🏏 Sat, 21 Mar 2026 20:00 AEDT
Japan Women
vs
Australia
Positions estimated (no formation data from the API)
Substitutes
Substitutes
Match Preview
- Japan's midfield is built around their Europe-based core. Fuka Nagano, the 27-year-old two-footed anchor, drops between the centre-backs to help build play and picks out vertical passes with excellent judgement. Ahead of her, Yui Hasegawa stands just 155cm tall yet is one of the WSL's finest technicians, and her ball-winning has developed sharply since joining Manchester City.
- Australia's midfield is no less experienced. Gorry, 33 and only 155cm, has been a fixture in the national side for years, while the left-footed Cooney-Cross, 24, takes responsibility for distribution. Whoever controls the centre against Hasegawa and Nagano will effectively dictate the tempo of the contest.
- Japan's attacking selection is strikingly young. Hinata Miyazawa, 26, the golden boot winner at the 2023 World Cup, attacks the half-spaces from the left, alongside 22-year-old Aoba Fujino, who moved from Beleza to Manchester City in 2024, and 21-year-old Maika Hamano, whose path has run from INAC Kobe through Chelsea to Tottenham.
- Riko Ueki leads the line. The 26-year-old striker won the WE League golden boot at Nippon TV Tokyo Verdy Beleza before a permanent move to West Ham in 2023, and she was the inaugural winner of the club's WSL Young Hammer of the Year award. She faces a back line featuring 175cm Kennedy, 31, and 24-year-old Heatley, so her instinct in the box will be crucial.
- Japan's defence mixes eras. Saki Kumagai, 35, won the 2011 World Cup and back-to-back Champions League titles at Lyon after spells with Frankfurt, Bayern Munich and Roma. Beside her is 21-year-old Toko Koga, who signed a four-year deal with Tottenham in 2025 after establishing herself at Feyenoord and was named player of the match on debut, with Urawa's Hana Takahashi, 24, also involved.
- Australia field three forwards. Kerr, the 32-year-old No. 20, is joined by 23-year-old Fowler, who at 173cm offers a different physical profile, and by Foord, 31, on the right. All three have been central to this national team for years, and Japan's defenders must expect moments of individual quality.
- Both sides trust experienced full-backs. Australia have Carpenter, 25, on the right and the left-footed Catley, 32 and 171cm, on the other flank. Japan's Hikaru Kitagawa, 28, began her overseas career at BK Hacken in Sweden after INAC Kobe and joined Everton in 2025, marking her debut with a goal from distance.
- The goalkeeping contrast is notable. Japan's Ayaka Yamashita is 170cm, small for the position, but her reflexes, positioning and comfort in possession make her a genuinely modern keeper; she has been at Manchester City since 2024. Australia counter with Arnold, 32 and 181cm, an 11cm difference that could tell when the ball is delivered high into the box.
- Japan's bench is loaded with goalscorers. Takako Seike, 29, completed a WE League treble of golden boot, MVP and team of the season before scoring a hat-trick on her WSL debut for Brighton. Momoko Tanikawa, 22 and equally comfortable on either foot, scored in three consecutive Bundesliga games for Bayern, and Remina Chiba, 26, once struck a hat-trick within four minutes of coming on for Frankfurt.
- There is more in reserve. Mami Matsukubo, 21, was named NWSL midfielder of the year after starting all 26 league games and finishing third in the scoring charts with 11 goals, including the youngest hat-trick in league history. Moeka Minami, 27, who won consecutive Serie A titles with Roma, and 31-year-old striker Mina Tanaka complete a deep set of options.