GERMANY 2-2 JAPAN

Japan led twice, but ultimately had to share the spoils with Germany in an entertaining 2-2 draw at Paderborn's Benteler Arena.

Yui Hasegawa and Kumi Yokoyama gave Japan leads in either half, but they gave them both up, as Svenja Huth's equaliser 18 minutes from time denied Asako Takakura's side a confidence-boosting win two months before the World Cup.

The win, sealed by a lone Wang Shanshan goal shortly before half-time, follows January's successful Four Nations Tournament campaign in Meizhou as Jia Xiuquan's side continue their build up to the FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019 in June.

Playing a home friendly for the first time since 2015, Korea Republic drew an unprecedented home crowd of 15,839, but couldn't hold on for a positive result after recovering from two goals behind to level the tie at 2-2 with less than 20 minutes remaining.

The record crowd was a vast improvement on the attendances for the two-game friendly series played against Russia in the build-up to the last FIFA Women's World Cup, which drew galleries of 3,177 in Incheon and 6,899 in Daejon in 2015.

FRANCE 3-1 JAPAN

Japan suffered a setback against FIFA Women's World Cup hosts France, falling to a 3-1 defeat at Stade de l'Abbé-Deschamps in Auxerre.

The loss is the second in a row for the Nadeshiko, who suffered a 3-0 defeat to France 2019 group stage rivals England in their previous match last month.

“2015 was a year with some regrets,” said Wu. “That year people learned that Team China was still young, but full of enthusiasm. After four years of effort, I hope this year we are to be recognised as a more mature, tactical and organised team.”

At just 26, Wu has immense responsibility on her shoulders as China look to go one step further than the team of 20 years ago, when a Sun Wen-led side narrowly lost out on penalties to the USA at the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The defender said wearing the armband was something she found a little more difficult starting out, but has grown into the role, enjoying the responsibility of looking out for her ‘family’.

The top six remained unchanged, with Australia as Asia's best-ranked team after maintaining their position at sixth in the world. Ante Milicic's squad, are in Group C alongside Italy, Brazil and Jamaica for France 2019.

Japan, who are in Group D with England, Scotland and Argentina, moved up a notch to seventh, while DPR Korea, who will not play in France maintained at 11th in the world.

The Steel Roses’ best finish at a World Cup was in 1999 when they finished as runners-up, narrowly losing 5-4 on penalties to the United States after extra time.

Since then, the team reached the quarter-finals on three occasions - in 2003, 2007 and 2015.