Credit: Imago, Spurs TV

Richie Mills

Sun 22 March 2026 12:50, UK Updated Sun 22 March 2026 17:05, UK

Tottenham Hotspur loanee Maika Hamano’s solitary goal secured Japan their third Asian Cup title but Australia’s Clare Hunt has picked up a worrying injury.

Hamano’s 17th-minute goal from the edge of the area secured the Japanese a 1-0 win in front of a tournament record crowd of 74,397 at Stadium Australia in Sydney.

Japan went into Saturday’s final with a record of 24 goals scored and one conceded, whereas Australia won three of their matches en route to this contest by a margin of one goal.

The Matildas matched Japan for long periods, and had some gilt-edged chances, but they were unable to avoid a third successive Asian Cup final defeat to the same opposition, after losing in 2014 and 2018.

Tottenham were strongly represented in this contest, with Hamano and Toko Koga featuring for Japan, while Hunt was an unused substitute for Australia. Now, the reason behind the defender’s absence has become clear.

Maika Hamano to receive award but Clare Hunt faces surgery

In a tight game, Hamano’s moment of quality settled an energetic and end-to-end contest between the two heavyweights.

Hamano, who joined Tottenham on loan from Chelsea in January, had an excellent tournament, scoring three goals along the way. And according to reports, she is set to be awarded the title of Honorary Citizen by her hometown, Takaishi City, Osaka. The 21-year-old is set to become the youngest recipient of the award.

And Spurs teammate Koga added two goals of her own, both of which came in Japan’s 7-0 rout of the Philippines.

It could have been very different in the final if Arsenal winger Caitlin Foord hadn’t spurned a trio of big first-half opportunities as the Aussies’ wait for an Asian Cup stretches to 16 years.

But Hamano’s strike was worthy of winning any game.

Incidentally, on Sunday, Tottenham announced that defender Hunt will need to have an operation on a knee injury.

The club’s statement reads: “We can confirm that Clare Hunt will undergo surgery on her right knee. The defender suffered the injury while on international duty for Australia in the Women’s Asian Cup last week.

“Following the procedure, she will begin her rehabilitation. Everyone at Tottenham Hotspur wishes Clare a full and speedy recovery.”

It remains to be seen if she will play again this season.

Tottenham’s strong season in danger of being undone

Tottenham headed into the international break sitting pretty in fifth after an excellent two thirds of the season.

But a disappointing 2-1 loss to Everton, followed by a 5-2 thumping defeat at Women’s Super League leaders Manchester City, has hit them hard.

At City, Tottenham were 5-1 down at half-time, thanks in no small part to a Khadija Shaw hat-trick. Spurs won the second half 1-0 but that will be scant consolation for the north London team.

Manager Martin Ho described the contest as a game of two halves but in truth, the damage was done in the opening 45 and City took their foot off the gas.

Tottenham’s fixtures don’t get any easier in the coming weeks as they face Arsenal and Manchester United in the WSL, either side of taking on Chelsea in the FA Cup quarter-finals.

After such a good season, Spurs’ balloon has somewhat been popped.