Australian striker Kerr scored Chicago’s decisive eighth-minute goal after a sublime pass from Japanese 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup winner Nagasato, continuing the seemingly telepathic understanding between the pair, who respectively lead the league for scoring and assists.

Kerr’s goal was her 19th of the NWSL season, while Nagasato’s defence-splitting assist was the ninth of the campaign for the 32-year-old, with eight of them having been converted by Kerr.

Group A will have DPR Korea, hosts Korea Republic, Vietnam and Myanmar.

Group B pitted Australia, hosts China PR, Thailand and Chinese Taipei.

Bell, 58, is Korea Republic’s first foreign women’s national team coach after signing a three-year deal, which lasts until the conclusion of the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup.

The appointment ends the search for a full-time successor to former coach Yoon Duk-yeo - who took the side to the past two FIFA Women’s World Cups – after former player Hwang In-sun served as interim boss during this month’s tour of the United States, which included a creditable 1-1 draw against the world champions.

Chelsea Ji So-yun stunned the 33,000-strong crowd with the opening goal just after the half-hour mark, before Carli Lloyd equalised three minutes later but the Americans couldn’t find a winning goal in head coach Jill Ellis’ final game in charge.

Korea Republic’s draw ends a five-game losing streak and makes them the first side to share the spoils with the Americans since England claimed a 2-2 draw in March.

Mana Iwabuchi, Yuka Momiki, Yui Hasegawa and Rikako Kobayasahi all got on the scoresheet for Asako Takakura’s side, who ended a run of one win in their previous eight games in fine style.

The Matildas goal machine and 2017 AFC Women’s Player of the Year found the back of the net twice in Chicago Red Stars’ 3-1 win over Washington Spirit, taking her season tally to 18; one more than the previous record she set in 2017.

Kerr’s 18 goals have come in just 20 appearances, and despite her missing a month of league football due to Australia’s participation in FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019, where she scored five goals in four matches.

Four Asian teams, including host Japan, will compete in the men’s football tournament, while Asako Takakura’s Asian champions will be one of three to take part in the women’s competition, making the battle to represent the Continent one with little margin for error.

Both competitions have already seen dramatic qualifying action in Asia. The Road to Tokyo’s women’s football tournament began in Asia on November 4, 2018, while the first men’s qualifiers got underway on March 22, 2019, with final tournaments to be staged in early 2020 to determine the Continent's representatives.