Milicic expects Vietnam to adopt a defensive approach but said it was important for the Matildas to not only convert their chances but to also not concede against the Southeast Asians.

As the long and winding road to Tokyo 2020 nears the finish line, the-AFC.com takes a look at some of the key numbers from the previous round of Qualifiers.

An injury-time winner from two-goal striker Bethany England proved decisive, with an Arsenal side featuring Australian ace Catilin Foord, and coached by countryman Joe Montemurro, left to lament a missed opportunity.

Chelsea led at half-time but had to endure wave after wave of Arsenal attacks as the game wore on, with Leah Williamson equalising in the 85th minute, before England tapped in in the final moments to seal the win.

After a tough learning curve for a young squad at the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019, Takakura’s troops have their focus firmly on this year’s Olympics.

FIFA.com sat down with the former midfielder and FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup-winning coach to discuss last year’s “disappointing” World Cup, and welcoming the world to Japan for Tokyo 2020.

Group winners in the previous round in Sydney, Milicic has rewarded his players by selecting an identical squad which claimed big wins over Chinese Taipei (7-0) and Thailand (6-0) before being pushed to the limit in a 1-1 draw with China PR.

A supremely disciplined Steel Roses side came within 120 seconds of pulling off a shock away win against the World Number 7 Matildas, only to be denied by Emily van Egmond’s superb injury-time equaliser, which lifted the Australians above the Steel Roses on goal difference.

The Taeguk Ladies found a way past an ultra defensive Vietnam with goals from Jang Sel-gi, Choo Hyo-joo and Ji So-yun to set up a date with the Group B runners-up in next month’s Play-offs.

Vietnam, who claimed second spot, will face the Group B winners with the triumphant teams from the Play-offs joining hosts Japan as Asia’s representatives at the 2020 Olympics.