China overcame a stern test against holders Japan which went all the way to penalties at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Pune, India.

Riko Ueki scored to put Japan a goal up at half time before China PR’s Wu Chengshu equalised straight after the break.

Neither side could find the important third goal in the second half, leaving extra time to provide further drama.

Ueki scored again in the 103rd minute and it seemed it was the winning goal until Wang Shanshan levelled just before the conclusion of extra time.

Penalties were needed and both sides required a second spot kick to get their scoring underway.

Japan’s Miniami dramatically missed the crucial fifth penalty to all-but condemn the 2014 and 2018 champions to defeat.

Player of the match Shangshan made no mistake on China’s final penalty to secure their first Asian Cup final appearance since 2008.

It will also give them a chance to win their ninth Asian Cup and first in 14 years.

In the earlier game, South Korea ended the Philippines’ historic tournament in the early game with a 2-0 win.

Before this year’s tournament, the Philippines had never finished higher than sixth place and exited in the group stage eight of the ten times they have qualified.

Kim Hye-Ri put South Korea in the lead early on with the opening goal coming in just the fourth minute.

The favourites increased the lead through Son Hwa-Yeon turning in Choo Hyo-Joo’s cross on the 34th minute mark.

Filipinas’ goalkeeper Oliver McDaniel produced a consolation stop against Lee Mi-Na’s effort in the 88th minute.

The Philippines’ run to the semi-finals means they have successfully taken a spot at the FIFA World Cup 2023, hosted by Australia and New Zealand.