BANGKOK - Japan beat China 2-0 in the semifinals of the AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup on Wednesday to advance to the final.

Mao Itamura gave Japan an early lead in the fifth minute with a right-footed finish, and Noa Fukushima doubled the advantage in the 24th with a right-footed free kick at Thammasat Stadium in Thailand.

Japan controlled much of the match, although China goalkeeper Liu Chen denied several efforts in the second half to keep her side in contention. China's best chance came just before the final whistle, but Lu Jiayu failed to convert.

Despite the defeat, China had already qualified for the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in Poland by beating Uzbekistan 2-1 in the quarterfinals on Saturday.

Six-time tournament winner Japan will face defending champion the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in Saturday's final.