In 2015, it was Kumagai's Japan who emerged victorious in the semi-finals in Canada, a stoppage-time Laura Bassett own goal giving them a 2-1 win over Bronze's England on their way to a 5-2 defeat in the final against the United States.

Prior to that, it was England who triumphed 2-0 in the 2011 group stage in Germany, but on that occasion Japan went on to win the trophy while England went out in the quarter-finals.

That was before Bronze had made her senior international debut and the right-back is confident England are better equipped than ever to go all the way after several near misses in recent years.

A surprise 0-0 draw against tournament minnows Argentina was far from the start the Asian champions had hoped for in France and the result will have even more damaging consequences should they fail to beat a Scotland side participating in their first World Cup.

With world number three England lying in wait in Japan’s final group stage match, Takakura agreed that three points, and nothing less, will do at Roazhon Park on Friday.

The 2018 AFC Women’s Asian Cup’s Most Valuable Player only featured as a substitute in Japan’s 0-0 Matchday One draw against Argentina, but she made the most of her recall against the Scots, giving her side a 23rd-minute lead with a crashing 20-yard drive.

It proved to be one of the key moments in the all-important clash, and Iwabuchi was awarded Player of the Match for an excellent overall contribution alongside Yuika Sugasawa.

The Asian champions had a point to prove after their lacklustre 0-0 draw with Argentina on Monday, and a youthful Nadeshiko looked more like the team which has appeared in the past two World Cup Finals.

A thumping opening goal from the reinstated Mana Iwabuchi got Japan going in the 23rd minute, before Yuika Sugasawa doubled the lead 14 minutes later, but they had to endure a nervy finale after Lana Clelland pulled a goal back for Scotland with two minutes remaining.

Despite fielding eight players making their tournament debut, Japan were considered strong favourites to win the tie, but a resolute Argentinian defence helped Carlos Borrello’s side to their first ever World Cup point.

The Matildas’ stunning come-from-behind 3-2 win over Brazil last Thursday means a thumping victory over the Reggae Girlz, coupled with a Brazilian success against Le Azzurre, could yet see the Australians top the group table despite their slow start to the tournament.

Entering the knockout stage as group winners could give his side a more winnable Round of 16 fixture, but Milicic sees little point in agonising over a match he isn’t involved in, calling on his charges to focus on the job at hand against the 53rd-ranked tournament debutants.

Both sides finished their final group stage fixture on four points, with Spain qualifying as group runners-up due to their marginally superior goal difference, while China PR’s points tally means they cannot be overhauled as one of the four best third-placed teams.