Australia coach Tom Sermanni ranked Australia's AFC Women's Asian Cup triumph as the highlight of his career after his side beat DPR Korea 5-4 on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra-time at Chengdu Sports Centre.

Sam Kerr, one of two 16-year-olds in the Australia squad, put the 'Matildas' ahead after being set up by Clare Polkinghorne in the 19th minute. DPR Korea, the 2008 champions, equalised in the 73rd minute through midfielder Jo Yun-mi, the 23-year-old MVP of the tournament.

After 120 minutes of play could not separate the two sides, Yu Song-mi's missed spot kick proved crucial as Australia converted all their penalties to seal an historic first Asian triumph.

Sermanni's managerial career has spanned two decades and taken him from Japan to America, but the Scot, who led Australia to the quarter-finals of the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup, believes this success is the best yet.

"I'm incredibly proud of my players. They've continued to surprise me with their ability, commitment and effort," said Sermanni, whose second stint as coach of the 'Matildas' began in January 2005.

"For us, this is the best result we've ever had. Given the set of circumstances for us when we came into the tournament, and to come and perform as we did, this would be the biggest highlight of my career so far."

For Sermanni and several of his most experienced players, it was a long-awaited triumph after they lost on penalties to China in the 2006 final in Adelaide, where Australia made their first Women's Asian Cup appearance since joining the AFC.

The victory also signified an end to the dominance DPR Korea and China have enjoyed for over two decades. DPR Korea won three of the last four editions while China lifted the trophy seven straight times from 1986 to 1999 and also in 2006.

Sermanni, though, feels it's too early to rank Australia as Asia's top side.

"It's a bit premature for that," he said. "There are five teams with very little that separate them and I think at this stage that DPR Korea and Japan are the top two teams in Asia."

DPR Korea coach Kim Kwang-min felt a second successive 120-minute match took its toll on his players following the gruelling semi-final against hosts China, which was decided by Kim Kyong-hwa's 109th-minute strike.

"I appreciate the effort from my players as they fought hard throughout," Kim said.

"After the semi-final went to extra time, it was difficult for my players in the final because they had played longer. The physical condition of my players after it went to extra-time was not as good as it was before."

Japan beat China for World Cup berth

Australia and DPR Korea had booked the AFC’s first two places at next year's World Cup in Germany and were joined by Japan after the Nadeshiko beat China 2-0 in the third-place playoff.

Striker Kozue Ando scored in the 18th minute and legendary midfielder Homare Sawa added a second in the 62nd minute to book Japan a place in their fifth successive World Cup.

Ando collected the top scorer award after the 27-year-old Duisburg forward bagged three goals in Chengdu. Sawa, Jo and Korea Republic striker Yoo Young-a also scored three times, but Ando scooped the accolade for providing more assists.

Japan coach Norio Sasaki was delighted his side were able to bounce back after the disappointment of their 1-0 semi-final defeat to Australia.

"All the players did their best and had a strong mind and spirit. We recovered our mental and physical condition after the semi-final defeat against Australia," said Sasaki, who in February led Japan to their second straight EAFF Women's Championship title.

"We represent Asia and football from this region is getting better. We hope we can play well at the World Cup."

China are the only Asian team to have competed at the first five Women's World Cups and the disappointment of missing out for the first time led coach Shang Ruihua to suggest he would step down.

"I am already over 60 years old and my tenure as head coach has always been a transitional one," said Shang, whose side were handed the Fair Play Award.

"We could not qualify for the World Cup and I feel it's quite reasonable for me to leave the team. I feel very sorry for the fans of the Chinese women's football team."