SEREMBAN (Malaysia) - Australia will look to complete their mission of securing a 'three-peat' after booking a third successive Final appearance in the FIBA U18 Women's Asia Cup 2026-Division A competitions.
But the Gems are under no illusion that it would be a walk in the park, fully aware of the challenge that awaits the powerhouse from Oceania in the form of Japan, who, like them, are undefeated in the tilt (4-0) so far.
"I think it will really be a good game," offered head coach Kristi Harrower moments after their 78-59 ouster of China in the Semi-Finals on Friday night at the Karisma Arena. "Japan, they're always up and about."
"They play hard, they play physical ... we just gotta be able to handle their pressure. And, make sure that we come out ready to play like we did today, which we will because it's a gold medal game," she furthered.
Game time of the highly anticipated championship bout is scheduled for a 19:00 local time tip-off, marking the first Final since 1990 without Team Dragon in it after getting the boot from the Aussies, as mentioned above.
So, Australia and Japan will be battling it out for the top prize for the first time, although both proud programs have known one another already.
In fact, the upcoming finale will be their third meeting overall in the biennial youth contest that's about to wrap up its 27th edition, serving as a tiebreaker of sorts as well after splitting their first two encounters.
The AKATSUKI JAPAN actually won in their first matchup convincingly, 90-77, during the 2018 Semi-Finals, before the Gems got back by hacking out a 68-63 decision two years later in the Semi-Finals as well.
Needless to say, Japan would want to earn a measure of payback, although it isn't their only source of motivation. This present batch wants to atone for the heartbreak some of them experienced in this very city last year.
A number of their players, led by star floor general Miya Takeuchi, came into Seremban hoping to bring home the gold this time after settling for third place in the FIBA U16 Women's Asia Cup 2025-Division A.
"We lost in the Semi-Finals of the U16 last year and we have three players from that team," recalled head coach Yoshikazu Suzuki. "That's one of the reasons why our players have been playing really well."
Suzuki said as much after their 80-43 demolition of Korea in the Semi-Finals, which enabled the country to punch its first appearance in the Final in nearly a decade, or since the 2018 games held in Bengaluru, India.
Reaching the title bout has also given the Japanese a chance to end an 18-year wait for a crown. The last time they won it all was in 2008 in Medan, Indonesia by beating China, with Ramu Tokashiki leading.
Given their own reasons, it sure is going to be one grind-out affair between the two to conclude the tourney, with one keen to extend their dynasty while the other hopes to end what's become a truly long drought.
Meanwhile, China and Korea will battle it out in the Third-Place Game tomorrow as well at 16:00 local time to salvage a podium finish.
Team China are coming in as the overwhelming favorites. Per available records, they've won all of their 12 meetings against Korea in this event so far, the most recent a 79-61 rout during the 2024 Semi-Finals.
FIBA