CHENGDU, China (Kyodo) Japan lost to Australia 1-0 on Thursday in the semifinals of the Women's Asian Cup.
Kathryn Gill scored the lone goal on the stroke of halftime, booking Australia's spot in the final for the first time in four years.
Japan will play in the match to determine third place, against either China or North Korea, on Sunday as it bids to make its sixth consecutive World Cup appearance.
The top three finishers qualify for the World Cup in Germany next year.
The Aussies took advantage of a defensive miscue to take the lead with the first shot on target.