Credit: Imago and Tottenham

Richie Mills

Fri 20 March 2026 14:10, UK

Tottenham Women have wished Asian Cup stars Maika Hamano, Toko Koga and Clare Hunt well ahead of Japan and Australia’s showpiece final.

Tournament hosts Australia are gunning for their first Asian Cup title since 2010, with the Matildas losing in the final to Japan in 2014 and 2018.

While Australia are seeking their second Asian Cup crown, Japan are after their third on Saturday at Stadium Australia in Sydney.

Japan are the favourites but tens of thousands of Aussie fans will try to make the difference for Joe Montemurro’s side. Japan’s Hamano and Koga, and Australia’s Hunt may all start in the final, with the trio set to briefly put friendships aside.

As Tottenham prepare for a clash with Manchester City on Saturday lunchtime in the Women’s Super League, Spurs fans may be keeping a watchful eye on events 10,000 miles away.

Show-stopping Japan vs Australia final nears

Hunt has started all five of Australia’s games in their run to the final, with the Tottenham ace anchoring her country’s defence well.

Fellow defender Koga has been in and out of the team, while adding two goals in the quarter-final against the Philippines. And forward Hamano also has two goals of her own, in an attack that has scored a remarkable 28 goals this tournament.

Japan have conceded just one goal in their run to the final and topped their group with relative ease.

Things haven’t been as plain sailing for Australia, as they came second in Group A behind South Korea and have won three games by a margin of one goal.

One player Australia will have to look out for is Golden Boot contender West Ham forward Riko Ueki, who has scored six goals in just four games.

The Aussies do have Alanna Kennedy and Sam Kerr as a potent attacking line-up, with the pair contributing a combined nine goals this tournament.

But Kiko Seike has four of her own, and Hinata Miyazawa has scored three goals as well.

Australia sit 15th in the world rankings, whereas Japan are sixth. This should be an intriguing clash between two heavyweights.

What next for Martin Ho’s Tottenham?

Tottenham had an outside chance of qualifying for next season’s Champions League after sitting fifth in the WSL heading into last Sunday’s clash with Everton.

But Tottenham’s disappointing 2-1 home loss against Everton means they are now six points behind third-placed Manchester United with five games to go.

Their European hopes have most likely been dashed, and now they are preparing for a brutal run of fixtures.

Indeed, they still have to play three of the top four, starting with league leaders Manchester City on Saturday.

Martin Ho has done a superb job so far at Spurs but this stretch will really test his managerial credentials.

Incidentally, their Asian Cup contingent may be back for the North London Derby against Arsenal on 28 March.