And then there were two.

The two modern giants of women's football in the Asian Football Confederation; Japan and Australia.  The reigning world champions up against the reigning AFC champions.

For many pundits this was the final wanted on paper and this is the final many are excited to receive.

However, for either side, it has not been completely smooth sailing to get there.

Japan and Australia opened their Asian Cup campaigns up against one another.  For quality, it has arguably been the game of the tournament.

The Matildas came out all guns blazing, opening up a lead through Caitlin Foord and Lisa De Vanna before Nadeshiko slowly realed them in to end in a 2-2 draw thanks to Nahomi Kawasumi and the influential Yuki Ogimi.

[More: Matildas take a point and lessons away from opener]

Dodging a bullet, Japan went on to easily account for Vietnam (4-0) and Jordan (7-0) in their final two group games with the Japanese looking more fluid as the tournament progressed.

In those games, as expected, the Japanese dominated their opposition with Norio Sasaki's side clinically finishing off their good work.

Against a team who played well with a narrow defence, Japan's wingers were instrumental in their victory with Nahomi Kawasumi leading the charge.

The Seattle Reign winger was rewarded for her attacking endeavour with two goals while Nanase Kiryu on the other wing also found  the back of the net and outstanding central striker Yuki Ogimi netted her second goal of the tournament.

Against Jordan the world champions were even more ruthless as they took control of the match early and scored at regular intervals through  Mizuho Sakaguchi (2), Emi Nakajima (2) and  Chinatsu Kira (2) to quash any potential Jordanian resistance.

The matches also saw the newly worked defence of Japan begin to click with veteran defender Azusa Iwashimizu leading an inexperienced back five.  

The Matildas too recorded victories over Jordan (3-1) and Vietnam (2-0), although not in the same emphatic manner as their confederation rivals. Australia did enough to get past the two lower ranked sides to not only qualify for the semi finals but also for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Jordan proved to a be tricky opposition with their physicality disrupting the Matildas passing game. Kate Gill eventually found a way past the Jordanians on the way to breaking Cheryl Salisbury's goalscoring record just prior to half time.

After the break Australia improved their performance with Gill providing another clinical finish and Katrina Gorry with her now trademark rockets ensuring the Matildas banked their first win of the tournament.

[More: Matildas bank points in a challenging match]

While not as physical, a well structured Vietnam proved their own puzzle for the Matildas to solve.  While never really headed, again it took until the stroke of half time for Australia to find a way through.

The second half saw Australia hold the hosts at bay before Gorry finished of the match with another scorcher.

[More: Matildas World Cup spot claimed, Asian Cup defence continues]

With three days break both sides entered their semi finals against Group B opponents China and Korea Republic with confidence.

For Japan it didn't quite go to plan despite opening the scoring through Homare Sawa's 88th international goal.  A suspect handball call saw China level up the scores via a converted Li Dongna penalty late in the match to send the game into extra time.

In extra time it was the Chinese, who had grown in confidence, who took the initiative and looked like scoring while Japan looked leg weary as the match progressed.

With the penultimate play of the match, with penalties beckoning, Iwashimizu saved Nadeshiko from that drama with a headed goal in the 122nd minute to send Japan through to the final.

After waiting for the tense conclusion of the first semi final Australia and Korea Republic took to the field in a quality encounter.

While the Koreans started well in their quest for a first Asian Cup Final berth, Australia slowly got on top with the defending champions working their way to a deserved 2-1 win.

A leading contender for Player of the Tournament, Gorry emphatically broke the deadlock just after the break with the Elise Kellond-Knight scoring her first international goal after Korea had equalised via a penalty.

[More: Australia outplay, outlast Korea Republic]

The final with be the first time these two nations meet in a title decider.  Four years ago, almost to the day, Australia ended Japan's chances of a maiden AFC victory.

Will it be all just a little bit of history repeating?