South Korea’s first bid to reach the top of Asia ended against Japan.
The South Korea women’s national team, coached by Shin Sang-woo, lost 4-1 to Japan on March 18 in the 2026 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women’s Asian Cup semifinal at Stadium Australia in Sydney, despite a goal by Kang Chae-rim of Montreal. South Korea’s best finish at the tournament remains runner-up at the 2022 edition in India.
Japan, ranked No. 8 in the world by FIFA and the highest-ranked team in Asia, outclassed No. 21 South Korea. The loss left South Korea with a 4-12-20 record against Japan and extended its winless run to 10 matches (four draws, six losses) since a 2-1 victory at the 2015 East Asian Cup. Japan has scored 28 goals and conceded once in five matches at this tournament.
Shin left Ji So-yun (Suwon FC) on the bench and set up in a defensive 5-4-1 formation. Jeon Yu-gyeong (Molde FK) led the line, with Park Su-jeong (AC Milan), Kim Shin-ji (Rangers WFC), Jeong Min-young (Ottawa) and Moon Eun-ju (Hwacheon KSPO) in midfield. The back five featured Noh Jin-young (Mungyeong Sangmu), Ko Yu-jin (Incheon Hyundai Steel) and Kim Hye-ri centrally, with Jang Seul-gi (Gyeongju KHNP) and Chu Hyo-joo (Ottawa) as wingbacks. Goalkeeper Kim Min-jeong (Hyundai Steel) started.
Japan broke through in the 15th minute when Kim Shin-ji lost possession to Nagano Fuka and Riko Ueki finished the move. Maika Hamano made it 2-0 in the 25th after a run down the right and a tight-angle shot. South Korea replaced Jeon with Son Hwa-yeon in the 41st, and two minutes later Japan thought it had scored again through Aoba Fujino, but the goal was disallowed for a handball in the buildup.
Moon was injured and Ji came on in stoppage time of the first half. Japan had 12 shots before the break to South Korea’s three, and South Korea did not register a shot on target.
South Korea brought on Kang for Chu at the start of the second half, but Japan kept pressing. Ueki’s header hit the crossbar in the 63rd minute, and South Korea’s first corner kick came in the 67th without producing a goal. After South Korea substituted Park Hye-jeong and Choi Yu-ri for Kim Shin-ji and Jeong Min-young in the 72nd, Japan struck again: Saki Kumagai headed in from a corner in the 75th.
South Korea pulled one back in the 78th when Kang took a pass from Park Su-jeong and scored with a right-footed turning shot. It was Japan’s first goal conceded of the tournament. Japan restored its three-goal lead in the 86th when Remina Chiba scored to seal the result.
Japan will play host Australia, which beat defending champion China 2-1 the day before, in the final on March 21 at the same venue.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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