The Qantas Young Matildas have been beaten 4-2 by DPR Korea in the semi final of the AFC U-19 Women's Championship in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia overnight ending the team's dream of becoming the first Australian team to win an AFC competition.
They will now face Japan in the 3rd/4th play-off, with the winner of that match to secure a berth at the FIFA U-20 Women's World Championship in Russia later this year.
After not conceding a goal in any of the three group matches, Australia started disastrously being two goals down in the opening 15 minutes on a heavy pitch after torrential rain had lashed the stadium before the match and throughout the first half.
Despite the early set back Australia dominated the remainder of the half with Servet Uzunlar hitting the crossbar and Collette McCallum firing narrowly wide, before Sasha McDonnell finally struck after the goalkeeper had spilled a free kick from McCallum.
Olivia Kennedy then appeared set to equalise with her shot striking the post and rebounding clear of the onrushing McDonnell.
However soon after the interval Ra Un-Sim once again pulled the Koreans two goals clear with a diving header against the run of the play.
Australia's constant pressure finally told in the 81st minute, when a brilliant team move was finished off by captain Sally Shipard from 10 metres, to set up a grandstand finish.
However despite constant pressure in and around the opposition goal, the Australians were caught by a rare Korean attacking foray forward with Ra making no mistake deep into injury time.
Disappointed Australian coach Alistair Edwards lamented the poor start, but stated there was still a number of positives to come out of the performance.
"We conceded two early goals during the torrential downpour and after that we played our way back into the game really well," said Edwards.
"We had our chances to win the game hitting the woodwork on several occasions as well as not taking three our four other chances that we would usually have converted.
"Not taking anything away from DPR Korea, they took their chances well, but we are all disappointed that we let this one slip. This is the first time that we have tasted defeat since our campaign started last year and although we could have done a few things a lot better tonight we will still take a lot of positives out of the game.
"These type of tough competitive games is what being a part of the AFC is all about."
Australia now must win a tough encounter against Japan -who like Australia finished top of their preliminary group - if they are to qualify for the FIFA U-20 Women's World Championship. Japan losing to China 5-3 on penalties in the earlier semi final after the match had been deadlocked at 1-1 following 120 minutes of action.