More than 50 family members and friends of Junior Matildas' players have made the trip from Australia to Thailand, with the Nash contingent among the largest in the travelling party.

There are three generations of Nashes in Chonburi, with a fourth represented by a great-grandmother watching every kick of the ball from back home in Australia, as Rae Dower’s side chase a maiden Asian title.

But, as Jessika’s mother Katherine revealed, this is far from the first away day for the family, some of whom have racked up over 45,000 kilometres of football-related travel since the tournament’s first qualifying stage last September.

The second youngest player in the Korean squad at Uruguay 2018, Gwak was just 15 when – alongside current teammates Kim Min-ji and Kim Ye-eun - she lived the World Cup experience that awaits the top two sides in Asia.

Far from being a mere passenger on the journey, Gwak started all three matches at the Finals, but was unable to prevent Hur Jung-jae’s side from suffering a group stage elimination.

Two goals each to Alana Jancevski, Hana Lowry and Georgia Beaumont helped the Junior Matildas to their biggest win at the tournament since 2013 and put them within 90 minutes of a first semi-final appearance since 2009.

Current senior international stars like Sam Kerr, Emily van Egmond and Caitlin Foord made names for themselves in that tournament, and Dower believes it is only a matter of time before some of her young charges follow in their illustrious footsteps.

Rae Dower’s side took the lead within five minutes and never looked back, piling on the goals in a dominant performance which included two each for Alana Jancevski, Hana Lowry and substitute Georgia Beaumont

The result means only a draw with Bangladesh on Saturday is required to guarantee Australia’s progression to the knockout stage for the first time since 2009, while Thailand are likely to require a win against three-time champions Japan to extend their campaign into a second week.

Japan, held to a goalless draw by Australia in their group opener, entered the match knowing they needed a win to keep in sight of the semi-finals.

With that in mind, the young Nadeshiko immediately pressed the South Asians and enjoyed the best of starts when Manaka Hayashi was left with ample space outside the box to let loose a superb strike into the top left corner within the first 70 seconds.

Both sides had their chances to win the tie, but neither managed to hold their nerve in front of goal in a hard-fought tournament opener at IPE Chonburi Stadium.

Goalkeeper Miranda Templeman starred for Australia, who became the first side to avoid defeat against Japan in the opening game of the competition since DPR Korea in 2007.

With Japan and Australia having played to a goalless draw in the tournament opener earlier on Sunday, the win took Thailand to the top of the Group A standings at the end of Matchday One in Group A.