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Nadeshiko, Nielsen part ways

Thu, 02 Apr, 2026

Nadeshiko, Nielsen part ways

Kuala Lumpur: The Japan Football Association announced on Thursday that Nils Nielsen’s contract as head coach of the women’s national team will not be renewed. 

The Dane steered Japan to the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ title, defeating Australia 1-0 in the final.

Japan remain Asia’s top side

Thu, 02 Apr, 2026

Japan remain Asia’s top side

Kuala Lumpur: The latest FIFA World Ranking released on Wednesday saw Japan strengthen their position as the highest-ranked team in Asia.

Their superb 1-0 win against England at Wembley moved Hajime Moriyasu’s side a spot higher to 18th.

Moriyasu: Beating England a boost to Japan's confidence

Wed, 01 Apr, 2026

Moriyasu: Beating England a boost to Japan's confidence

London: Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu said his team's historic 1-0 win against England on Tuesday would give them the confidence to make a major impact at the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Kaoru Mitoma's composed finish in the first half of the friendly at Wembley condemned England to their first ever defeat at the hands of an Asian nation.

After two losses and a draw in three previous meetings dating back to 1995, Japan were finally able to savour a victory over England on a memorable evening for Moriyasu's side.

Preview - Group C: Japan v India

Thu, 02 Apr, 2026

Preview - Group C: Japan v India

Thammasat: Japan head coach Ijiri Akira has refused to take India lightly as the two sides prepare to face off in Group C of the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup Thailand 2026™ at the Thammasat Stadium on Thursday.

Six-time champions, Japan finished as runners-up in the 2024 edition and are up against a side returning to the competition for the first time in 20 years, and yet Ijiri dismissed any suggestion of complacency among the young Nadeshiko.

Japan stun England; wins for Australia, IR Iran

Wed, 01 Apr, 2026

Japan stun England; wins for Australia, IR Iran

Kuala Lumpur: Japan made history with their first ever win against England as Kaoru Mitoma sealed a 1-0 victory in Tuesday's international friendly at Wembley.

There were also wins for fellow FIFA World Cup-bound Australia and Islamic Republic of Iran. Jordan played to a draw with Nigeria while Korea Republic and Saudi Arabia suffered defeats.

#AWCL - Finals set to be a sizzler

Sun, 29 Mar, 2026

#AWCL - Finals set to be a sizzler

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Women’s Champions League 2025/26™ is primed for an exciting conclusion following the completion of the last eight stage on Sunday.

The four teams will now set their eyes on the centralised Finals, with the semi-finals to take place on May 20 and the final three days later, with all three ties single leg affairs.

Patient Tokyo Verdy get their reward

Sun, 29 Mar, 2026

Patient Tokyo Verdy get their reward

Tokyo: Naoki Kusunose applauded his players for staying focused after Tokyo Verdy Beleza cruised to a 5-0 win against Stallion Laguna FC in their AFC Women’s Champions League 2025/26™ quarter-final on Saturday.

Having suffered elimination at the same stage last season with Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies, the 61-year-old Kusunose was delighted to overcome the hurdle in his second attempt after a controlled performance from the reigning Japan WE League champions.

#U20WAC - Know your Group C teams

Sun, 29 Mar, 2026

#U20WAC - Know your Group C teams

Bangkok: The AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup Thailand 2026™ kicks off on Wednesday with 12 teams hoping to lift the trophy.

The race for the title promises to be intense and ahead of the 12th edition of the tournament kicking off, the-AFC.com shines the spotlight on the Group C cast.

QF: Tokyo Verdy Beleza (JPN) 5-0 Stallion Laguna FC (PHI)

Sat, 28 Mar, 2026

QF: Tokyo Verdy Beleza (JPN) 5-0 Stallion Laguna FC (PHI)

Tokyo: Tokyo Verdy Beleza eased into the semi-finals of the AFC Women’s Champions League 2025/26™ on Saturday with a comfortable 5-0 win over Stallion Laguna from the Philippines moving the Japanese side into the last four.

Moka Hiwatari broke the visitors’ resistance in the 41st minute while Nanmi Kitamura and Hikaro Naomoto added to the advantage of Naoki Kusunose’s side with goals in the 48th and 71st minutes respectively.

Miyu Matsunaga hit her side’s the fourth in the 82nd minute and Rihona Ujihara stroked the fifth home with four minutes remaining and the WE League side will take on Melbourne City FC from Australia or PFC Nasaf of Uzbekistan in the semi-finals, which will be played on May 20.

Preview - QF: Tokyo Verdy Beleza (JPN) v Stallion Laguna FC (PHI)

Sat, 28 Mar, 2026

Preview - QF: Tokyo Verdy Beleza (JPN) v Stallion Laguna FC (PHI)

Tokyo: Tokyo Verdy Beleza will start as favourites when they host Stallion Laguna FC in their AFC Women’s Champions League 2025/26™ quarter-final on Saturday.

Japan's Tokyo Verdy impressed in the group stage while Stallion Laguna of the Philippines showed resilience in advancing to the quarter-finals.

East Asia Wrap: Chengdu held but stay top; Kashima extend lead; Seoul hit five

Sun, 22 Mar, 2026

East Asia Wrap: Chengdu held but stay top; Kashima extend lead; Seoul hit five

Tokyo: Chengdu Rongcheng dropped points for the first time this season but remain top of the Chinese Super League, while Kashima Antlers tightened their grip on Group A in Japan with another strong week.

In Korea Republic, FC Seoul surged to the summit with a dominant win, while Kitchee SC continued their control in Hong Kong. The-AFC.com reviews the past week's domestic action across East Asia.

Shaikh Salman hails Australia 2026 as Japan seals third Asian crown

Sun, 22 Mar, 2026

Shaikh Salman hails Australia 2026 as Japan seals third Asian crown

Kuala Lumpur: Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President, Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, has extended his warmest congratulations to Japan after the Nadeshiko defeated Australia 1-0 to secure their third AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ title following a spectacular Final at Stadium Australia on Saturday.

The tournament concluded on a historic note in front of yet another record-breaking 74,397 crowd, marking the third occasion a new fan attendance record was set across the 21-day football festival, and further cementing this edition as the most attended in the competition's history with total turnout surpassing the 350,000 mark.