Defending champions Japan warm up for the AFC Women's Asian Cup with a friendly match in the Algarve ©Getty Images

Japan are scheduled get their defence of the Asian Football Confederation Women's Asian Cup underway in Jordan as they meet Vietnam - who hosted the last Cup in 2014 - in their opening match on Saturday (April 7).

The tournament, which offers places at next year's FIFA Women’s World Cup in France to the top five finishers, is due to get underway at the Amman International Stadium tomorrow.

China will play Thailand in the opening match in Group A, before the hosts face The Philippines in the evening game.

As hosts, Jordan had the top seeding position along with the holders when the draw was made last December. 

Japan are playing in Group B along with Vietnam, South Korea and Australia, who they beat 1-0 to win the Asian Cup four years ago.

Australia, pictured before last month's friendly against Thailand, are in the same AFC Women's Asian Cup group as the team who beat them in the last final, Japan ©Getty Images
Australia, pictured before last month's friendly against Thailand, are in the same AFC Women's Asian Cup group as the team who beat them in the last final, Japan ©Getty Images

The tournament is being shared between two venues in Amman - the International Stadium, which has a capacity of 17,619, and the King Abdullah II Stadium, which holds 13,000.

Japan's victory in the last Asian Cup four years ago came after two campaigns where they had finished third.

China, who beat South Korea 2-1 in the 2014 third place match, have the record number of victories since the event was established in 1975, with eight.

The top two teams in each group will qualify for the semi-finals while earning their World Cup spot.

A play-off between the two third-placed sides will determine who finishes fifth to also book a place in France.