Japanese midfielder makes FA Cup history

Daichi Kamada lifts the FA Cup trophy.

The Japanese midfielder played the full 90 minutes, being at the heart of Palace's excellent defensive performance in the 1-0 win over Manchester City at Wembley on May 17.

According to Opta , Kamada etched his name in history by becoming the first Asian player to start and win an FA Cup final.

The FA Cup is known as the oldest football tournament in the world , dating back to 1871. Despite its long history and great reputation, very few Asian players have made a significant mark in this tournament.

Tottenham's Son Heung-min became the first Asian player to win the FA Cup's top scorer title in the 2016/17 season with six goals, but he failed to reach the final.

Meanwhile, several other Asian stars – including Park Ji-sung and Shinji Kagawa at Manchester United, and Shinji Okazaki at Leicester City – have won the Premier League title, but none have started and won an FA Cup final.

Kamada’s triumph is therefore not only a personal milestone but also a groundbreaking achievement for Asian football. Kamada’s 2024/25 season at Palace has started slowly, with limited Premier League appearances as the club battle to avoid relegation.

But in recent months, as Palace hit form, Kamada regained his place in the starting line-up and emerged as a key figure in the FA Cup triumph.

The win secured Crystal Palace their first major trophy since the club was founded in 1861. It also secured their first ever European football qualification, as they will play in the UEFA Europa League next season.