Japan beats New Zealand 2-1 to win Kirin Cup, first title since 2011
Version 2: The result is unchanged; later reports added post-match comments from Moriyasu, Doan and Maeda, Ueda's remarks after being named MVP, and further detail on Japan's first start with a back four in about two and a half years.
In short
Japan won the Kirin Cup 2026 by beating New Zealand 2-1 in the final at Tokyo's National Stadium on October 5, with Ueda Ayase scoring in the 28th minute and Doan Ritsu netting the winner in the 71st. It was Japan's 12th title and their first since 2011, in the tournament's first edition in four years. The game was coach Moriyasu Hajime's last on home soil before he leaves after the Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia.
Read the full story 2 min read
Japan beat New Zealand 2-1 in the Kirin Cup 2026 final at Tokyo's MUFG Stadium, also known as the National Stadium, on October 5, according to match reports from Mynavi News and Livedoor News. Ueda Ayase scored in the 28th minute, Ben Old equalised in the 32nd and Doan Ritsu scored the winner in the 71st. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 13 ]
Mainichi Shimbun and Mynavi News reported that the title was Japan's 12th and their first since 2011, while TBS NEWS DIG said the Kirin Cup was held for the first time in four years. Sankei Shimbun, Mainichi Shimbun, Asahi Shimbun and Jiji Press reported the match was coach Moriyasu Hajime's last in charge on home soil; he will leave after the Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, which most of them said opens in January, while Jiji Press said it runs January to February. [ 1 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 13 , 17 ]
Japan took the lead when Ueda finished a cross from the right following a run by Kubo Takefusa, Mynavi News and Livedoor News reported. Livedoor News said the equaliser came four minutes later, when a back-pass by Maeda Daizen was intercepted and Ben Old finished a counterattack; Mynavi News said Old converted a pass from Chris Wood. Doan scored the winner from a low cross by substitute Nakamura Keito and thanked Nakamura for “a good ball”, Mynavi News reported. [ 1 , 2 , 11 , 13 ]
Japan lined up in a 4-2-3-1. Livedoor News said it was their first start with a back four in 928 days, since a match against North Korea on March 21, 2024, and Yahoo! News headlined the same change as the first such lineup in about two and a half years. Asahi Shimbun said Japan changed five starters from the Ecuador match. Moriyasu brought on Ito Junya, Nakamura Keito and Tanaka Atsu in the 64th minute; Mynavi News said the substitutes broke the game open, and Nikkei said the back four gave Japan more attacking depth. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 13 , 15 ]
Moriyasu said the team should grow “towards becoming the world's best in the future” and that the substitutes “did a good job”, Mynavi News reported. Yahoo! News carried a headline in which Maeda said he had “broken the game” with the error that led to the equaliser. Mynavi News also reported that Ueda, who scored in four consecutive matches during the series, was named tournament MVP. [ 2 , 3 , 8 , 9 , 17 ]
Japan ended the September–October series unbeaten across four matches: a 3-1 win over Uruguay, a 2-1 win over Venezuela, a 0-0 draw with Ecuador followed by a 5-4 penalty-shootout win, and the final. Jiji Press reported Japan will face Brazil and Paraguay at an international tournament in Singapore in November. Sankei Shimbun reported Panama beat Ecuador 7-6 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the third-place match. Livedoor News was the only document to date the final to October 1. [ 2 , 5 , 6 , 13 ]
Why it matters
The win closes an unbeaten four-match September–October series ahead of November matches against Brazil and Paraguay, and gives Japan a title in coach Moriyasu Hajime's final home game before the Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia. The documents give no basis for significance beyond the team's own schedule and preparations.
Key facts
- Japan beat New Zealand 2-1 in the Kirin Cup 2026 final on October 5 at Tokyo's MUFG Stadium, also known as the National Stadium. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 13 , 14 ]
- Ueda Ayase scored in the 28th minute, New Zealand's Ben Old equalised in the 32nd and Doan Ritsu scored the winner in the 71st. [ 1 , 2 , 13 ]
- It was Japan's 12th Kirin Cup title and their first since 2011; TBS NEWS DIG said the competition was held for the first time in four years. [ 1 , 4 , 7 , 9 , 17 ]
- The match was the last home game for coach Moriyasu Hajime, who leaves after the Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia. [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 13 ]
- Japan were ranked 17th in the world and New Zealand 86th; the head-to-head record is now four Japan wins and two defeats. [ 2 , 5 , 7 , 13 ]
- Ueda scored in four consecutive matches, four goals in four games during the series, and Mynavi News reported he was named tournament MVP. [ 2 , 3 , 9 , 17 ]
- Japan finished the September–October four-match series unbeaten, including a 5-4 penalty-shootout win over Ecuador after a 0-0 draw. [ 1 , 2 , 11 , 13 ]
- Jiji Press reported Japan will play Brazil and Paraguay at an international tournament in Singapore in November. [ 6 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Japan beat New Zealand 2-1 in the Kirin Cup 2026 final at Tokyo's MUFG Stadium (National Stadium) on October 5. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 13 , 14 ]
- Japan's title was their 12th and their first since 2011. [ 1 , 4 , 7 , 9 , 17 ]
- Ueda Ayase scored Japan's first goal in the 28th minute, Ben Old equalised in the 32nd and Doan Ritsu scored the 71st-minute winner. [ 1 , 2 , 13 ]
- The final was coach Moriyasu Hajime's last home match in charge; he leaves after the Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia. [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 13 ]
- Japan were ranked 17th and New Zealand 86th, and the teams' head-to-head record is now four Japan wins and two defeats. [ 2 , 5 , 7 , 13 ]
- Japan ended the September–October four-match series unbeaten, including a penalty-shootout win over Ecuador after a 0-0 draw. [ 1 , 2 , 11 , 13 ]
Still unclear
- The date of the final Livedoor News dates the final to October 1 and dates Japan's earlier Ecuador match to the same day; all other documents give October 5.
- When the Asian Cup ends Sankei Shimbun, Mainichi Shimbun and Asahi Shimbun say the tournament opens in January in Saudi Arabia and that Moriyasu leaves after it, while Jiji Press says it runs January to February.
- Whether Ueda Ayase was named tournament MVP Reported only by Mynavi News; no other document mentions an MVP award.
- That Moriyasu signed an unusual six-month contract after the World Cup Stated only by Mynavi News, with no other document describing the terms of his deal.
- Japan started the final with a back four for the first time in about two and a half years, with Livedoor News putting the gap at 928 days. Reported by a single source so far
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Mynavi News publishes a match report on Japan's 2-1 win over New Zealand, with Ueda and Doan scoring and Moriyasu's substitutions named. [ 1 ]
- Livedoor News publishes its report, noting Japan's first back-four start in 928 days. [ 2 ]
- TBS NEWS DIG and Yahoo! News report the win; TBS NEWS DIG notes the Kirin Cup was held for the first time in four years and that it was Moriyasu's last domestic match. [ 3 , 4 ]
- Sankei Shimbun reports the win and Panama's 7-6 penalty-shootout victory over Ecuador in the third-place match. [ 5 ]
- Jiji Press reports the result and Japan's November fixtures against Brazil and Paraguay in Singapore. [ 6 ]
- Mainichi Shimbun reports Japan's 12th title, their first since 2011. [ 7 ]
- Asahi Shimbun reports Japan ended the four-match series with four wins, including the penalty-shootout win over Ecuador. [ 13 ]
- Mynavi News publishes Ueda's comments after his fourth goal in four matches and the reported MVP award. [ 17 ]