Nadeshiko Japan (Japan Women's National Team) defeated Korea Republic Women's National Team 2-0 in the semi-finals of the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 at Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa on Tuesday 29 September, securing their place in the final for the sixth consecutive tournament.

Japan made two changes to the side that started the quarter-final and lined up in a 4-3-3 formation. OHBA Shu was in goal, with HAMADA Megu, ITO Juri, GOTO Wakaba and KUWAHARA Ai forming the back four from right to left. UENO Mami played at the base of midfield, with TAKARADA Saori and SHIOKOSHI Yuzuho ahead of her, while NARUMIYA Yui, KAMIYA Chiina and NAKASHIMA Yoshino formed the front three.

Rain had been falling since the morning and continued after kick-off, making ball control difficult for both sides. Japan settled into the game with Ueno and Nakashima both getting shots away. Korea Republic, seeking their first appearance in an Asian Games final, threatened at the other end after capitalising on a Japan mistake, but Oba was quickly off her line to deal with the danger.

Japan came close to breaking the deadlock just before half-time when Kuwahara crossed from the left and Kamiya met the ball with a left-footed volley, only to see her effort strike the left post.

MIZUNO Fukina came on at right-back at the start of the second half, with Hamada moving into attack, and Japan began to pose a greater threat going forward.

The breakthrough came in the 54th minute. Ueno delivered an early cross and Kamiya timed her run to meet it with a header, giving Japan the lead. It was her fifth consecutive match with a goal, drawing loud applause from the crowd.

Nine minutes later, Japan's pressing produced the second. Ueno and Narumiya closed down a Korea Republic player from either side and forced a misplaced pass. Kamiya immediately pounced on the loose ball and fired a left-footed shot into the bottom-right corner.

Korea Republic continued to see plenty of the ball and looked to build attacks through short passes, but Japan, who had kept clean sheets in each of their previous four matches, remained solid at the back. Substitute SENO Yuki provided important cover, while Oba dealt confidently with Korea Republic's threat from corners as Japan prevented their opponents from creating any clear-cut chances.

Japan saw out the closing stages to complete a 2-0 victory, securing their place in the Asian Games final for a record sixth consecutive tournament and guaranteeing themselves at least a silver medal.

Nadeshiko Japan will face DPR Korea Women's National Team in the final at Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa on Friday 2 October, as they look to win the Asian Games title for the third consecutive tournament.

Coach and Players' Comments

KANO Michihisa, Head Coach of Nadeshiko Japan
It was a very tough match, just as we expected, but the players worked incredibly hard and that helped us get the win. I'm very grateful to them. At half-time, we talked about the timing of our press and where we wanted to win the ball. We wanted to take the initiative and go after the ball ourselves. I reminded the players that this is the first Asian Games to be held in Japan in 32 years, and asked them to think about what we wanted to show the supporters who had come to the stadium despite the rain, as well as those watching on television and online. I told the players that this semi-final was another opportunity for us to grow and that we needed to show everything we'd worked on out on the pitch. They were ready to dig in and fight from the warm-up onwards, and they carried that mentality into the match.

GK #23 OHBA Shu (Rangers FC/Scotland)
We've gone into every match since the group stage determined to keep a clean sheet. We knew the level would go up from the semi-finals onwards, so keeping that run going gives us confidence for the next match. Everyone worked together towards the same goal, communicated well and defended as a team. I knew the wet conditions would make the pitch slippery, so when they had the ball and looked to play in behind our defensive line, I was ready to come off my line if it carried through. I thought I dealt with those situations well. We also faced DPR Korea at the last Asian Games, and we know how much determination they play with. We need to match that, put our bodies on the line and try to keep another clean sheet. Doing that would give us even more confidence going forward.

DF #13 KUWAHARA Ai (INAC Kobe Leonessa)
It was my first time facing Korea Republic at international level, so I was a little nervous, but more than anything I was looking forward to the match. I went into it determined to win my individual battles, and I'm pleased that we were able to score the goals we needed and see out the win as a team. I was always thinking about how Yoshino, playing ahead of me, wanted to receive the ball. Whenever there was a break in play, we talked about when she wanted the pass and whether she wanted it to feet or in behind the defence. That communication helped us work together down the left. We'd talked a lot before the match about keeping another clean sheet, so I'm pleased we managed to do that. In the final, I want us to keep competing for every ball and show what we can do when we come together as a team.

FW #11 KAMIYA Chiina (Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina)
I was the one who scored the goals, but I really feel they came from the work of the whole team. Personally, there were chances when I wasn't able to get a proper shot away, and I wasn't able to create enough openings myself. I need to find ways to produce more of those moments. There were also times today when they were able to close me down and stop me from getting involved. I wanted to be more of a focal point in attack, so that's something I want to improve in the short time we have before what will be another tough match in the final. I've been very focused on scoring at this tournament, and that's something the coach expects from me as a forward. I want to use this tournament to take my game to another level, so it's encouraging that I'm starting to get the results to show for it. I'm happy that I'll get to face RI Song A, my teammate at Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina, in the final, but I want to make sure we're the ones celebrating at the end.

20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026

Tournament Period: Monday 14 September – Friday 2 October 2026
Tournament information