Nadeshiko Japan (Japan Women's National Team) faced DPR Korea Women's National Team in the final of the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 at Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa in Shizuoka on Friday 2 October. After the match finished 2-2 following extra time, Japan prevailed 5-3 in the penalty shootout to claim their third consecutive Asian Games gold medal.

Japan made two changes to the side that started the semi-final and lined up in a 4-3-3 formation. OHBA Shu started in goal, with HAMADA Megu, ITO Juri, OHASHI Sakurako and KUWAHARA Ai forming the back four from right to left. UENO Mami played at the base of midfield, with YANASE Funa and SHIOKOSHI Yuzuho ahead of her, while NARUMIYA Yui, KAMIYA Chiina and NAKASHIMA Yoshino formed the front three.

Yanase made her first start since Japan's opening group stage match, while Ohashi was handed her first start of the tournament.

The same two sides had met in the final of the previous Asian Games, and DPR Korea made the stronger start, using their physical strength to put Japan under pressure and leave the hosts struggling to find a way forward.

Japan gradually began to turn the momentum as Yanase won a series of battles in midfield. In the 32nd minute, Kuwahara and Nakashima combined down the left before finding Yanase, who delivered a cut-back into the area. Shiokoshi met it with a shot that was blocked, but Ueno reacted to the loose ball and fired into the bottom-left corner to give Japan the lead.

DPR Korea responded strongly after the break, scoring from open play in the 47th and 69th minutes to turn the match around. They were the first goals Japan had conceded in the tournament.

Head Coach KANO Michihisa responded by introducing attacking players including NISHIO Hanon and TAKARADA Saori and pushing Hamada further forward as Japan went in search of an equaliser.

It arrived in the 86th minute. Nishio received a pass from MIZUNO Fukina on the right and drove into the right side of the penalty area before calmly finding the bottom-left corner with her right foot. The equaliser made it 2-2 and sparked a huge roar from the 6,243 spectators inside the stadium.

With the scores still level after 90 minutes, the match went into extra time. DPR Korea continued to push forward and used their energy to keep Japan under pressure, but the hosts stood firm. Ito provided some important covering at the back, while Shiokoshi dropped deep to help the defensive line. Neither side could find a winner, sending the final to a penalty shootout.

Japan went first and converted each of their penalties, beginning with Takarada. Ohba then produced a fine save to deny DPR Korea's third taker. Shiokoshi eventually stepped up for Japan's fifth penalty and calmly converted to seal a 5-3 shootout victory and a third consecutive Asian Games title.

After the match, the players took to the podium in their red TEAM JAPAN official sportswear and received their gold medals to warm applause from around the stadium.

Coach and Players' Comments

KANO Michihisa, Head Coach of Nadeshiko Japan
Our goal as a team was to win the tournament, and we've taken it one game at a time, trying to grow with every match while also showing the value of the WE League. The players kept working on the finer details and putting them into practice on the pitch. This final was the culmination of all that work, so I told them to go out there and give everything they had. We were prepared for the match to go beyond 90 minutes, into extra time and even penalties, and the players and staff fought together right to the very end. They showed tremendous determination and resilience, even when things got tough. I'm grateful to everyone involved, and I want to congratulate them on what they've achieved. We knew DPR Korea would play with great intensity, but I told the players to show the Japanese spirit on the pitch by staying patient, fighting for each other and never giving in. There were periods when we were under real pressure and things weren't going our way, but the players fought their way through those moments and kept taking on the challenge. I thought they showed tremendous character.

MF #6 YANASE Funa (Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina)
For the opening goal, Nakashima drew three defenders towards her and played the ball into the space behind them at just the right time. I was able to get there and cut it back, so I'm glad it led to the goal. DPR Korea played with a lot of intensity and their forwards were a real threat with their hold-up play, but I never felt I was losing those battles myself. I felt throughout the game that I could compete with them. Duels are one of my strengths, but I want to cover more ground defensively and also do more to support my teammates once we win the ball. This tournament also made me feel that we need to raise the intensity of our everyday training. I want to take that back to my club, share what I've learned and help us raise our level there as well.

MF #10 NARUMIYA Yui (INAC Kobe Leonessa)
I'm relieved that we were able to win the tournament. We hadn't conceded before the final, but we knew that against DPR Korea there was always a chance we would. Even after conceding twice in quick succession, we didn't panic or fall apart as a team, and I think that was really important. Even when the game wasn't going our way, we were able to score and change the momentum. I think that showed the strength of this team. There were a lot of players I'd never played with before, so at first we were still getting a feel for each other. I just wanted to play my own game and lead the players around me through the way I played. With more and more Japanese players moving overseas, I personally saw this tournament as a chance to show what the WE League has to offer. That was something I was determined to do, so I'm really pleased that we were able to come away with the title.

FW #21 NISHIO Hanon (RB Omiya Ardija WOMEN)
We were behind when I came on, and my teammates had helped me so much throughout the tournament that I went onto the pitch determined that this time I was going to be the one to make the difference. For the goal, I shouted to Yuzu-san [Shiokoshi] to leave the ball for me. Turning in that area is something I'm good at, so I knew what I wanted to do and was ready to take the shot. I could see the goalkeeper the whole way. My touch was a little heavier than I wanted, but I stayed calm, kept my eye on the goalkeeper and was able to finish. I enjoy playing in front of big crowds and in big matches, so I went on believing I could make something happen. When I go back to the WE League, I want to get on the ball more and improve the quality of my movement to create more chances for myself to score.

20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026

Tournament Period: Monday 14 September – Friday 2 October 2026
Tournament information