Jung Minyoung (front) of South Korea competes during the semifinal of Women's Asian Cup between Japan and South Korea in Sydney, Australia, March 18, 2026. (Photo by Hu Jingchen/Xinhua)

SYDNEY, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Title favorite Japan powered into the Women's Asian Cup final against host Australia after easing past South Korea 4-1 in Sydney on Wednesday.

Riko Ueki and Maika Hamano scored in the opening 25 minutes before Saki Kumagai headed home with 15 minutes remaining to all but seal Japan's dominant semifinal win.

With crisp passing and control throughout, Japan booked Saturday's final in Sydney against the Matildas, who edged defending champion China 2-1 on Tuesday in a tense semifinal in Perth.

Japan, the 2014 and 2018 champion, entered as the clear favorite after scoring 24 goals without conceding in its previous four matches in the tournament.

South Korea, which topped Group A ahead of Australia and then thrashed Uzbekistan 6-0 in the quarterfinals, arrived with confidence but faced a daunting task, having not beaten Japan since 2015.

Japan applied pressure from the start, with Yui Hasegawa firing wide with the goal at her mercy.

The breakthrough came in the 15th minute when Ueki beat goalkeeper Kim Min-jung, and Hamano soon doubled the lead with a superb strike.

Aoba Fujino thought she had added a third before halftime, but the goal was ruled out after a handball by Hikaru Kitagawa in the build-up.

South Korea's hopes of a comeback were further damaged when Jeon Yu-gyeong and Mun Eun-ju were both forced off injured.

Japan kept pressing for a third and found it through Kumagai, although it finally conceded when Kang Chae-rim fired in from long range.

Substitute Remina Chiba ended any doubt with Japan's fourth goal in the 81st minute.

The result means South Korea fell short of reaching back-to-back finals after finishing runner-up in 2022. ■

Fujino Aoba of Japan competes during the semifinal of Women's Asian Cup between Japan and South Korea in Sydney, Australia, March 18, 2026. (Photo by Hu Jingchen/Xinhua)

Nagano Fuka (R) of Japan vies with Mun Eunju of South Korea during the semifinal of Women's Asian Cup between Japan and South Korea in Sydney, Australia, March 18, 2026. (Photo by Hu Jingchen/Xinhua)

Kumagai Saki of Japan celebrates during the semifinal of Women's Asian Cup between Japan and South Korea in Sydney, Australia, March 18, 2026. (Photo by Hu Jingchen/Xinhua)

Members of team Japan greet the audience after the semifinal of Women's Asian Cup between Japan and South Korea in Sydney, Australia, March 18, 2026. (Photo by Hu Jingchen/Xinhua)

Players of Japan celebrate during the semifinal of Women's Asian Cup between Japan and South Korea in Sydney, Australia, March 18, 2026. (Photo by Hu Jingchen/Xinhua)

Players of Japan pose before the semifinal of Women's Asian Cup between Japan and South Korea in Sydney, Australia, March 18, 2026. (Photo by Hu Jingchen/Xinhua)

Yamashita Akaya (4th R), goalkeeper of Japan, competes during the semifinal of Women's Asian Cup between Japan and South Korea in Sydney, Australia, March 18, 2026. (Photo by Hu Jingchen/Xinhua)