Japan axe coach Nielsen 12 days after winning Women's Asian Cup

Greenlander Nielsen led a rampant Japan to their third Asian title in four tournaments, beating hosts Australia 1-0 in the final in Sydney on March 21. The 54-year-old had been in the job since December 2024 and was the first foreign-born coach of the Japan women's team. The Japan Football Association (JFA) said Nielsen's contract expired after the Asian Cup and the board of directors had decided not to offer him a new one. "Thinking about winning major international tournaments and weighing up various factors...