soccer

World champions Japan and Asian titleholders Australia booked their spots at next year's Women's World Cup with victories at the Asian Cup in Vietnam on Sunday.

Japan's Nadeshiko hammered seven unanswered goals past Jordan to reach the semifinals alongside Australia, who beat hosts Vietnam 2-0 to also qualify from Group A.

Five World Cup spots are up for grabs in the Asian tournament. In Group B, South Korea and eight-time Asian champions China have also booked their places by reaching the semifinals.

Any doubts harbored by Japan were settled by Kira Chinatsu's opener on 26 minutes, and the 2012 Olympic silver medalists pressed their advantage against outclassed Jordan.

Mizuho Sakaguchi, deputising as captain for the rested Aya Miyama, Chinatsu and Emi Nakajima all finished with two goals each, and Japan also benefited from Enshirah Alhyasat's own goal.

It was just the latest big score in the tournament after South Korea poured on 12 without conceding against minnows Myanmar and China's Steel Roses also beat Thailand 7-0 earlier in the week.

In Sunday's other game, Vietnam's captain Le Thi Thuong gifted Australia an own goal close to half-time and Katrina Gorry got the second on 90 minutes as they kept their title defense on track.

But there was consolation for Vietnam, who finished third in Group A and will now go into a play-off against the third team in Group B for the fifth and final World Cup spot.

Thailand and Myanmar, both on zero points in Group B behind South Korea and China, face each other in their final pool game on Monday with a place in the play-off at stake.

© (c) 2014 AFP