🏏 Sun, 15 Mar 2026 16:00 AEDT
Japan Women
vs
Philippines
Positions estimated (no formation data from the API)
Substitutes
Substitutes
Match Preview
- The Asian Cup reaches the knockout rounds. Japan, who played all three group games at HBF Park in Perth, switch to the Accor Stadium in Sydney for a quarter-final against the Philippines, with the winner facing a semi-final on 18 March. Japan have reshuffled the starting eleven, leaving Saki Kumagai and Ayaka Yamashita on the bench and handing the gloves to 29-year-old Chika Hirao.
- Hirao is a 173cm goalkeeper who came through the JFA Academy Fukushima and built her career at Urawa Reds Ladies and Albirex Niigata Ladies before joining Granada CF in Spain's Liga F in 2025. Her height helps her deal with crosses and she is comfortable in possession. The Philippines start No. 18 N. Meollo in goal, with 28-year-old O. McDaniel, 172cm, among the substitutes.
- Japan's central defensive pairing mixes eras. Moeka Minami, 27 and 171cm, grew up at Urawa Reds Ladies, won back-to-back Serie A titles with Roma after her 2022 move and was named in the league's team of the season, before joining Brighton in 2025. Alongside her, 21-year-old Toko Koga established herself at Feyenoord, signed a four-year contract with Tottenham in 2025 and was named player of the match on debut.
- Both full-backs are 29 and vastly experienced. Risa Shimizu, 157cm, began her career as a forward before converting to right-back, and moved on loan from Manchester City to Liverpool in 2025. On the other side, Miyabi Moriya is another JFA Academy Fukushima graduate who was converted from centre-back to wing-back at INAC Kobe; she now plays for the Utah Royals after a spell with Angel City, and her running power up and down the flank is her trademark.
- Yui Hasegawa is the constant in midfield. The 29-year-old, only 155cm tall, started all three group matches and again takes her place in the centre; she is one of the WSL's most refined technicians and has added genuine ball-winning since joining Manchester City. Next to her, Honoka Hayashi, 27, moved from West Ham to Everton and scored the goal that ended champions Chelsea's unbeaten run. The Philippines line up with 33-year-old J. Sawicki, 158cm, and 25-year-old K. Hawkinson, 168cm.
- Japan's wide players both carry goal threat. On the right, Takako Seike, 29, spent her whole domestic career at Urawa Reds Ladies, completing a personal treble of WE League golden boot, MVP and team of the season, then scored a hat-trick on her WSL debut after joining Brighton in 2024. On the left, Hinata Miyazawa, 26, was the golden boot winner at the 2023 World Cup and thrives on finding space and playing quickly.
- Mina Tanaka leads the line. The 31-year-old striker, 164cm, scored prolifically for Nippon TV Tokyo Verdy Beleza and INAC Kobe, gained European experience at Bayer Leverkusen and now plays for the Utah Royals in the NWSL. Her drifting runs into the half-spaces and quality as a target are central to Japan's structure, with 22-year-old Aoba Fujino, who joined Manchester City from Beleza in 2024, arriving from deeper positions.
- Japan's bench is loaded with players held back for later rounds. Saki Kumagai, 35, won the 2011 World Cup and consecutive Champions League titles at Lyon. Ayaka Yamashita, 30, is Manchester City's goalkeeper. Fuka Nagano, 27, is a two-footed anchor who has scored at Anfield for Liverpool, and Riko Ueki, 26, became a regular centre-forward at West Ham in her first season there.
- The Philippines have a broad age range in reserve. K. Guillou, 32 and 157cm, S. Eggesvik, 28 and 173cm, and C. McDaniel, 28 and 168cm, provide the experience, while 18-year-old J. Guy is also involved. Their back line features 26-year-old J. Cowart at 176cm and 31-year-old H. Long at 170cm, so set pieces at both ends will be worth watching.