Peta Trimis cancelled out Hiromi Yoneta’s opener before Japan came back fighting through strikes from Uno Shiragaki, Maya Hijikata and Chinari Sasai with Naomi Chinnama scoring an own goal as the East Asian side set up a final showdown with DPR Korea on Saturday.

Australia will meet Korea Republic in the third-place playoff on the same day, with all four teams having qualified for the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup Colombia 2024.

Japan enjoyed a dream start, scoring in the third minute after Australia goalkeeper Chloe Lincoln misjudged Suzu Amano’s corner and deflected the ball into the path of Yoneta to nod home the opener from close range.

The East Asian side could have doubled their advantage three minutes later but Amano failed to find the target, sending her header wide off Rio Sasaki’s cross into the area.

Japan continued to dictate proceedings and almost caught Australia off guard in the ninth minute when Alexia Apostolakis’s poor back pass was easily intercepted by an advancing Ai Tsujisawa, whose effort was foiled by Lincoln.

Lincoln came to Australia’s rescue again three minutes later when Fuka Tsunoda dispossessed Apostolakis in a swift counter attacking move before setting up Tsujisawa, who brought the best out of the Young Matildas’ custodian.

However, Australia restored parity in spectacular fashion in the 13th minute following some quick exchanges involving Daniela Galic and Milly Boughton, who then threaded a well-timed pass to Trimis with the forward sprinting down the middle before tucking the ball past goalkeeper Akari Kashima.

In a bid to wrestle back the lead, Japan made two changes at the start of the second half with Miyu Matsunaga and Aemu Oyama coming into the mix and it almost made an impact with Amano seeing her effort saved from inside the box.

Japan continued to apply pressure and retook the lead in the 63rd minute when Shiragaki’s header off a corner was deflected by Chinnama and Sasha Grove before slipping past the clutches of Lincoln.

The six-time AFC U19 Women’s Championship winners scored their third in the 83rd minute after a neat exchange between substitutes Sasai and Aemu Oyama paved the way for Hijikata to score with a curling effort into the top corner.

Japan added further gloss to the scoreline with Sasai etching her name on the scoresheet in the 88th minute before an own goal from Chinnama a minute later confirmed Japan’s place in the final.