The 17th minute strike distinguished Japan from Australia in the final on Saturday, with the 21-year-old blasting home a swerving ball from the edge of the box that gave custodian Mackenzie Arnold no chance.
“I spent a lot of time watching other goals and from those that I liked, I would just train and practice how to strike the ball like what I watched,” said Hamano. .....
✨ 𝗣𝗼𝗲𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 ✨
— #WAC2026 (@afcasiancup) March 21, 2026
🇯🇵 Maika Hamano delivers a moment of magic. A strike that echoes across a nation and ignites dreams of glory!#WACFinal | #WAC2026 | #JPNvAUS pic.twitter.com/ZA7gdceg0h
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