'Very lucky' Japan coach Nielsen says Asian Cup long awaited and well deserved

[p]His talented team proved untouchable in reaching Saturday's final, but were pushed all the way by the Matildas with Maika Hamano's long-range 17th minute strike all that separated them in front of more than 74,000 fans in Sydney.[/p][p]"[b]I'm very lucky to be working with players that are that good,[/b]" said Nielsen, a former [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/denmark/W0rDArJ8/"]Denmark[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/switzerland/SnKLy1MU/"]Switzerland[/a] coach who has been at the helm since late 2024.[/p][p]"[a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/japan/ltLyWcnC/"]Japan[/a] can be an inspiration for many in some ways. We can find a style that fits our players because they are talented.[/p][p]"[b]We couldn't find our own rhythm but the character of the players, the way they never stop playing, makes us 10-20 percent better.[/b][/p][p]"It's nice to be good, it's nice to be charming but if you don't win the tournament, it doesn't count," he added.[/p][p]"[b]We didn't play as well as we could have but they still made it count. It's been too long since Japan last won a trophy so it was very important and well-deserved.[/b]"[/p][p]As world number six, Japan were favourites despite being in front of a partisan crowd willing on an Australian side desperate for their first trophy since the 2010 tournament.[/p][p]It could have gone either way.[/p][embed guid="39aa9ea9-705d-48cb-9caa-3812412f9742" url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VBDzq3OQc8" social-type="youtube" /][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/arsenal/8CKOoQdn/"]Arsenal[/a]'s Caitlin Foord had three clear-cut chances for the hosts, and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/australia/YXMhvJho/"]Australia[/a] peppered the Japanese goal in the last 15 minutes searching for an equaliser.[/p][p]But Nielsen's side clung on with some back-to-the-wall defence to earn a third continental title after winning in 2014 and 2018 -- both also against Australia and by the same scoreline.[/p][p]Nielsen was gracious in his praise of Joe Montemurro's battling side.[/p][p]"[b]Australia are a world-class team with world-class players. They were led well by Joe who always had something up his sleeves,[/b]" he said.[/p][p]"[b]We had a brilliant goal thanks to Maika. She's a talented youngster who's on the way up.[/b]"[/p][p]Montemurro said it has been "an excellent journey" for his squad despite the bitter defeat as they now look ahead to the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.[/p][p]"[b]I've got 26 warriors out there that for 21 days have been absolutely fantastic,[/b]" he said.[/p][p]"Sometimes things fall for you, sometimes they don't. But I think for us, this has been an excellent journey. We played top teams, and that's what we wanted.[/p][p]"[b]We solidified 'us' as a footballing team, and what we mean," he added. "We now have to start looking forward, and I'll try to keep the belief going.[/b]"[/p][embed guid="b1e3be75-b3a2-4690-85b8-7c52960cc345" url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XP0m1_RfxK0" social-type="youtube" /]