The CommBank Junior Matildas have been defeated by Japan 5-0 in the final group stage game of the AFC U-17 Women's Asian Cup China 2026™.
Previous results, along with India's victory over Lebanon, mean that the team have finished second in Group B and have qualified for the quarter-finals. They will take on Vietnam for a place in the semi-finals, and the winner will qualify for the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup 2026™.
Head Coach Michael Cooper made six changes to the team that drew 1-1 with Lebanon in the previous fixture. Annabelle Croll came in between the sticks, while Liana Luong, Kaya Jugovic, Leyla Hussein, Maeve Nicholas and Tyra Bagiante came into the starting eleven. Maeve Nicholas wore the captain's armband.
Annabelle Croll showed her class early, pulling off a wonderful save full stretch to her right in the third minute.
Unfortunately, her efforts were unable to hold out Japan for long. Mei Hanashiro scored an early brace. The first was a header from a corner, the second a tidy finish from a ball in behind. Mino Tamamura scored Japan's third before half-time after a lovely passing move.
Australia's best chance of the half came through Maeve Nicholas, who had a shot at the back post blocked. The resulting corner required a good save from Japan's goalkeeper.
Half-time saw a triple substitution for Australia. On came Jada Taylor, Mary Dal Broi and Harper Pell, replacing Tyra Bagiante, Tehyra Aspland and Sakura Leong.
Japan scored their fourth in the 52nd minute. Nanami Kurita got on the end of a well worked move, tucking away the finish from close range.
Izabella Rako was introduced ten minutes later, replacing Leyla Hussein.
The fifth for Nadeshiko came from a well worked set piece in the 73rd minute, with Rara Higuchi getting the final touch. That goal led to another change for Australia with Matilda Dias Wadewitz replacing Kaya Jugovic.
While the result was disappointing, all attention now turns to the knockout stages where the winner in the quarter-final advances through the tournament and has the chance to participate at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup 2026™.
Match Summary
Japan U-17: 5 (Mei Hanashiro 16', 22', Mino Tamamura 35', Nanami Kruita 52', Rara Higuchi 73')
Australia U-17: 0
Australia U-17: 1. Annabelle Croll (GK), 3. Charlotte Bradshaw, 4. Keira Sarris, 5. Liana Luong, 6. Frida Karaberis, 8. Kaya Jugovic (11. Matilda Dias Wadewitz 74'), 10. Leyla Hussein (9. Izabella Rako 63'), 13. Maeve Nicholas, 15. Tyra Bagiante (19. Harper Pell 46'), 16. Tehya Aspland (17. Mary Dal Broi 46'), 20. Sakura Leong (14. Jada Taylor 46')
Unused substitutes: 12. Alyse Oppedisano (GK), 18. Dali Gorr Burchmore (GK), 23. Abbie Puckett, 2. Willa Pearson, 7. Claire Corbett, 21. Theo Mouithys Mickalad
Japan U-17: 23. Kou Kadowaki (GK), 2. Wara Shimizu, 5. Misato Maeda (3. Anri Ito 46'), 6. Misaya Takeda, 8. Harura Matsushita (4. Rei Kitamura 46'), 10. Arisu Ota, 14. Mei Hanashiro (7. Rara Higuchi 46'), 17. Mino Tamamura, 19. Yumi Hayashi, 20. Nanami Kurita (9. Yuzuha Ikeda 68'), 22. Akina Masaki (21. Asuka Tanaka 79')
Unused substitutes: 1. Mikan Yamanaka (GK), 12. Ayaka Miyaji (GK), 11. Futaba Noda, 13. Runa Sumiya, 15. Keiko Kitajima, 16. Maho Kubota, 18. Mashiro Yamaji
AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup 2026
CommBank Junior Matildas 2:0 India
Date: Saturday, 2 May 2026
Venue: Suzhou Taihu Football Sports Centre
Lebanon 1:1 CommBank Junior Matildas
Date: Tuesday, 5 May 2026
Venue: Suzhou Taihu Football Sports Centre
Japan 5:0 CommBank Junior Matildas
Date: Friday, 8 May 2026
Venue: Suzhou Taihu Football Sports Centre