Hyeri crossing perfectly from the right, but the presence of Jonimqulova was enough to put her off and the shot was poked wide. That was the final action of the half, the players and officials heading down the tunnel after spending almost the whole 45 minutes in the Uzbeksitan half of the field. Despite the one-sided nature of the contest, the entertainment was high, and the cheers that rung around the stadium when Uzbekistan ventured over halfway told us that the majority of the crowd was rooting for the underdog. The South Korean band played at the front of the active area, before being drowned out by Shakira on the thumping PA system. The mood at half-time was party, plenty of lime and lemon Australia shirts showing that the support would have been here had the Matildas not decided to take the hard road via Perth.

Both teams went to the bench at half time, and Uzbekistan had the first chance, a free kick from the left floated in dangerously, but the attackers had sprung too soon, Ryu Jisu making a routine catch with the flag up. Umida Zoirova took a blow to the face that slowed up the game that was starting to get its flow back. The Uzbeks looked more capable, only the final ball letting them down, the crowd urging them on. It was hard not to feel sorry for the all-whites, their endeavour warming the neutral fans, but the lack of options in attack made it tough-going whenever they were in possession in the Korea half. The third goal came courtesy of a corner, well cleared by Jonimqulova, but Park Soo Jeong fired in a shot that deflected up off half-time substitute Diyorakhon Khabibullaeva and over Jonimqulova into the net. With thirty minutes still left to play and the Korean fans in full voice, this could get ugly, but Uzbekistan went on the attack and with the help of two fortunate deflections fashioned their first chance of the half, the cross dropping into the hands of Ryu Jisu though instead of to an Uzbek head.

Jang Selgi wowed the Korean fans, winning the ball off her defender to win a corner and from the set piece, Ji Soyun was teed up for a shot from distance, Jonimqulova doing well to smother the shot as the Korean fans tried to suck the ball into the goal. Uzbekistan were managing the time, trying to frustrate the Koreans, the result of the game now a foregone conclusion. South Korea walked in a fourth goal, Ji Soyun clinically dispatching a shot from just inside the area after glorious one-touch passing had unlocked the Uzbeksitan defence. The celebration was muted, this now becoming a procession. Uzbekistan continued to play with their heads held high despite the deficit, tackles went flying in as the game threatened to boil over unnecessarily, Leyla Oraniyazova booked for a crunching lunge out on the Korean left. The crowd was announced as 12,974, no disgrace, but in a stadium that holds six times that amount, that single missing goal that would have kept the Matildas in Sydney would have been stinging for the tournament organisers.

Lee Eunyoung had the ball in the net after an almighty scramble, the referee adjudging the ball kicked out of Jonimqulova’s hands before the ultimately simple finish from close range. The best move of the game came when Ji Soyun threaded a brilliant through ball to Kang Chaerim, whose effort was saved but the ball broke kindly for Lee Eunyoung and she steadied herself to finish easily for 5-0. There was a worry when Son Hwa-Yeon was down after twisting her knee in a clumsy challenge with Rukhshona Usarova and the Uzbekistan defender was at it again soon after, slicing down Lee Eunyoung in the area for a nailed-on penalty. Up stepped Jang Selgi to slam home the spot-kick, and the final whistle sounded as soon as play restarted.

The players went through the handshake process in the centre circle with the officials, and in a nice touch, the whole South Korea team went to shake hands with goalkeeper Maftuna Jonimqulova, who had kept the score at least somewhat respectable. This had been a thoroughly entertaining game, despite the score blowing out to 6-0, and the South Korea players went to their noisy active fans to join in the celebrations, eliciting pangs of jealousy from Matildas fans at the stadium who have been denied such interaction so far in the tournament. Bring on Wednesday night back at this venue when we could be in for one of the most exciting semi-finals in Asian Cup history. A big thank you to both teams tonight for giving us a spectacle, the show rolls on, see you back here tomorrow afternoon!