BANGKOK - Japan ended their 2009 AFC U-16 Women’s Championship campaign with an impressive 6-2 win over Australia in the third-place play-off that saw Hiroshi Yoshida’s side book their place at the 2010 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup as Asia’s third representatives along side the two finalists.

Mai Kyokawa was the star of the show with four goals as Japan avenged their 3-1 loss to Australia in the group stage as the two-time AFC U-16 Women’s Championship finalists joined Korea Republic and DPR Korea at next year’s global meet in Trinidad & Tobago.

Japan’s semi-final defeat Korea Republic ended their chance of a hat-trick of final appearances following their triumph in the inaugural competition and their runners-up finish two years later but they were not dwelling on the disappointment of missing out on a third title decider as they took a 2-0 lead going into the break in Sunday’s clash at the Supachalasai Stadium.

Kyokawa gave Japan a 32nd minute lead with her sixth of the campaign before Hikaru Naomoto doubled Japan’s advantage on the stroke of half-time.

Kyokawa extended Japan’s lead eight minutes after the restart and while Tara Andrews reduced the deficit on the hour-mark Kyokawa restored the East Asians’ three goal cushion as she completed her hat-trick ten minutes later.

Hikari Takagi made it 5-1 for Japan in the 84th minute and after Caitlin Foord bagged Australia’s second three minutes later Kyokawa was on target again 60 seconds later with her fourth of the match and ninth of the campaign.