Credit: Tung Manh Phan

Richie Mills

Sun 15 March 2026 10:10, UK

Riko Ueki’s super-sub credentials were enhanced again as the West Ham United star scored in Japan’s rout of the Philippines in the Asian Cup.

Ueki bagged her first start of the tournament in a 4-0 victory over Vietnam on Tuesday as Japan topped Group C with a 100 per cent winning record.

The West Ham forward scored a lovely cushioned header in that win, days after coming off the bench and scoring a second-half hat-trick against India.

Japan head coach Nils Nielsen opted to start an attack of Kiko Seike and Mina Tanaka against the Philippines, with the latter scoring in their 7-0 quarter-final rout on Sunday.

And just moments after coming on, Ueki scored her fifth goal of the tournament as Japan set up a tantalising semi-final tie with South Korea.

Riko Ueki’s Golden Boot chase going down to the wire

Ueki was an unused substitute in Japan’s tournament opener against Chinese Taipei, a game they won 2-0 on 4 March.

Ueki has since been lethal in front of goal, scoring five times in just three appearances – just one of which has been as a starter.

Just to showcase how clinical she can be, the 26-year-old was introduced in the 89th minute for Tanaka and a minute later, she powered a header into the corner to round off the scoring.

That means she is now the 2026 Asian Cup’s joint top scorer with Australia’s Alanna Kennedy heading into the last four.

However, the West Ham ace has predominantly been a substitute, whereas Kennedy has started all of Australia’s matches in this competition.

If tournament favourites Japan want to lift this trophy, Ueki may be their ace in the hole. But it will only get tougher from here on in.

Ueki was the WE League’s Golden Boot winner in 2023, but she has never topped the pile at a major international tournament in the goalscoring charts.

But she has a chance to do that at this year’s Asian Cup.

Ueki’s stunning impact at Asian Cup

Ueki has been an important player for West Ham since signing from Tokyo Verdy Beleza in September 2023.

In her first season, she scored seven times in all competitions and to date, Ueki has 16 goals in 75 games for the Women’s Super League side.

Her record for Japan is a bit more impressive, scoring 17 goals in 49 caps for her country. Before 2026, her best goalscoring rate for Japan came back in 2022 when she netted eight times in 11 games.

Now, though, it seems she is in the form of her life. Although Ueki is not playing a great deal of football at the Asian Cup, her impact cannot be denied.

She is averaging a goal every 21.2 minutes, which may tempt Nielsen to start her in their crunch clash with South Korea on Wednesday.

Incidentally, West Ham return to WSL action on Wednesday night when they host title challengers Manchester United. Ueki is unlikely to return for her club until 29 March when they take on London City Lionesses.

The Hammers are just two points above the relegation zone and will hope Ueki can continue her strong form for them soon.