With China PR, Thailand, Australia and Japan already assured of their tickets to France 2019, the Koreans, who finished third in Group B to miss out on automatic qualification, proved too strong for their Southeast Asian opponents as Cho scored twice to ensure a rousing finale to her side’s continental campaign.

“I think it was definitely better that we had to play against very strong teams, matches in which we performed very well,” said Cho, a member of the Korea Republic squad which competed at the last World Cup in Canada.

“I believe those matches against Australia and Japan in the group stage certainly made us stronger (as the competition progressed), and the game against the Philippines, who along with Vietnam are certainly improving, was another great test for us. 

“I would like to say a big thanks to my teammates who did their absolute best in this game and throughout the tournament.”

With China PR, Thailand, Australia and Japan already assured of their tickets to France 2019, the Koreans, who finished third in Group B to miss out on automatic qualification, proved too strong for their Southeast Asian opponents as they ended their continental adventure on a high thanks to a flurry of goals either side of the break.

Despite seeing his side fail to capture the nation’s first AFC Women's Asian Cup title, Yoon was nevertheless content with what had been achieved in Jordan.

“Our players did a great job and an excellent performance which helped us qualify for the World Cup,” said the 57-year-old who will be taking his country to a second successive global extravaganza.

“Of course, it would have been much better if we had been in the semi-finals, but all my players gave 100 percent in all the matches and played very well throughout the tournament.

Yoon Duk-yeo’s side join Australia, China PR, Japan and Thailand as the Asian sides to qualify for the global extravaganza, which will kick off on June 7, 2019 in Paris and conclude with the final a month later at Parc Olympique Lyonnais in Décines-Charpieu.

Yoon Duk-yeo’s side will join Australia, Japan, China PR and Thailand as Asian representatives in December’s France 2019 draw after a brace to captain Cho So-hyun and goals to Jang Sel-gi, Lee Min-a, Lim Seon-joo and Cho So-hyun sealed a comprehensive victory.

It was the end of the Philippines’ World Cup odyssey, which began 379 days earlier in Dushanbe, Tajikistan and took the Malditas the closest they have ever come to reaching the global finals, only to fall at the final hurdle.

Following highly creditable displays against both Australia and Japan, Korea Republic were heavily favoured to prevail in the cutthroat play-off, and took the early initiative despite losing Jung Seol-bin to injury in the opening minutes.

Jung’s replacement, Choe Yu-ri, came close to opening the scoring in the 14th minute, having two attempts at goal blocked within a matter of seconds during a goalmouth scramble, as the Southeast Asians doggedly fought to keep their dream alive.

Philippines goalkeeper Kearra Bastes-Jones produced a number of excellent saves to keep the sides level, but after 34 minutes of Korean dominance, it seemed only a matter of time until the East Asians scored, and when they did, it was a goal worth waiting for.

Nuengrutai confirmed Nildhamrong's departure from the squad, but issued a reminder that her side’s impressive performances thus far were not solely down to the 21-year-old’s influence.

“Suchawadee is not only an important footballer, but she is also a university student and we emphasise that as well,” she said, “that’s why we left her to go back to the US and let her finish her final exams so she will be able to join us once again next year.

“Our progress in this tournament is not just about her. Even though we’ve reached our goal of making the semi-finals, we want to improve ourselves and test ourselves against the benchmark to get better and to help prepare ourselves for a tough (World Cup) tournament next year.”

Having guided the Steel Roses to pole position in Group A – as well as a ticket to next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup – the Icelandic tactician and the eight-time Asian champions are now braced for the eagerly anticipated showdown with their regional rivals and defending champions.

Despite the team’s illustrious past and the excellent form China displayed whilst racking up three successive group stage victories, the 1999 World Cup runners-up, by their own admission, enter the game as underdogs. Not that Eyjolfsson is overly concerned.

“Of course, we have a chance against Japan,” he declared.

With qualification for next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup already assured, the talented 25-year-old striker is currently preparing for Tuesday’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2018 semi-final showdown with Australia.

However, amidst all the pressure and the incessant media attention such a high-profile game brings, Taneekarn has been quick to dispel any thought of outdated preconceptions, reflecting instead on the positive influence her brother – and star of the Thai men’s national team – Teerasil has had on her career.