Mixed emotions as SheBelieves Cup concludes | OneFootball

It was a night of mixed emotions for our City representatives at the SheBelieves Cup as the 2025 tournament came to a conclusion.

Ayaka Yamashita, Yui Hasegawa and Aoba Fujino all played the full 90 minutes as Japan sealed the trophy with a famous 2-1 win over the United States of America.

Meanwhile, Mary Fowler played the final 25 minutes in Australia’s narrow 2-1 defeat to Colombia in the first match of the evening.

Wendy Bonilla broke the deadlock for the South American nation in the 15th minute – a lead they would hold until half-time.

However, former Blues winger Hayley Raso equalised in the 69th minute – shortly after Fowler had entered the field of play.

With the match finely balanced, it was Colombia who secured three points as Catalina Usme restored their lead with just over 15 minutes remaining in the contest at Snapdragon Stadium.

It meant Australia finished fourth in the table, three points behind Colombia in third.

The decider was up next as Japan and hosts USA battled for SheBelieves glory with both nations sitting on six points heading into the final fixture of this year’s competition.

Yuka Momiki broke the deadlock for Nils Nielsen’s side inside the second minute, but Emma Hayes’ team equalised soon after through Ally Sentnor.

Honours were even at the break, but Toko Koga regained Japan’s lead five minutes after the restart before Nadeshiko delivered a heroic defensive display to secure top spot at the SheBelieves Cup.

It represents their first triumph in the prestigious competition.