In news that will shock no-one, Japan has completely dominated possession, with 74 per cent of the ball.

The Nadeshiko have had 14 shots to 3, and have completed 403 passes to 147.

It's incredible they're not further ahead, something will need to change dramatically for South Korea to get back into this game.

Oh another great chance for Japan!

Riko Ueki drives into the penalty area after a magical flicked backheel from Nagano played her in.

However, she slides her effort across the face of goal and wide of the post.

A disappointing end.

More patient build up play. More pressure on South Korea.

And another missed chance for Aoba Fujino, whose powerful shot is saved at the near post.

Takahashi has a go from the edge of the penalty area as a clearance falls kindly for her after some impressively flowing Japanese build up play.

However, it's a weak effort that rolls tamely wide.

And South Korea have made another change at half time.

Choo Hyo-joo is off, with Kang Chae-rim coming on.

ABC Sport expert commentator, and former Matilda Amy Harrison has shared her thoughts at half time.

"(Korean substitute) Ji So-yun will give them that experience, that leadership, that communication that is very much needed," she said.

"Japan will move the ball well, be quick, be aggressive, but they took it to another level tonight.

"This was gonna be their first real genuine test and they've passed it with flying colours and gone to a completely new level.

"South Korea need to come out and pinch a goal, if they concede I think it will be all over."

Our other expert commentator, another former Matilda, Alicia Ferguson, agrees, now that South Korea has changed its formation.

"They've just gotta keep believing that they can nick a goal somehow then they're back in this match," she said.

"I feel like Korea are going to contain them better going back to the 4-4-2, because there was just too much space in the 3-5-2."

VAR did have a look at the penalty that was awarded to China yesterday, and the official correctly deemed that there was enough of a touch by Mackenzie Arnold for the decision not to be overturned.

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It was soft, I don't think there is anyone who is questioning that - but there was contact and if you make contact with a player in the box like that, no matter how minor, it's going to be given as a penalty.

As the ball was played forward by Japan, it hit the arm of Hikaru Kitagawa as she battled for the ball.

It wasn't much of a touch and had very little impact on what she was able to do with the ball, but it was enough for the Video Assistant Referee to call the referee over to the monitor.

Once Veronika Bernatskaia, the Kyrgyzstan referee, went over there, it was just a matter of time before she ruled it out, as seems to be the trend.

I see why it was disallowed, but I didn't like the decision.

This game isn't over yet, but you're right Chris, the way things are going, it's very hard to see anything other than Japan closing it out in the second half.

The Matildas landed in Sydney a couple of hours ago, so no doubt coach Joe Montemurro is watching this game intently.

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They said Japan had not been tested.

They said that they should be judged after they play a team that's more on their level.

Well, at the moment, it doesn't look like there's any team in this tournament that are even close to being on their level.

It has been scintillating stuff from Japan so far.

They've absolutely dominated a Korean team that looks overawed by the beauty of the ball being passed around them in dizzying bursts of speed, and cowed by the intensity of the press that has harried them into near submission.

Had the third goal stood then I think we'd already be saying game over and start fortifying ourselves for what this team could be capable of doing against the Matildas on Saturday night.

But where there is just a two-goal lead there is still hope for Korea, their fleeting chances just enough to provide a slither of a suggestion that their race is not yet run.

This isn't ideal for South Korea.

Ji So-yun is coming on - with Mun Eun-ju making way.

She was collected in a collision where her foot was stood on - accidentally it appeared - and it seems she can't continue.

This game is one well worth following whether or not you have skin in the game and we have a live radio call via ABC Listen.

ABC Sport's Ned Hall is leading our call, with experts Amy Harrison and Alicia Ferguson.

Scroll down to 'listen live' on the ABC Sport homepage, and toggle across to the Asian Cup button, or search for the Asian Cup button at the top of the ABC Listen app.

What a moment that would have been!

The free kick that is belted long towards the edge of the penalty area, Park Soo-jeong takes a touch and passes the ball just wide of the upright!

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Ayaka Yamashita was, once again, nonchalantly unmoved between the sticks as the ball passed perilously close to her goal, but that was close.

Japan are absolutely flying!

Aoba Fujino is played back into space on the left side and this time she gets her curling effort right!

A sensational finish from the Manchester City striker!

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Hang on though - we're going to go for a VAR check...

There is a light brush of the arm of Hikaru Kitagawa in the build up...

Oh surely not?

It's been scrubbed off.

This could be as a result of an injury, but Jeon Yu-gyeong is being withdrawn.

She was stood on earlier in the game accidentally.

And now she's coming off - Son Hwa-yeon comes back on.

Oh Aoba Fujino has made a real meal out of that.

Japan managed to entice Korea away from their box and that allowed space for the Nadeshiko to counter.

Fujino was in so much space on the left side that she could have taken a couple of touches. Instead, she attempts an audacious first-time curling effort with her right foot that flies well wide.

We have waxed lyrically about the Japanese possession - and rightly so.

But Maika Hamano just gave a display of how good they are without the ball too.

Korea threatened to have an overlap and counter down their left side.

But showing a stunning burst of pace, Hamano has caught up over five metres deficit in the space of a 20-metre sprint to steal the ball back.

It's incredible work rate. They're best on field with and without the ball.

We all rightly praised Sam Kerr's brilliance against China last night, but Maika Hamano had her own moment with that second goal.

She had no right to even make it past the two Korean defenders, but she refused to give up, worked her way to a tight angle, and unleashed a super strike to perfection.

The Koreans have dropped to a back four to try and hold off the constant advances and absorb some of the pressure as best as they can.

I know it's early to be talking like this - but this is desperately ominous from Japan.

At the 35-minute mark they have had 77 per cent possession, been accurate with 91 per cent of their passes, had five shots on target from 12 overall.

I don't know if there is a Japanese equivalent for "taking the Mick," but that's what they're doing at the moment.

It has been magical.