The appointment ends a month-long search for a replacement for former boss Alen Stajcic, whose contract was terminated on January 19.

The role is Milicic's first in the women's game, although the 44-year-old has held a number of roles with Australian national teams at both senior and youth levels.

The Asian champions will face hosts and world champions the United States, as well as Brazil and World Cup opponents England in the competition, which begins in Philadelphia on February 28.

With seven uncapped players, and 12 players under the age of 23, the squad provides an opportunity Japan's talented young brigade to appear on the senior international stage just three months before the global Finals in France.

FIFA Women's U-20 World Cup winners Moeka Minami, Asato Miyagawa and Jun Endo are among the call-ups, while Rikako Kobayashi, Risako Oga and Arisa Matsubara have been rewarded for strong form in the Nadeshiko League.

In the new edition of "China PR's professional league entry regulations", all clubs from the top flight - the Chinese Super League - are required to have their women's teams established by 2020.

These newly-founded teams will compete in the Women's Super League and other divisions. Considering the boom in the CSL over recent years, the new policy is expected to provide a massive boost for the women's game in the world's most populous country.

Kerr scored twice in Perth Glory's 5-1 away win over Western Sydney Wanderers, with her first goal breaking the existing record of 63 career goals in the league in the 70th minute.

The 2017 AFC Women's Player of the Year added her second of the match 11 minutes later, to take her tally to 65, taking her two clear of Heyman, who turns out for Adelaide United.

The victory takes Perth to the top of the W-League table, although Melbourne Victory, Sydney FC and Brisbane Roar remain in touching distance as the season reaches its business end.

The format may have changed from round-robin to knockout, but the identity of the competition winners has now remained the same since 2016, with the hosts winning the title for the fourth consecutive year.

Gu Yasha's sweetly struck left-footed half-volley on the quarter-hour mark proved decisive for Jia Xiuquan's team, who have now registered four wins in a row against their East Asian rivals, and strung together six consecutive victories against all opposition.

Football Federation Australia Chief Executive Officer David Gallop AM revealed the rationale behind the decision, which comes less than five months before Australia begin their France 2019 campaign against Italy.

“The ultimate responsibility for driving change and leading a high-performance environment that puts the team in the best possible position to achieve what they are capable of, rests with the Head Coach," he said.

"We no longer have confidence that Alen is the right person to lead the team and staff."

With the traditional round-robin format replaced by a straight knockout system, China PR's win over Nigeria and Korea Republic's earlier success over Romania means the two Asian sides will meet to decide the champions.