After making two crucial errors during the match, Australia’s goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold became the match-winner as she made three saves in the shoot-out, enabling Samantha Carr to convert the kick that took them to a third consecutive final.

The tournament favourites, seeking a second success after their 2010 triumph, will now meet the side who beat them in the 2014 final - Japan, relatively easy 3-1 winners over China in the second semi-final.

But Australia were pushed all the way by a hugely enterprising Thai side who survived extra-time despite being down to 10 players, having had Wilaiporn Boothduang sent off for a second bookable offence in the 87th minute.

At that point Australia, who had beaten Thailand 5-0 in the group stages, were 2-1 down in Amman’s King Abdullah II Stadium and looking at the exit.

But then Alanna Kennedy revived their flagging ambition as she headed home from a corner a minute into injury time.

Matildas head coach Alen Stajcic made six changes from the side which had drawn against defending champions Japan four days earlier, and the match plan seemed to be working out when defender Kanchanporn Saenkhun headed a dangerous cross from Emily Gielnik into her own net after 17 minutes.

But Thailand equalised almost immediately when Kanjana Sung-Ngeon got in behind the Australian defence before lobbing the ball in the direction of Arnold, who fumbled and allowed it to cross the line.

After 64 minutes Thailand took the lead when Thongsombut Rattikan slammed a shot into the net from 15 yards after errors from Arnold and then Kennedy.

Arnold kept her side in with a chance as she saved after Kanjana had broken through the defence again in the 68th minute, and Stajcic introduced his star striker Kerr as the favourites wobbled.

When Kerr’s looping header came back off the bar in the 84th minute it looked as if a huge upset was on.

Then the dismissal of Boothduang precipitated a decisive switch in fortunes and the Matildas were left to discover whether their final opponents would be the defending champions or the team who have won this competition a record eight times - China.

That question was soon answered as Japan progressed with a steady victory, set on their way by a 39th minue opener from Mana Iwabuchi.

The holders were never really troubled, and sealed their win with two late goals from substitute Kumi Yokoyama, who scored from open play in the 85th minute and from the penalty spot three minutes later after a handball by Wang Shanshan.

Li Ying pulled a goal back with a 90th minute penalty.

The tournament offers places at next year's FIFA Women’s World Cup in France to the top five finishers, and South Korea secured the crucial fifth place with a 5-0 win over the Philippines at the Amman International Stadium.

China's third place play-off with Thailand is due to precede the final on Friday,(April 20).