AFC Women's Asian Cup: Japan and Australia advance from Group B

(BEIJING, June 2) -- Japan advanced to the knockout stage on Monday by beating Australia 3-1 in a Group B match of the Asian Football Confederation Women’s Asian Cup.

Goals by Kozue Ando, Yuki Nagasato and Aya Miyama, helped Japan secure its lead 50 minutes into the match. Clare Polkinghorne scored a face-saving goal for Australia in the 70th minute to bring the final score to 3-1.

In another Group B match on Monday, the Republic of Korea overpowered Chinese Taipei 2-0. But the victory will not help ROK advance to the knockout stage, having been eliminated from contention due to goal difference, despite tying two Group B opponents -- Japan and Australia -- with 6 points each.