Australia bounced back from their opening day defeat to DPR Korea to keep their hopes of landing their maiden title alive, with the victory putting them third in the standings behind Vietnam – beaten 3-0 by DPR Korea earlier in the day – on goal difference.

Mary Fowler’s first-half brace and a Courtney Nevin set-piece special helped secure the vital three-point haul for Australia on a night when host nation Thailand’s title aspirations were extinguished despite a determined performance.

The result, which also saw table-topping DPR Korea confirmed as the first team through to the last four, leaves Australia needing to beat Vietnam on Saturday to be assured of their progress through to the knockout phase.

Despite enjoying the lion’s share of possession throughout the first period, Son’s charges failed to find the net against a battling Vietnam side at the IPE Stadium.

However, a tweak in approach made all the difference after the break as the 2007 winners went on to score three times and assure themselves a place in the next round after Australia defeated hosts Thailand 3-1 in Group A’s other fixture.

The win took the 2007 champions to six points and with Australia defeating Thailand 3-1 in the group's later match on Wednesday, DPR Korea were assured of a top two finish.

Thet Thet Win’s side held the East Asians at bay for the first 30 minutes but finally succumbed as goals from Yuzuki Yamamoto and Haruka Osawa gave Japan the advantage at half-time.

Myanmar conceded three further goals after the break to eventually lose 5-0 and find themselves at the foot of the group standings, behind third-placed China who also lost their opening encounter.

A Kang Ji-woo brace – the first of which came within the game’s opening minute – ultimately proved China’s undoing as they were beaten 2-1 by their regional rivals despite Han Xuan’s superb first-half equaliser.

Kang pounced to hand Hur Jung-jae’s charges an ideal start to the all-East Asian affair, before going on to seal a vital 2-1 victory with a second-half goal after China had initially drawn level through Han Xuan’s 34th minute effort.