Japan were crowned EAFF E-1 Football Championship 2025 Final Korea Republic champions on Tuesday, defeating hosts Korea Republic 1-0 at Yong-in Mireu Stadium to successfully defend the title they also won in 2022.
Ryo Germain was the hero for the Samurai Blue, scoring the only goal of the game in the eighth minute to secure the trophy and also earn himself the MVP award to go alongside his top scorer gong.
Korea Republic almost took the lead in the seventh minute, but Na Sangho of 2025 MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE side FC Machida Zelvia saw his shot come back off the post after he cut in sharply from the left and took aim.
Less than a minute later, Germain instead put Japan in front.
Na’s FC Machida teammate Yuki Soma made space on the left flank and swung in an inviting cross, and Sanfrecce Hiroshima striker Germain did superbly to guide it home on the volley with his left foot - his fifth goal of the competition.
Tomoya Ando of Avispa Fukuoka almost doubled Japan’s lead in the 19th minute, chesting a high ball down and then firing a thumping effort across goal, but it flew narrowly wide of the far post.
Korea Republic came out fighting in the second half, redoubling their efforts and penning Japan back for long spells as they looked to find a way back into the game.
The Samurai Blue stayed resolute defensively though, maintaining their organisation at the back and putting their bodies on the line repeatedly to block their opponents’ route to goal.
In the 84th minute it looked as though the hosts were certain to pull level, as substitute Lee Ho-jae sent an acrobatic attempt goalwards from inside the area.
Sanfrecce Hiroshima goalkeeper Keisuke Osako - who went on to be voted as the tournament’s best goalkeeper - pulled off a sensational save to deny him though, leaping at full stretch to keep the ball out and ensure Japan hung on to the win and could lift the trophy with a perfect record of three wins from three.
