Japan’s Yoshimi Yamashita is set to be the first woman in history to referee at the men’s Asian Cup, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced on Thursday.
Yamashita, who was a fourth official at the 2022 men’s World Cup, will take charge of Australia against India. She is one of five women match officials at the Asian Cup in Qatar.
The 18th edition of the tournament kicks off on Friday.
Meanwhile, Yamashita will take the whistle for the Group B opener on Saturday, with Makoto Bozono and Naomi Teshirogi appointed assistant referees.
The 37-year-old referee took charge of the opening game of last year’s Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Yamashita was the main referee for the opening match of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 between New Zealand and Norway.
She went on to officiate two more games and served as fourth official for another two matches. It was her second FIFA Women’s World Cup, following her debut in the 2019 edition held in France.
Females are stepping up to becoming referees on the bigger stages. Last December, the English Premier League appointed Rebecca Welch as its first female referee.
Her first official match as a central referee was between Fulham and Burnley on December 23, a game won by the latter.
