SYDNEY, March 22 — Japan coach Nils Nielsen hailed the character of his “inspirational” side after they withstood a sustained Australian barrage to win the Women’s Asian Cup, with the Greenlander calling the title well-deserved.

His talented team proved untouchable in reaching yesterday’s final, but were pushed all the way by the Matildas with Maika Hamano’s long-range 17th minute strike all that separated them in front of more than 74,000 fans in Sydney.