The Young Matildas had everything on the line against China after a 3-0 defeat to DPR Korea left them hanging by a thread in their hopes for an U/20 World Cup berth, but it wasn't to be for the future stars of Australian football.

The result places coach Gary Van Egmond under significant pressure, as the Young Matildas started their campaign as regional favourites to qualify, but failed to score in both the semi-final and third place play off of the 2017 AFC U/19 Women's Championship - the qualifying tournament for the World Cup.

Some criticism emerged for the scheduling of the W-League, as many of the Young Matildas were out of season, but full credit must go to the growing strength of the women's game in Asia.

There's no easy matches anymore for Australian women's football.