Japan had to work hard before edging Korea 1-0 in their AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup quarter-final tie in China.
Australia also booked their semi-finals berth after cruising 2-0 past Vietnam in their last eight tie at the Suzhou Sports Centre Stadium.
The Young Matildas, who also confirmed their place at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2026, will meet Japan in the semi-finals.
Goalkeeper Ayaka Miyaji turned in a star performance as Japan advanced to the semi-finals and also booked their place at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Japan controlled the match from the opening whistle but found it hard to find gaps in a very disciplined Korea defending shape, with only half-chances created which were easily dealt with.
Mei Hanashiro broke through on the left with her swerving cross tipped onto the post by Lee Seung-a before the Korea Republic custodian was in the right place to catch Runa Sumiya’s shot on the turn from inside the box.
As half time approached, Korea Republic started pushing higher as efforts from Han Guk-hee and Lim Ji-hye called Japan goalkeeper Ayaka Miyaji into action but it remained all square at the break.
Korea were the better side after the interval with Miyaji having to work hard to ensure the game did not run away from Japan, needing to be at her best to tip Lim’s effort onto the post in the 49th minute.
Kim Min-seo then slipped Baek Seo-yeong through on goal in the 58th minute but Miyaji rushed out to block the effort before recovering to deny Han on the follow-up.
Miyaji produced an even better stop in the 70th minute, diving to her right to deny Han’s penalty after Lim had been felled by Misato Maeda in the box.
Surviving the heavy onslaught, Japan did what Korea couldn’t, breaking the deadlock in the 74th minute when Rara Higuchi curled home a spectacular free-kick which left Lee grasping at thin air as the four-time champions advanced.
Meanwhile, Australia seized the early control, pinning Vietnam deep inside their own half with Maeve Nicholas threatening in the sixth minute, angling her header wide of the left post.
Vietnam goalkeeper Tran Thi Cam My was then called into action, denying Frideriki Karaberis from distance in the 25th minute before stopping Jugovic twice in quick succession as Australia increased their tempo.
Australia eventually made the breakthrough in the 28th minute when Karaberis reacted quickest after Jugovic’s initial shot had been saved, turning the rebound into the bottom left corner from close range.
The Young Matildas doubled their lead three minutes later through Leyla Hussein, who collected Claire Corbett’s pass before firing a deft lob over Thi Cam My and into the bottom left corner.
Australia nearly added a third in the 33rd minute when Sakura Leong unleashed an ambitious effort from more than 35 yards, but Thi Cam My recovered well to make the save.
Vietnam emerged with greater attacking intent after the restart and almost reduced the deficit in the 53rd minute when Nguyen Thi Minh Anh met Le Thi Hong Thai’s cross inside the box, only to see her effort blocked by the Australian defence.
Nguyen Thi Ngoc Anh I then wasted another chance three minutes later after seeing her attempt blocked again before Nguyen Thi Minh Anh broke into the area in the 75th minute but her rising effort sailed just over the top right corner.
With the clock winding down, Vietnam were unable to find a way through as Australia held firm to secure the win.
