Narumi Miura’s header from Hikaru Kitagawa’s 45th minute corner delivery was initially saved by Sabrina D’Angelo but Tanaka was alert to the second ball and stabbed home from close range.

Head coach Nils Nielsen saw the pair of games against Canada serving as good preparation with the Dane confident Japan will be in the hunt for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™.

“It was a little bit more uneven,” said Nielsen. “We struggled a little bit at the beginning to get out pressing right but after we settled, we were the better team.

“We created big chances. We had two shots on the crossbar and the post but I think we deserved to win. The players looked more nervous after we made changes but anyway, it was a good win for him.

“We would like to lift a trophy and I feel that the team is ready to go all in and see if we can win the Asian Cup.”

Meanwhile, Australia also secured a second successive win against the same opponents, beating New Zealand 2-0 in Adelaide.

One goal in each half through Alanna Kennedy and Hayley Russo respectively secured the win with the match also notable for Sam Kerr making her first start in a Matildas shirt in 836 days.

Three-time Asian champions DPR Korea - who breezed through the Qualifiers to reach their first Finals since 2010 - played to a 1-1 stalemate with Russia on Sunday.

Ri Hak struck a 90th minute equaliser to cancel out Vladislava Butkevich’s first half opener for the European side to end a good outing, having won 5-2 in the first meeting on Thursday.

Other matches saw Uzbekistan defeat Islamic Republic of Iran 1-0, Chinese Taipei won 1-0 against Nepal while Bangladesh lost 2-1 to Azerbaijan.

Photos: AFP