Hosts Japan have avenged a pool play defeat against the Hockeyroos to win when it counted in the Four Nations hockey final.
Beaten 2-0 in their opening match, Japan overcame a one goal deficit to clinch the tournament title with a 2-1 win in Ibaraki on Sunday.
The Hockeyroos, who earlier beat South Korea and the USA, applied pressure late with a last gasp penalty corner but were unable to celebrate Jane Claxton's 150th cap in appropriate fashion.
Renee Taylor gave the Australians a third minute-lead via a Claxton pass but Japan equalised before quarter time through Miyu Suzuki.
Mai Toriyama then deflected the match winner home before Japan held a desperate Hockeyroos side at bay for almost 40 minutes.
The world No.3-ranked Australian's next assignment is the Champions Trophy in China in November.
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