Japan saunter into final 

Mana Iwabuchi’s early strike and Kumi Yokoyama’s second half brace proved the difference as the Japanese booked a fifth final appearance to keep alive their hopes of successive continental crowns with a hard-fought victory that further underlined the glowing reputation of Asako Takakura’s talented team.

The defeat, meanwhile, sees China consigned to a play-off for third place with Thailand following a string of group stage performances that had often hinted at greater things from head coach Siggi Eyjolsson’s charges.