Against all the odds, Thailand led the pre-tournament favourites in the final minutes of normal time, before finally succumbing to a 3-1 penalty shootout loss after the match ended 2-2 after extra time.

Kanjana led the charge, scoring an audacious lob to level the tie at 1-1 and providing constant headaches for the Australian defence to add to her reputation as a player for the big occasion.

The 31-year-old, who scored her fourth goal of the tournament and was voted Most Valuable Player in the match, said her side could hold their heads high after a magnificent effort.

“We played wholeheartedly, and played to our fullest capabilities,” she said.

“Coming into the game, we already knew that (Australia) were stronger and higher-ranked than our team, so we tried our best, and I am proud of our game today.”

After making two major errors during the match, goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold emerged as Australia’s unlikely hero, making three saves in the shootout, leaving Sam Kerr to convert the kick which took them to their third consecutive final.

Thailand, led by the magnificent Kanjana Sung-Ngeon, pushed the favourites to their limit in a performance worthy of one Asia’s top four teams, but fell just short of completing the upset of the tournament.

Matildas head coach Alen Stajcic made six charges to the side which had started against Japan four days earlier, with Kerr, Emily van Egmond, Steph Cately and Lydia Williams among the regulars to be omitted.

Having breezed to a 5-0 win against the same opposition just 22 days prior, Australia were widely expected to have the measure of the Thais but the first half proved to be a much tighter contest than many expected.

Australia dominated possession and early chances, and – despite committed Thai defending - took the lead when Chaba Kaew defender Kanchanaporn Saenkhun unfortunately headed a dangerous Emily Gielnik cross into her own net in the 17th minute.

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.

 

Annis, who played all 90 minutes as her side fell 5-0 to a rampant Korea Republic, said that while the Malditas were disappointed to fall at the final hurdle, she will look back at Jordan 2018 with fondness.

“I think this whole Asian Cup has been an amazing experience for all of us and especially for women’s football in the Philippines,” she said. 

“We’re on the map now, and people notice us. Coming into this no one mentioned anything about the Philippines – that was going to be everyone’s easy game and (opponents) didn’t have to think about us, but we really fought and we were (competitive) in every game.”