Image Credits: Imago Images
Wherever they go, Liverpool players leave their mark, and this time, it was on the continental stage.
Liverpool have two of their players returning as champions of Asia after Japan women’s national football team defeated Australia women’s national football team 1–0 in the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup final on March 21.
The final took place in front of a record-breaking crowd of 74,397 at Stadium Australia, as Japan secured their third continental title with another narrow win over the hosts.
The breakthrough came early in the game through Maika Hamano, whose 17th-minute strike proved decisive despite sustained pressure from Australia for the remainder of the match.
In the middle of Japan’s success were Liverpool representatives Fuka Nagano and Risa Shimizu, both of whom played key roles across the tournament.
Nagano featured for the full 90 minutes in the final and was influential throughout the competition, finishing with two assists in four appearances.
Her energy and pressing were especially important in the semi-final win over South Korea.
Shimizu, although an unused substitute in the final, made her mark earlier in the tournament.
She also registered two assists in four appearances, including a standout contribution in the 7–0 quarter-final victory.
This latest triumph continues a familiar pattern, with Japan once again defeating Australia 1–0 in the final, repeating the results of 2014 and 2018 to reclaim their place at the top of Asian football.
Both players are now expected to return to Merseyside following celebrations, with Liverpool set to welcome them back ahead of the final stretch of the Women’s Super League campaign.
Want to get the latest Liverpool news direct to your phone? Join our WhatsApp community by clicking here.
