On Sunday, March 15, Japan secured its semi-finals spot in the ongoing AFC Women’s Asia Cup 2026 after defeating the Philippines by 7-0 in Sydney. Toko Koga scored two goals in the match, while Momoko Tanikawa, Manaka Matsukubo, Mina Tanaka, Remina Chiba, and Riko Ueki claimed one each. Japan now has 24 goals without reply in the tournament. They will take on South Korea in the semifinals as they are looking to add a third title of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
The match was a one-sided affair as Japan continued to suppress and pushed the Philippines to the edge. However, in the first quarter, the Philippines goalkeeper Nina Meollo managed to set up a strong defence to deny any goal from India. Just before halftime, Japan’s Tanaka breaks the defence after getting a close-range header and sets Japan in the lead. Later, Koga went on to double the lead after scoring a goal from the corner.
After the break, the Japanese powered through ahead in the match and in the 65th minute Chiba got a right-footed shot to take the team’s lead by 3-0. Soon after two minutes, Matsukubo successfully added the fourth goal of the team. The strikes then continued from Koga who got her second in the match and the fifth for the team after scoring from a close-range header in the 75th minute.
Japan got its sixth goal later in the 86th minute from Tanikawa while substitute Ueki led the momentum and got the seventh and final goal for the team in the 90th minute. The win showcased a decisive and powerful performance from Japan’s women’s football team.
In addition to the victory and a semi-finals spot in the tournament, Japan has booked their spot in the 2027 Women’s World Cup which will be held in Brazil. Meanwhile, the Philippines has one more chance to remain in the Asia Cup after competing against the losing quarterfinalists from which two spots will be booked on the playoffs on the Gold Coast.
The other semi-finals match between Australia and China is yet to be played which is scheduled on Tuesday, March 17.
