The well-oiled Nadeshiko machine of those three campaigns was full of familiar names. But gone now are the likes of Aya Miyama, Shinobu Ono, Yuki Nagasato and, of course, the iconic Homare Sawa who retired after Canada 2015.

For many observers, it will be a partly new-look Japan side that steps onto the field in the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2018 in Jordan later this week seeking to shore up qualification to the 2019 Women’s World Cup in France.

The East Asians’ dominance was at its peak between 1986 and 1999 when they won all seven continental titles in an era that included legends of the women’s game such as Sun Wen, Pu Wei and Gao Hong. 

China’s first success, on their competition debut, came after a 2-0 victory over Japan in the final and they would go on to make their mark on the global game throughout the 1990s.

 

Hosting the tournament for the second time, Vietnam began with a 3-1 victory over Jordan after Nguyen Thi Muon’s opener was followed with a brace by Le Thu Thanh Huong.

Defeats to Japan and Australia ensued but their opening day victory meant the Southeast Asians had done enough to finish third in their group and book a fifth-place play-off game with Thailand for a berth at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada.

Set to take part in their 12th successive continental competition, the East Asians booked their place after edging past neighbours DPR Korea in the qualification campaign in Pyongyang. 

After running out 10-0 winners over India in their opening game, Jang Sel-gi scored what would eventually prove to be a crucial equaliser to earn a 1-1 draw with hosts DPR Korea. 

Korea Republic then saw off Hong Kong 6-0 and Uzbekistan 4-0 to finish on top of the group by virtue of goal difference to confirm their passage to Jordan.

Join the-AFC.com as we count down to Friday's kick-off with an in-depth look at the eight teams, starting with the Philippines.

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Back in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup for the first time since 2003, the Philippines will be looking to advance beyond the group stage, a feat never achieved before, and seal a spot at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The Southeast Asians booked their place at the tournament after finishing second in their qualifying group behind Jordan, who were already guaranteed a place as hosts.

Long before Japan became a global power of the women’s game, Asako Takakura established herself as one of it’s stars

After making her national team debut at the age 16, the Fukushima-native enjoyed stellar playing career, which included 79 international caps, 29 goals and two Nadeshiko League MVP awards at club level.

A coaching career beckoned and, starting in 2013, Takakura won the AFC U-16 Women’s Championship, FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup and AFC U-19 Women’s Championship in successive years.

Ghana provided some early resistance, before the hosts took control with seven different players finding the net in the win; the Nadeshiko’s biggest since a 9-0 success against Hong Kong in September 2014.

In their first home match in 2018 Japan were expected to prevail, and Mina Tanaka gave Asako Takakura’s side the lead in the 14th minute, before talented striker Jane Ayieyam brought the Africans level 10 minutes later.

Ghanaian goalkeeper Patricia Mantey kept her side in the contest with a series of fine saves, but Mana Iwabuchi put Japan back in front in the 29th minute to take her tally to three goals in her last five matches.