Korea Republic finished second in the standings behind Japan, who defeated China PR 2-1 in the group’s other fixture, while Myanmar ended their campaign without a point.

Korea Republic will face Group A winners DPR Korea while Japan will face Australia in Wednesday's semi-finals.

Goals either side of the break eventually proved the difference as Japan claimed a hard-fought victory against a spirited China outfit who exited the competition after being consigned to a third-place finish following Korea Republic’s win over Myanmar in the group’s other game.

Japan will now meet Australia in the last four on Wednesday as both sides look to reach the tournament’s November 9 title showdown and, in the process, guarantee themselves a place at the 2020 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.

Needing only a draw to progress, Vietnam were seven minutes away from making their first knockout stage appearance until the last gasp drama at a rain-soaked IPE Chonburi Stadium.

However, Mary Fowler’s strike in the 83rd minute would ultimately break Vietnam hearts as Leah Blayney’s charges held on to stay in sight of both the Continental title and a place in the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup 2020 Nigeria.

Australia joined DPR Korea, who defeated hosts Thailand 3-1 in Group A’’s other fixture on Saturday, in the semi-finals and they will meet either Japan, Korea Republic or China PR in the semi-finals on Wednesday.

Already assured of top spot and a place in the competition’s last four, the East Asians were rarely troubled by the host nation as a superb first-half display laid the foundations for the 2007 champions to claim yet another deserved victory.

Son Sung-gwon’s charges – who are set to face one of either Japan, Korea Republic or China PR in the next round on Wednesday – now stand one win away from guaranteeing themselves both a place in the Continental final and a place at the 2020 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Nigeria.

Oto Kanno’s sublime first-half finish and Yuzuki Yamamoto's late strike proved the difference against a Korea Republic side who find themselves still in second spot despite China PR’s 5-1 win over Myanmar earlier in the day.

Reigning champions Japan will now head into Sunday’s meeting with China knowing that a draw would be enough to guarantee them top spot in the group as they seek a sixth Continental crown at this level.

China's last four hopes now depend on their final group tie against Japan on Sunday while Myanmar, who will play Korea Republic next, have no chance of advancing after two defeats.