In a match where Jia Xiuquan's side exerted near-total statistical dominance, it took a single 51st-minute goal from Wang Shanshan to secure their first appearance in the final since 2002.

Chinese Taipei are now eliminated from the hunt for their first ever Asian Games women's football gold medal, but they remain in contention for a place on the podium, with Friday's match against Korea Republic to determine their bronze medal fate.

Korea Republic pushed the Asian champions to the edge, but an 86th-minute Lim Seon-joo own goal ultimately put paid to their hopes of a first ever appearance in the final.

Yuika Sugasawa gave Japan an early lead, but a wave of Korea Republic attacks produced an equaliser through the excellent Lee Min-a with just over 20 minutes remaining, before Lim's unfortunate touch took Japan a step closer to their first ever Asian Games women's football title.

Syria, who edged Palestine 1-0 in the Round of 16, had the lion’s share of possession and tested Vietnamese goalkeeper Bui Tien Dung numerous times but the Southeast Asians held a solid defence to keep both teams searching for the opening goal.

Park Hang-seo’s charges had used their defensive capabilities to great effect in the tournament, advancing to the quarter-finals without conceding a single goal. However, their forays upfront lacked bite and Syrian custodian Ahmad Madnya was hardly tested.

Goalkeeper Mohamed Alshamsi was the hero for UAE after he saved So Jong-Hyok's spot-kick to send the West Asians 5-3 on penalties into the last four following a 1-1 score after extra time.

UAE will play Japan in Wednesday's semi-finals.

DPR Korea, the 2014 silver medallists, created more chances in the first half against the West Asians who just had one shot at goal.

Midfielder Kim Kuk-Bom could have given the Koreans an early lead but UAE shot stopper Alshamsi stayed alert.

It was a cagey affair as neither side wanted to get caught out on the break as they both drew blanks on the stroke of halftime.