Having overcome all manner of obstacles to advance from Group B of the Final Round of the AFC Women’s Olympic Qualifiers in Sydney over the past week, the Steel Roses came within two minutes of securing top spot with a shock win over Australia.

A spirited, disciplined performance looked to have paid dividends when Tang Jiali put China ahead in the 86th minute, only for Emily van Egmond’s rocket in the third minute of added time saving the day for the hosts, whose draw was enough for them to top the group on goal difference.

A terrific Tang Jiali strike four minutes from time looked to have sealed a superb win for the Steel Roses, but an equally brilliant added time strike from Emily van Egmond gave the Matildas the draw they needed to win the group on goal difference.

Australia’s final position on the group table means they will face Vietnam next month for a place in Tokyo, while China’s Olympic dream depends on a two-legged contest against Korea Republic.

An Emily van Egmond hat-trick, a Kyah Simon brace and a further goal from substitute Hayley Raso gave Australia the handsome win they needed to retain top spot in the group on goal difference, meaning only a draw is required against China PR on Thursday for Ante Milicic’s side to finish as Group B winners.

While Australia continue to make smooth progress on the road to Tokyo 2020, Monday’s result was the end of the road for Thailand, who suffered a third successive defeat to finish bottom of the group.

Wang Shanshan continued her triumphant return to the team with a brace, while Tang Jiali, Wu Haiyan and Li Ying also got their names on the scoresheet in a stunning five-goal first-half blitz.

Caitlin Foord bagged a first-half hat-trick against former club coach Kazuo Echigo, while Steph Catley, Hayley Raso and substitutes Sam Kerr and Katrina Gorry also found the back of the net as the Matildas outclassed the 40th-ranked visitors.

While Ante Milicic’s side took trouble-free first steps on the road to Tokyo, Chinese Taipei are now likely to require a win against China PR on Monday if they are to keep their Olympic dream alive.

It may have been a belated start to their bid to reach Tokyo 2020, but the Steel Roses wasted no time in stamping their authority on Group B, as the seven-time Asian champions piled on four first-half goals to put themselves out of sight early in the contest.

Li Ying and Tang Jiali scored two goals apiece, with Zhang Xin and Wang Shanshan also getting on the scoresheet as China took a significant step towards next month’s final play-off round, while Thailand are on the brink of elimination after successive defeats.

The Taeguk Ladies found a way past an ultra defensive Vietnam with goals from Jang Sel-gi, Choo Hyo-joo and Ji So-yun to set up a date with the Group B runners-up in next month’s Play-offs.

Vietnam, who claimed second spot, will face the Group B winners with the triumphant teams from the Play-offs joining hosts Japan as Asia’s representatives at the 2020 Olympics.