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| AFC Women’s Asian Cup |
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| Japan, Australia advance |
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| Japan players celebrate victory over Australia and a place in the semi-finals. |
HO CHI MINH CITY - Japan and Australia both secured their place in the semi-finals despite the Matildas suffering a 3-1 defeat to their East Asian opponents in their final Group B game at Thong Nat Stadium on Monday.
Australia had been in the driving seat going into the game where a draw would have cemented a place in the knockout stage, regardless of the result in the night's other game between Korea Republic and Chinese Taipei.
Japan, meanwhile, needed to win by two clear goals and they put themselves firmly in the driving seat with strikes from Kozue Ando, Yuki Nagasato and Aya Miyama giving them a three-goal cushion after 48 minutes.
Clare Polkinghorne pulled a goal back in the 70th minute but they were unable to further reduce the deficit.
However, the result proved inconsequential as both sides progressed due to Korea Republic’s surprise failure to defeat Chinese Taipei by a bigger margin.
Australia made a lethargic start to the game as a deft flick from Ando forced Australia goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri into an early save before she was called into action again in the sixth minute to deny Shinobu Ono's long-range effort.
But there was nothing Barbieri could do a minute later when an unmarked Ando latched onto a cross inside the area before firing high into the back of the net.
Ando was again left free in the box in the 11th minute but this time she shot just wide of the bar from a similar position from which she first scored.
Japan continued to press for a second and came agonisingly close in the 18th minute when Miyuki Yanagita's dangerous free-kick was superbly palmed over her bar by Barbieri.
The Matildas had struggled to create chances in the final third as Collette McCallum's cross forcing goalkeeper Miho Fukumoto to catch at the second attempt perhaps their best chance in the first half hour.
But Japan went further ahead in the 33rd minute when Miyama picked up the ball down the left flank, broke towards the edge of the box and sent a dangerous cross that evaded Barbieri and fell for Nagasato who was well-placed to fire into the empty net.
Japan added a third in the 48th minute when Miyama picked up the ball on the edge of the area, turned a defender before despatching a shot beyond the hands of goalkeeper Barbieri and into the back of the net.
But, with 20 minutes remaining Polkingthorne powered home from a corner to reduce the deficit for Australia.
Both sides attacked for a further goal but neither side could add another and in the end it mattered little as they both earned a place in the semi-finals.
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