Japan

Three months after retaining their status as Asian Champions, Japan showed they have a long way to go before they again reach the top of the world, and Asako Takakura was frustrated to lose all three matches in a Tournament of Nations campaign the coach described as 'miserable'.

The Nadeshiko struggled defensively without regular captain and Best FIFA Women's Player Nominee Saki Kumagai, but the tournament did allow Takakura to introduce a number of new faces as she continues to search for the perfect combination.

Australia defeated Asian champions Japan 2-0 but that was not to be enough as the USA beat Brazil 4-1 in the later game to take the title on goal difference.

USA and Australia finished on seven points but the Matildas will rue the last minute goal they conceded when they played the American world champions on Sunday, which salvaged the hosts what ultimately proved to be a crucial point.

But what made the victory magnificent for the Thais was the fact that they had to come back from two goals down before they were able to put down the aspiring young Matildas.

“It was a very difficult game, especially when we were down by two goals. I really thought it would be tough to win this tie,” said Thailand head coach Nuengrutai Sraithongvian.

“I am very proud of the players for coming back into this game the way they did.”

The Thais – three times champions in 2014, 2015 and 2016 – who had beaten the same Australian side 4-2 in the group stage would find them a totally different kettle of fish.

Several positional changes saw the speedy Kanjana Sung-ngoen being clamped down on the right while the usually explosive Suchawadee Niidhamrong had a rather quiet night at the start.

The 11-team competition will see 2014 champions DPR Korea in Group B with China, Hong Kong and Tajikistan while Group C has 2014 silver medallists Japan, Vietnam and Thailand.

The top two teams from each group, together with the two best third-placed teams, will advance to the quarter-finals.

The 2018 Asian Games women's football competition will be held on August 16 to 31.

Asako Takakura's side are now sixth in the FIFA World Rankings - their highest position in a year - after a three-month period which saw them remain unbeaten in seven matches, including their 1-0 AFC Women's Asian Cup Final win over Australia.

With only two wins in their six matches since the last rankings update in March, Australia fell two places to eighth, while DPR Korea, who failed to qualify for Jordan 2018, retain their previous position of 10th.

Korea Republic moved up by a single position to 15th and China PR remained at 17th while Thailand benefited from their excellent run to the AFC Women's Asian Cup semi-finals by rising two places to 28th.

The two Asian stars, who play for Olympique Lyonnais and Chelsea respectively, were chosen for the elite 18-player squad by UEFA's Technical Observers. They were the only non-European players to earn selection.

The honour is the icing on the cake in what has been a stellar season for Kumagai, who won the UEFA Women's Champions League for the third time in a row last month, having also lifted the AFC Women's Asian Cup in April.

The 27-year-old, along with with Lyon teammates Wendi Renard, Eugenie Le Sommer and Griedge M'Bock Bathy, earned selection in the Squad of the Season for the third successive year. 

A total of nine Lyon players were named in the squad, reflecting the French club's recent dominance of the competition.

The winning goal - a mishit shot which looped agonisingly beyond the reach of goalkeeper Peng Shimeng - came just three minutes after China's AFC Women's Asian Cup top scorer Li Ying had levelled the tie, following Megan Rapinoe's first half header.

In her 100th international match, Christen Press was influential, playing a part in both American goals as the world's top-ranked side outlasted a determined Steel Roses outfit for the second time in a week, after Thursday's 1-0 result.

The hosts had the better of the early action and took the lead when Press' pinpoint cross was met by an equally excellent Rapinoe header in the 35th minute.