With Australia facing an exit from Jordan 2018 following veteran Japan midfielder Mizuho Sakaguchi’s 63rd minute goal, the 2017 AFC Women’s Player of the Year found the back of the net with four minutes remaining to send both sides through to the semi-finals with a 1-1 draw.

“Everything’s kind of a blur right now, but we’ve qualified and we look forward to the semi-final,” she said.

Having survived and, in the end, topped the tournament’s group of death, the star striker said she is looking forward to Tuesday’s semi-final against Thailand, and no further.

“I think it gives us a lot of confidence, but I don’t think we’re thinking about winning this tournament yet,” she said.

"We’re thinking about winning the next game, and it’s always been that way. We were three minutes away from being out of the Asian Cup, so football is a funny game and we’re just focused on the next, but getting out of a group with such a tough run gives us a lot of confidence.”

On a dramatic final day of group stage action in Jordan, Yoon’s charges beat Vietnam 4-0 but still only finished third in Group B after table-topping Australia’s 1-1 draw with second-placed Japan had seen the two teams progress to the competition’s knockout phase and secure their tickets to France 2019.

However, with a play-off for fifth and sixth against the Philippines to come on Monday – the winners of which are also assured of a World Cup berth – the Korean tactician is adamant that his side will be more than ready for the challenges they are set to face.

The Matildas were on the verge of exiting the tournament at the group stage for the first time in their history, until Sam Kerr popped up with an 86th minute goal to level the tie at 1-1 and send both teams through to the next round.

A relieved Stajcic said he was proud of his side’s willingness to fight back after falling behind to Mizuho Sakaguchi’s 63rd minute goal.

“Thankfully we’ve got great character in our team and great spirit,” he said, adding “we fought until the end, until we got that goal back.”

“Not only is there good skill, good fitness and good speed in our team, there’s also good team spirit and the will to fight to the end, so I’m really proud of the group for that quality that we have.”

Australia’s 1-1 draw with Japan saw the Matildas take their place in the last four as Group B winners, and they will now meet Group A runners-up Thailand at the King Abdullah II Stadium on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Japan, who finished second in Group B, are set to face Group A winners China PR at the same venue later in the day.

All four teams have automatically qualified for next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The Matildas looked destined for a date with the Philippines in the fifth-place playoff when Mizuho Sakaguchi gave the East Asians a second-half lead, but Kerr popped up in the dying moments to force the ball into the bottom corner and eliminate Korea Republic from the semi-finals in the cruellest of fashions.

Head coach Asako Takakura spoke of the Nadeshiko DNA in the pre-game build-up and her players proved they had it in spades as they produced a stirring performance to advance to the semi-finals, in a match which saw both sides qualify for France 2019.

In a complicated final-day scenario, Japan required a win or score draw to advance to the semi-finals – and needed Korea Republic to win by less than four goals against Vietnam in the case of a 0-0 stalemate - while Australia knew a draw of any kind would suffice.

 

The victory, as comprehensive as it was, left the East Asians occupying third spot in Group B, level on five points with table-topping Australia and second-placed Japan – who drew 1-1 in the group’s other game – but agonisingly behind their two regional rivals on the head-to-head between the three teams as Korea Republic's matches against the two had ended in scoreless draws.

Korea Republic will, however, now face the Philippines on Monday in the tournament’s play-off for fifth and sixth places, with the winners assured of a ticket to next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in France.

Despite their eventual capitulation, it was Vietnam who were the first to shine, Kim Hye-ri reacting well to block Nguyen Thi Thuy Hang’s goal bound effort following Huynh Nhu’s fine run and cross on 12 minutes.

The Koreans went into the game looking for their first goal of the tournament following successive 0-0 draws, and they duly found it just two minutes later when Cho So-yun turned home Jeon Ga-eul’s pinpoint corner with a powerful header from close-range.

Vietnam responded with a Nguyen Thi Lieu shot which flashed narrowly wide, before – in the first half’s last meaningful action – Ji So-yun’s expert pass found the impressive Lee Geum-min who finished with aplomb past Vietnam custodian Dang Thi Kieu Trinh to double her side’s advantage on 38 minutes.

 

The East Asians rounded off their Group A campaign with a comprehensive 8-1 defeat of host nation Jordan on Thursday, a win that confirmed their position at the top of the table and a last four encounter with either Australia, Japan or Korea Republic from Group B.

After three successive group stage victories, Ren is now looking forward to challenges playing a top side in the semi-finals will bring.

“I think it will be a good test for us to play a stronger team in the semi-finals,” declared the 29-year-old midfielder.

“I am really looking forward to our match in the semi-finals (whoever it is against).

“I also hope we will be able to carry out what our head coach has planned.”