Japan lost 2-0 to host Australia in the semifinals of the Women's Asian Cup on Thursday and will now have to beat North Korea in the match for third place in order to go straight into the Women's World Cup next year.

Australia secured a spot in the Women's World Cup in China after Caitlin Munoz scored the opening goal of the match after 10 minutes and Joanna Peters added a second in first-half stoppage time.

Munoz tucked home a pass from Sally Shipard with a clinical finish following a poor clearance by the Japanese defense and Peters capitalized on a blunder by goalkeeper Miho Fukumoto, who dropped a corner from Collette McCallum.