Japan opened proceedings as early as the third minute when Sato Momo Saruang received a long ball from Mitsuki Ota, turned a defender and sent a grounder that zoomed past keeper Caoimhe Bray.

Saruang scored her second in the 11th minute when she received a pass from Kikuchi Hana on the left and with only Bray to beat, easily slotted the ball home. 

Sienna Dale, who scored six goals in Australia’s qualifying campaign, had an opportunity to reduce the deficit in the 27th minute but ballooned the ball with only keeper Sakata Korin before her. 

The Japanese continued to launch attacks, but Bray and the Australian defence proved up to the task for the remainder of the first half. 

Play continued in the same vein after the break, with Japan pressing their opponents. Kikuchi proved a constant threat with her darting runs down the flanks, and Bray was forced to palm away her attempt from an acute angle in the 49th minute. 

Dale was stretchered out in the 61st minute after a mistimed tackle, and with the numerical advantage, Japanese captain Shinjo Miharu picked up a long pass from Mitsuki Oto, left two defenders on her heels, dribbled past Bray and sent the ball into an empty net.

Japan grabbed their fourth goal through midfielder Hirakawa Hina in the 80th minute when she curled the ball from outside the box into the top right past a lunging Bray.

Australia were awarded a penalty five minutes into time added on with captain Indiana Dos Santos duly slotting the ball home for a consolation.