A day after her 50th birthday, Takakura gave her whole country a reason to celebrate, becoming the first female coach to lead the Nadeshiko to a major international trophy thanks to substitute Kumi Yokoyama’s sensational late winner.

The former playing great revealed her pride, both at her side’s achievement and the quality of the spectacle.

“We knew since the beginning that the match tonight would be the difficult one, and I believe it was a match worth watching and one of the best matches that Asia can show at this moment,” she said.

“I’m proud to have such a great match against one of the best countries in Asia and in the world – Australia.

“We had very difficult time (tonight). Not for a short time, for a long time. I’d like to congratulate my players from deep in my heart.”

Amman International Stadium hosted a spectacular and entertaining final which showcased the best of the continent’s women’s football for the first time in West Asia. 

The AFC President, who presented the new AFC Women’s Asian Cup trophy to Japan captain Saki Kumagai, said: “It was fantastic to witness this world-class final in Jordan and I would like to offer my congratulations to Japan on their victory tonight. My appreciation goes also to the team behind the team and Japan Football Association for their preparation work which has been so evident here in Amman tonight.

“Runners-up Australia were outstanding opposition, ensuring a hard-fought match. I also congratulate all five AFC teams, Australia, China PR, Japan, Korea Republic and Thailand, who have now qualified to the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019. During this tournament they have truly showed that women’s football in Asia is going from strength to strength.”

The AFC Women’s Asian Cup, the world’s oldest continental women’s football competition, was organised for the first time in West Asia. Jordan provided the stage for Asian women’s football - including some of the world’s best players - to shine..

Offering his appreciation to the Jordan FA and the Local Organising Committee, Shaikh Salman said: “Jordan has been an excellent host to Asia’s flagship women’s football competition and the home team is an inspiration for all. They are football role models for girls and women not only at home but also in the West Asian region and beyond.

“I would like to thank the Local Organising Committee for its dedication and hard work which has enabled us to make history by bringing Asia’s flagship women’s national team competition to the West zone. We look forward to seeing the legacy of the tournament in growing numbers of girls and women taking up football.”

The Nadeshiko survived a deluge of Australian shots at goal, including a saved penalty kick in the 15th minute, before substitute Kumi Yokoyama’s superb strike turned the match in their favour with just six minutes remaining. The win means Asako Takakura’s charges are the first team to win back-to-back Asian titles since DPR Korea in 2003.

The talented striker scored twice and was an ever-present for the Nadeshiko throughout the tournament, with her display in the final only serving to further underline the 25-year-old’s growing reputation. 

However, despite her glowing reviews and well-deserved personal accolades, Iwabuchi was quick to dedicate the award to those around her.

“We won this AFC Women’s Asian Cup title because we played as a team,” she declared.

“I believe my award is simply a result of just that – the team working together, I would like to say many thanks to them.

“I am just happy that I could play all five matches during this tournament, personally speaking I should now look to develop more as a player going forward and, in the process help the team more.

The win means Asako Takakura’s charges are the first team to win back-to-back Asian titles since DPR Korea in 2003.

The Nadeshiko survived a deluge of Australian shots at goal, including a saved penalty kick in the 15th minute, before substitute Yokoyama’s strike turned the match in their favour with just six minutes remaining.

Seven days after the sides played out a crucial Group B tie to see who would remain in the tournament, they met again at the same venue to decide who would win it, and – in a repeat of the previous meeting – it was Australia who started the stronger.

 

The 25-year-old Shandong Women’s FC forward impressively found the net in all five of China’s games at the tournament, scoring twice in the group stage encounters with Thailand and host nation Jordan. 

Li was also on target during Friday’s 3-1 win over the Thais which helped the Steel Roses secure third place.

“As a striker, it is my responsibility to score, and I am delighted to have been able to help the team, but it is a team effort and my teammates have helped me throughout,” she explained.

“There are no secrets behind what I have done as it is my job to score goals. I believe I have worked extremely hard in training and I think that has paid off during this tournament.

“Having scored seven goals, a total which includes two penalties, will certainly give me added confidence going forward, but I believe I still have work to in order to improve.”

Li’s teammates Song Duan and Wang Shuang, along with title winner Kumi Yokoyama from Japan and Thailand’s Kanjana Sung-Ngoen, finished tied for second with four goals apiece, while three players – Korea Republic duo Lee Min-a and Cho So-hyun, as well as Australia’s Sam Kerr – were third on three goals.

Goals from the prolific Li Ying, Wang Shanshan and Song Duan helped seal the comprehensive victory, one which will undoubtedly offer Siggi Eyjolfsson’s charges a degree of recompense following their failure to reach the final.

For Thailand, meanwhile, the defeat brought an end to the Southeast Asians’ impressive continental outing as they bowed out of the tournament with their heads held high and reputation unquestionably enhanced.

China had never lost to Thailand in 13 previous meetings, and it was the East Asians who looked the brighter of the two teams early on with a fierce Gu Yasha drive forcing goalkeeper Waraporn Boonsing into a smart save.

Thailand responded through a dipping Nipawan Panyosuk shot which custodian Peng Shimeng did well to tip over, before Song came close to giving China the lead courtesy of a superb volley that flashed narrowly wide of Waraporn’s left-hand post on 15 minutes.

With China continuing to press, influential midfielder Wang Shuang saw her 36th minute strike from 12 yards comfortably gathered by Waraporn and, in the final genuine chance of the half, tournament leading scorer Li Ying’s scuffed effort from close-range was once again held by the impressive Waraporn.

 

With China PR, Thailand, Australia and Japan already assured of their tickets to France 2019, the Koreans, who finished third in Group B to miss out on automatic qualification, proved too strong for their Southeast Asian opponents as Cho scored twice to ensure a rousing finale to her side’s continental campaign.

“I think it was definitely better that we had to play against very strong teams, matches in which we performed very well,” said Cho, a member of the Korea Republic squad which competed at the last World Cup in Canada.

“I believe those matches against Australia and Japan in the group stage certainly made us stronger (as the competition progressed), and the game against the Philippines, who along with Vietnam are certainly improving, was another great test for us. 

“I would like to say a big thanks to my teammates who did their absolute best in this game and throughout the tournament.”