Viet Nam’s women’s football team will have to prepare themselves for the play-off match in order to win the continent’s fifth ticket to the Women’s World Cup next year after a 2-0 loss to Australia in the last match of Group A at Thong Nhat Stadium in HCM City.

An own goal off a shot inside the box from Emily Van Egmond and Kathryna Gorry’s goal in the second half gave the defending champions a hard-fought 2-0 win over the home team.

The loss left Viet Nam out of the last four after the team only managed to gain three points. The country beat Jordan 3-1 in the opening match but lost 4-0 and 2-0 to Japan and Australia.

The victory helped Australia claim second place in the group with seven points after three matches. They drew 2-2 with Japan in the opener, and beat Jordan 3-1 and Viet Nam 2-0 in the two next matches. Australia will take on the winners of Group B which will be decided today after the match between South Korea and China.

The win not only keeps Australia on course to defending their title, but also gives them a place in the World Cup next year in Canada.

“As I expected, it was a difficult game for us because the opponent’s organisation in defence and their determination to defend was very good today. I also wish them luck in the play-off match,” Australia’s coach, Alen Stajcic, said in the post-match press conference.

Viet Nam’s Chinese coach, Chen Yun Fa, said: “Our opponents today are the defending champions and a very strong team, but our players stuck to the game plan, defending well and waiting to pounce on the counter-attack,” he said.

“Our players lost the match today but I am happy with their spirit. I also congratulate Australia for qualifying for the World Cup,” he added.

In the other match in the group, Japan, who also beat Viet Nam 4-0 two days ago, thrashed Jordan 7-0, to take the group with seven points and a better goal difference than Australia. Japan will play the runners-up of the Group B.

On Saturday, South Korea and China also qualified for the semi-final stage, meaning they also go to Canada, after beating Thailand 4-0 and Myanmar 3-0.

According to VNS