Australia has recorded a memorable 3-1 win over 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup finalists Japan at Kincho Stadium in Osaka, Japan.

First half goals from Matildas co-captain Lisa De Vanna and striker partner Michelle Heyman saw the Matildas go into the break with a lead, before Katrina Gorry sealed the win late in the second half.

After being on the end of tight defeats in their past two encounters, Australia started the match nervously but it wasn't long before they got into their stride.

Heyman show her dangerous potential in the opening 10 minutes with a strong run only to put her effort into the arms of Japanese goalkeeper Erina Yamane.

FBL-OLY-JPN-AUS Michelle Heyman with a stellar finish on half time (Credit: JiJi Press/AFP/Getty Images)

The two sides traded possession before Nahomi Kawasumi opened up with a volley just going wide of Lydia Williams' goal in the 16th minute.

Five minutes later, Nadeshiko again had sight of Australia's goal with Sakaguchi causing concerns for Williams before Steph Catley cleared the area.

In the 25th minute Australia edged ahead with Gorry producing a perfectly weighted ball onto the head of the rising De Vanna at the back post.

https://twitter.com/TheWomensGame/status/704264575789576192

On the restart Yuki Ogimi looked to get the home side level with her shot on goal just missing the target.  Gorry also tried her luck from distance in the 30th minute but it was well wide of the mark for the Matildas.

Five minutes from the break, Heyman doubled Australia's advantage when she latched onto a well weighted De Vanna through ball before calmly rounding the keeper to slot home.

https://twitter.com/TheWomensGame/status/704269041788067840

Deep in injury time Ogimi pulled one back for Japan but Australia took a 2-1 half time lead.

The London 2012 silver medallists came out firing after the break and put sustained pressure on the Matildas goal.  Staunch defensive work from the back four cleared the lines repeatedly with Williams in the 62nd minute coming up with another big save for Australia.

After surviving, Australia then regained their two goal advantage with Emily van Egmond finding Gorry at the back post with the former AFC Women's Player of the Year head back past Yamane for a third goal.

https://twitter.com/TheWomensGame/status/704281302392909824

The 89th minute saw another great save from Williams to deny Miyama as Australia held on for a famous win.

https://twitter.com/TheWomensGame/status/704276946415300608

Match Details

Australia 3 (De Vanna 25', Heyman 40', Gorry 77')

Japan 1 (Ogimi 45+2')

Monday 29 February 2016

Kincho Stadium, Osaka

Kick-Off: 7:35pm local time (9:35pm AEDT)

Crowd: 4,988 @ Kincho Stadium, Osaka

Referee: Carina Vitulano (Italy)

Australia line-up: 1.Lydia WILLIAMS (gk), 4.Clare POLKINGHORNE (c), 5.Laura ALLEWAY, 6.Chloe LOGARZO (9.Caitlin FOORD 65’), 7.Steph CATLEY, 8.Elise KELLOND-KNIGHT, 10.Emily VAN EGMOND, 11.Lisa DE VANNA (15.Emily GIELNIK 87’), 14.Alanna KENNEDY, 16.Michelle HEYMAN (17.Kyah SIMON 70’), 19.Katrina GORRY

Substitutes not used: 2.Ashleigh SYKES, 3.Caitlin COOPER, 12.Casey DUMONT (gk), 13.Tameka BUTT, 18.Mackenzie ARNOLD (gk), 20.Ellie CARPENTER

Yellow cards: Foord 90+3’

Red cards: Nil

Japan line-up: 12.Erina YAMANE (gk), 3.Azusa IWASHIMIZU, 4.Saki KUMAGAI, 5.Aya SAMESHIMA (16.Mana IWABUCHI 84’), 6.Mizuho SAKAGUCHI, 8.Aya MIYAMA (c), 9.Nahomi KAWASUMI (7.Yuri KAWAMURA 84’), 10.Yuki OGIMI, 11.Shinobu OHNO (20.Kumi YOKOYAMA 40’), 13.Saori ARIYOSHI, 14.Emi NAKAJIMA

Substitutes not used: 1.Miho FUKUMOTO (gk), 2.Yukari KINGA, 15.Megumi TAKASE, 17.Asuna TANAKA, 18.Ayaka YAMASHITA (gk), 19.Megumi KAMIONOBE

Yellow cards: Nil

Red cards: Nil