Reigning champions Japan missed an opportunity to join China PR in the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2018 semi-finals, as they were held to a 0-0 draw by their East Asian neighbours Korea Republic.

A win would have secured passage to the final four, and the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup for Japan, who could potentially be eliminated if they lose their final group stage match against Australia on Friday.

It was the second successive goalless stalemate involving the Koreans, who spent much of the early stages in the ascendancy, as the result ensured no team from Group B will go into the final Matchday assured of progression.

Asako Takakura selected a new-look Japanese outfit to the one that put four goals past Vietnam on Saturday, with five new faces in the line-up including Nahomi Kawasumi, who earned her first national team start in over two years.

Conversely, Korea Republic, started with all but one of the 11 who began their match against Australia, and Yoon Duk-yeo's side started confidently, with Lee Min-a looking particularly dangerous as they took the game to the reigning champions.

The Koreans remained on the front foot for much of the first half and Lee had the period's best sight at goal when she was found by Jung Seol-bin's precise pass, only for the Japan-based attacking midfielder to fire over the crossbar from close range.

Nana Ichise's effort from a corner kick was Japan's only shot at goal – compared to Korea Republic's five – underlined the state of play as the teams went into the half-time break with the score at 0-0.

The pattern continued shortly after the break, with Rin Sumida's crucial intervention preventing Lee from pulling the trigger after a delightful Korean passing move cut a swathe through the Japanese defence.

But the Nadeshiko knew a single goal would be enough to secure a place in the semi-finals, and with it, FIFA Women's World Cup qualification, and their influence started to grow.

Substitute Yuika Sugasawa headed Kawasumi's corner just wide in the 62nd minute, then forced Yoon Young-guel into a save with a volley shortly thereafter, and when Lim Seon-joo stretched to block Yui Hasegawa's 74th minute effort, Japan looked, for the first time, the side most likely to take all three points.

Mana Iwabuchi had the game's last chance, but saw her rasping shot saved by Yoon, setting the stage for a fascinating final day of Group B matches.

Korea Republic will fancy their chances of beating Vietnam, but even that may not be enough to see them through to the semi-finals, while Japan's match against Australia, will pit the winners of the previous two editions of the tournament against each other.

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