Japan’s Yoshimi Yamashita became the first woman to referee an Asian Cup match today (Jan. 13) when she oversaw Australia’s 2-0 defeat of India in the Group B opener in Qatar.
The 37-year-old was assisted by compatriots Makoto Bozono and Naomi Teshirogi, making it an all female refereeing team.
Yamashita, who officiated at the 2019 Women’s World Cup and the 2020 Olympics, was also the first woman to referee a match in the J1 league, the top level of Japanese football. She also served as a fourth official in six matches at the men’s World Cup in 2022.
Speaking before that event, she noted that, “The goal is to get to the point where it’s not a big deal that a woman is refereeing a men’s match, but at this stage I’m happy this is making a splash.”
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Yoshimi Yamashita becomes the first woman to officiate in the #AsianCup history! ππΌ#AsianCup2023 | #HayyaAsia | #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/sOiBj6I2C9
— #AsianQualifiers (@afcasiancup) January 13, 2024