The highly regarded Nadeshiko set up the title showdown with Australia thanks to the semi-final win over China PR, a hard-fought victory which came just hours after the Matildas had beaten Thailand on penalties to progress to the continental finale.

Despite Japan’s stellar progress in the tournament, and the fact that they have already secured a place at next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup, Takakura is adamant that the East Asians can improve further yet.

“I think this result against China and the (group stage) games we played against Korea Republic and Australia show that we are definitely developing as a team,” she declared.

“I also believe that our win against China was a product of the two years of planning we have had since I took over as head coach.

Mana Iwabuchi’s early strike and Kumi Yokoyama’s second half brace proved the difference as the Japanese booked a fifth final appearance to keep alive their hopes of successive continental crowns with a hard-fought victory that further underlined the glowing reputation of Asako Takakura’s talented team.

The defeat, meanwhile, sees China consigned to a play-off for third place with Thailand following a string of group stage performances that had often hinted at greater things from head coach Siggi Eyjolsson’s charges.

 

After making two major errors during the match, goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold emerged as Australia’s unlikely hero, making three saves in the shootout, leaving Sam Kerr to convert the kick which took them to their third consecutive final.

Thailand, led by the magnificent Kanjana Sung-Ngeon, pushed the favourites to their limit in a performance worthy of one Asia’s top four teams, but fell just short of completing the upset of the tournament.

Matildas head coach Alen Stajcic made six charges to the side which had started against Japan four days earlier, with Kerr, Emily van Egmond, Steph Cately and Lydia Williams among the regulars to be omitted.

Having breezed to a 5-0 win against the same opposition just 22 days prior, Australia were widely expected to have the measure of the Thais but the first half proved to be a much tighter contest than many expected.

Australia dominated possession and early chances, and – despite committed Thai defending - took the lead when Chaba Kaew defender Kanchanaporn Saenkhun unfortunately headed a dangerous Emily Gielnik cross into her own net in the 17th minute.

Just three weeks after putting five goals past Thailand in a pre-tournament friendly, the Matildas narrowly escaped elimination, with Alanna Kennedy’s 91st minute header taking the tie to extra-time before Mackenzie Arnold’s goalkeeping heroics finally won it.

While Australia were successful in becoming the first team to reach three consecutive AFC Women’s Asian Cup finals since China PR in 1999, Stajcic said there were no excuses for their performance.

With China PR, Thailand, Australia and Japan already assured of their tickets to France 2019, the Koreans, who finished third in Group B to miss out on automatic qualification, proved too strong for their Southeast Asian opponents as they ended their continental adventure on a high thanks to a flurry of goals either side of the break.

Despite seeing his side fail to capture the nation’s first AFC Women's Asian Cup title, Yoon was nevertheless content with what had been achieved in Jordan.

“Our players did a great job and an excellent performance which helped us qualify for the World Cup,” said the 57-year-old who will be taking his country to a second successive global extravaganza.

“Of course, it would have been much better if we had been in the semi-finals, but all my players gave 100 percent in all the matches and played very well throughout the tournament.

With China PR, Thailand, Australia and Japan already assured of their tickets to France 2019, the Koreans, who finished third in Group B to miss out on automatic qualification, proved too strong for their Southeast Asian opponents as Cho scored twice to ensure a rousing finale to her side’s continental campaign.

“I think it was definitely better that we had to play against very strong teams, matches in which we performed very well,” said Cho, a member of the Korea Republic squad which competed at the last World Cup in Canada.

“I believe those matches against Australia and Japan in the group stage certainly made us stronger (as the competition progressed), and the game against the Philippines, who along with Vietnam are certainly improving, was another great test for us. 

“I would like to say a big thanks to my teammates who did their absolute best in this game and throughout the tournament.”

Annis, who played all 90 minutes as her side fell 5-0 to a rampant Korea Republic, said that while the Malditas were disappointed to fall at the final hurdle, she will look back at Jordan 2018 with fondness.

“I think this whole Asian Cup has been an amazing experience for all of us and especially for women’s football in the Philippines,” she said. 

“We’re on the map now, and people notice us. Coming into this no one mentioned anything about the Philippines – that was going to be everyone’s easy game and (opponents) didn’t have to think about us, but we really fought and we were (competitive) in every game.”