Credit: Tung Manh Phan

Richie Mills

Wed 18 March 2026 14:10, UK

West Ham United star Riko Ueki continued her phenomenal scoring rate at the Asian Cup as Japan routed South Korea 4-1 to set up a final with Australia.

Japan had waltzed into the semi-finals of the competition, scoring a remarkable 24 goals and conceding none before facing South Korea.

Nils Nielsen’s side looked set to continue that astonishing free-scoring run when they went 3-0 up through Ueki, Maika Hamano, and Saki Kumagai.

National team head coach Nielsen did not look best pleased, however, when Kang Chae-Rim scored 12 minutes from time to end Japan’s perfect defensive record.

But Remina Chiba’s goal nine minutes from time sent a dominant Japan into the final, where they will take on tournament hosts Australia on Saturday.

In addition to silverware, West Ham’s Ueki can achieve a bit of personal history in their next match, too.

Riko Ueki to face West Ham teammate in final

Ueki has been Japan’s not-so-secret weapon at this year’s tournament, with the forward currently leading the scoring charts.

Thanks to her cool finish against South Korea, she took her tally to six in just four appearances, with a meagre two of those coming as starts.

The 26-year-old was an unused substitute in Japan’s tournament opener against Chinese Taipei, before scoring a second-half hat-trick off the bench against India.

After getting on the scoresheet against the Philippines in the quarter-finals, Ueki was on hand to get the ball rolling for Japan on Wednesday.

She can now look forward to facing off against West Ham teammate Katrina Gorry, as her Australian side edged past China 2-1 in the other semi-final.

They will have to put their friendship aside when they lock horns at Stadium Australia in Sydney.

This is the final many predicted, and now football fans can look forward to a tantalising showdown between these two heavyweights.

Ueki in pole position for Golden Boot

Ueki has six goals in just four matches, whereas Australia’s Alanna Kennedy has five so far, but she has started every game for the Matildas.

Despite her phenomenal scoring rate, there is no guarantee Ueki, who is aiming for the golden boot, will start up front for Japan as they aim for their first Asian Cup since 2018.

The Japanese beat Australia in that final in Jordan eight years ago, and Ueki and co will hope for a repeat this time round.

So far this tournament, she has six goals and one assist, all in 174 minutes of football.

Ueki is now one goal away from tying with the competition’s historic top scorers, which includes the likes of Australia’s Sam Kerr in 2022, compatriot Yuki Nagasato in 2006, and China’s Li Ying in 2018.

A brace in the final will set a new goalscoring record in the Asian Cup, as nobody has scored eight in this tournament before, but Ueki may just settle for lifting the trophy on Saturday.