The AFC Women’s Player of the Year scored a superb hat-trick against the Nadeshiko in San Diego last year, kick-starting a career-best run which has seen her find the back of the net a remarkable 15 times in her last 13 international matches.

With the pacey forward fresh from two goals against Vietnam on Tuesday, Sameshima says her team must keep Kerr under control in the winner-takes-all clash on Friday.

“Honestly, she’s one of the best strikers in the world right now,” she said

“I can’t let her get open space in front of her. Also, we have to be aware that number Emily van Egmond tries to find her with a lot of through-balls.”

“I haven’t faced Sam Kerr a lot, but I’ve had a lot of experience against Lisa (De Vanna) and, it’s very difficult against her, but I also enjoy the battle.”

The East Asians head into the encounter needing a win to keep alive their hopes of a top-two finish and progress to the knockout phase, something that will be made impossible if the group’s other match between table-topping Australia and second-placed Japan ends in a score draw.

Should, however, Australia and Japan share the spoils in a goalless draw, the Koreans would need to better Japan’s 4-0 defeat of Vietnam on Matchday Two to be guaranteed a place in the last four. A potential scenario, Lee is more than aware of.

“Against Vietnam, we need to score as many goals as possible, so I will be trying my best to score,” declared the 24-year-old who plays domestically for Gyeongju KHNP.

“All the team is convinced we can make the semi-finals. In fact, before the tournament started, reaching the last four was our goal as it means we will also qualify automatically for (next year’s) FIFA Women’s World Cup.

“As time goes by, we get closer to achieving our dream. We will put all our effort into getting to the semi-finals and then the final.”

The East Asians head into Friday’s final Group B match against Vietnam needing a win to remain in the hunt for a top-two finish and progress to the knockout phase, something that will, however, be beyond them if the group’s other game between table-topping Australia and second-placed Japan ends in a score draw.

The situation is further complicated by the fact that should Australia and Japan share the spoils in a goalless draw, the Koreans would need to better the 4-0 win Japan notched against Vietnam on Matchday Two to be guaranteed a place in the last four.

Despite the cloud of doubt that hangs over his charges, Yoon is adamant that both he and his squad are focused purely and simply on the challenges which Vietnam are certain to pose.

The Nadeshiko must win or achieve a score draw to guarantee progression to the semi-finals and avoid becoming the first reigning champions to be eliminated at the group stage in the tournament’s history.

Anything less will mean the 2011 FIFA World Cup winners’ fate will rest on the result of Korea Republic’s concurrent match against Vietnam, with a variety of possible outcomes still on the table.

Five-time AFC Female Coach of the Year Takakura said she has the belief that her players will produce their best when it counts.