Japan, the defending tournament champion, set up the mouth-watering clash with the Matildas on Sunday morning (AEST) by beating Netherlands 2-1 in their Round of 16 clash on Wednesday (AEST).
It will be the second time in just over a year the two nations have met in a major tournament, Japan having beaten Australia 1-0 in the final of the 2014 AFC Women's Asian Cup last May.
In 2010 the Matildas knocked Japan out at the semi-final stage, by the same scoreline, on the way to claiming the Asian title and an historic first major trophy since Australia joined the Asian Football Confederation in 2006.
That result served to consolidate the burgeoning rivalry between the two footballing nations that has given rise to some epic contests between the two in both the senior men's and women's teams.
Matildas star Katrina Gorry welcomed the prospect of a quarter-final match-up against Japan, writing on Instagram:
"These are the moments we cherish the most. Thank you to everyone who has supported us through this journey so far. Time to write a new chapter. bring on Japan."
Japan sent an omnious warning to its rival, controlling the tempo and possession in its Round of 16 clash against Netherlands from the first minute, the Dutch struggling for ideas at times against an organised defence.
Netherlands did have an early salvo from Sherida Spitse which flew over the bar from 20 metres. But it was Japan which took the lead on through Saori Ariyoshi.
It's 1-0 to #JPN after this Ariyoshi strike!! Watch LIVE on SBS http://t.co/74VKHh6mA9 #SBSTWG #FIFAWWC http://t.co/CbGy36g5A7 — SBS - The World Game (@TheWorldGame) June 24, 2015
Shinobu Ohno and Aya Sameshima interchanged passes but the latter's shot went over the crossbar, and Japan ended the half in the ascendency as Ohno headed narrowly wide of the target.
Great move #JPN! Just lacked the finish!! Watch LIVE on SBS http://t.co/74VKHh6mA9 #SBSTWG #FIFAWWC http://t.co/ApYybCv11j — SBS - The World Game (@TheWorldGame) June 24, 2015
It seemed to be a similar tale after the break as Netherlands' Mandy Van den Berg almost inadvertently turned home an own goal after Nahomi Kawasumi's cross soon after the break.
Gilt-edged openings remained at a premium until Netherlands twice saw the ball cleared off the line as firstly Japan defender Sameshima was saved by a superb block by her own goalkeeper Ayumi Kaihori who made a superb reflex block, with Kirsten Van Den Ven unable to fire through a sea of legs.
It proved a costly miss as Japan doubled its lead within a minute as Mizuho Sakaguchi sweetly fired a shot home from the edge of the penalty area to put a fine flourish on a classily-worked move.
Beautiful finish from Sakaguchi. It's #JPN 2-0 #NED Watch LIVE here http://t.co/74VKHh6mA9 #SBSTWG #FIFAWWC http://t.co/iJrw0eYCHk — SBS - The World Game (@TheWorldGame) June 24, 2015
Van Den Ven pulled a consolation goal back during injury time with a header that Kaihori somehow let through her grasp.
