Japan controlled the match from the opening whistle but found it hard to find gaps in a very disciplined Korea Republic 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 Republic 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 Republic 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.