Drawn alongside two-time winners Germany as well as South Africa and Spain, most observers do not consider the 16th-ranked Steel Roses among the top contenders, but head coach Jia believes there is no reason his charges can't add a global crown to their eight Asian titles.

Lyon's victory completes a treble following domestic league and cup titles, and gives the French club a record-extending six European titles, all of which have come since 2011.

In this week's Asian Watch; Australia and Korea Republic have announced their final squads, and a Paris-bound Thailand are close to the doing the same, while Asako Takakura has reflected on the importance of last April's AFC Women's Asian Cup triumph in Jordan.

Unsurprisingly, UK-based stars Ji So-yun and captain Cho So-hyun both feature in the 23-strong contingent, which also features 10 players from Korean domestic champions Incheon Hyundai Steel Red Angels.

West Ham United's Cho is Korea Republic's most capped international, while Chelsea's Ji - with 53 international goals - is the country's all-time top scorer.

The striker's inclusion - which is set to make her Australia's youngest World Cup player - is among the biggest talking points in an otherwise richly-experienced 23-strong squad, which features 15 players to have previously appeared in the tournament and 12 with over 50 international caps.

The teenager's selection comes after four previous appearances for the Matildas - including a substitute appearance in their most recent outing against the United States - as well as seven goals in three matches in last month's 2019 AFC U-19 Women's Championship Qualifiers.

Headlined by France-based captain Saki Kumagai, the squad contains a balance of youth and experience, with a string of new faces called upon in addition to a reliable core of senior players.

The Asian champions can boast four players who have already lifted a world title on French soil, with victorious 2018 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup quartet Moeka Minami, Asato Miyagawa, Riko Ueki and Jun Endo all earning selection.

They are joined by goalkeeper Chika Hirao, midfielder Hina Sugita and NTV Beleza pair Narumi Miura and Rikako Kobayasahi as players aged 22 or under, and with less than 10 international appearances.

Milicic, who took charge of Australia’s senior women’s national football team in February 2019 shortly before the inaugural Cup of Nations, will oversee Australia’s bid to qualify for Tokyo 2020 early next year, and, if successful, will guide the Matildas to the 12-nation tournament in Japan.

One of Milicic’s assistant coaches, Ivan Jolic, has also had his contract extended for the same period.