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#AWCL | Semi-final: Melbourne City FC (AUS) 1-3 Tokyo Verdy Beleza (JPN)

S-final: Tokyo Verdy stay on course for glory

Suwon: Tokyo Verdy Beleza of Japan stayed in the hunt for continental glory after defeating Australia's Melbourne City FC 3-1 in their AFC Women’s Champions League 2025/26 semi-final on Wednesday.
Two goals from Yuzuho Shiokoshi and one from Miharu Shinjo earned Naoki Kusunose’s side a spot in Saturday’s final against DPR Korea's Naegohyang Women’s FC, who beat Suwon FC Women of Korea Republic 2-1 in the other last four tie.
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Tokyo Verdy adapted quicker to the wet conditions at the Suwon Sports Complex, taking the lead in the fourth minute when Miharu Shinjo’s cross from the right found Shino Matsuda, who squared for Shiokoshi to steer the ball home from close range.
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The right flank was proving to be a great outlet for the Japanese side as they doubled their advantage in the 10th minute from yet another cross from the same side, Shiokoshi guiding Momoka Honda’s delivery onto the post with Shinjo the quickest to react as she tapped in the rebound.
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Aideen Keane had a couple of forceful runs on the left as Melbourne overcame the early shock and began to find their rhythm and the improvement saw them reducing the deficit in the 36th minute.

Leticia McKenna’s corner delivery reached Rebekah Stott at the back post, with the captain speculatively firing the ball into the middle of the area with Keane perfectly placed to flick home as Melbourne pulled themselves back into the tie.

S-final: Melbourne City FC (AUS) v Tokyo Verdy Beleza (JPN)

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It was a much more cagey affair after the break with Keane going close in the 63rd minute, planting a firm header from McKenna’s corner delivery wide of the post as Melbourne hunted for the equaliser.

Malena Garcia, however, had to be sure with her handling of the slippery ball in the 70th minute as the Melbourne custodian saved Rin Sumida’s powerful strike from outside the box.

A deflected McKenna free-kick then landed kindly in the path of Keane, who from a tight angle, could only send the ball across the face of the goal.
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Having had to withstand Melbourne pressure for much of the half, Tokyo Verdy confirmed victory against the run of play in the 78th minute when Tamami Aso’s long range attempt bounced off the surface with Garcia's parry landing directly at Shiokoshi, who accepted the invitation to slot home the ball to send the East Asian side through to the final.

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