Source : ABC NEWS
Alanna Kennedy and Sam Kerr, the team’s top scorer, have scored hypnotic cuts to help the Matildas defeat North Korea 2-1 in their Women’s Asian Cup quarter-final in Perth.
In front of 16, 466 fans at Perth Rectangular Stadium on Friday nights, Kennedy struck in the seventh moment for her second purpose of the game before Kerr made it 2-0 in the 47th moment.
QUICK HITS: Arnold is courageous and brutal as Matildas survive North Korea’s black art.
World No. 9 North Korea dominated the majority of the match, and Chae Un-Yong scored a goal back in the 65th moment.
There were plenty of jittery events from then on for Australia, with keeper Mackenzie Arnold forced to make a series of leaping saves, including one from a 38-yard energy from An Kuk-Hyang.
However, the 2010 warriors held on, allowing for a Tuesday semi-final showdown with either China or Taiwan at Perth Stadium.
The win likewise secured Australia clear qualifier for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.  ,
Australia unleashed only one chance in the first quarter- and fortunately for the guests it was a thing of beauty.
Alanna Kennedy scored her fifth goal in three games. (Getty Images: Paul Kane)
After denying her opposition a piece of control near the corner and sending a mix into the box, Kerr headed the winner.
The game deflected to Kennedy, who gently took a contact with her right finger before firing in a lightning off her remaining from the edge of the box to take the crowd into raptures.
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The rest of the third belonged to North Korea, whose soft passing and pin-point passes caused lots of jittery moments.
In the 26th moment, Arnold had to dive to her returned to keep Kim Kyong-yong’s folder, and the veteran keeper had a second chance when she curled in Chae Un-yong’s tilted shot.
The most anxious time came in the last act of half-time when Hong Song OK’s angled hit beat Arnold before hitting the up and deflecting ahead.
North Korea had 58 percent of the game in the first quarter and had fired in seven photos to one, with Australia having to struggle at times to get the ball past way.
The half-time tear did the world of wonders for the Matildas, with Kerr able to give the home side a 2-0 seat after picking off an accidental go and nailing her left-footed attack from just inside the container.
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Chae Un-Yong resisted the guests, but Mackenzie’s powerful labor between the posts kept Australia together.
Matildas replacement Clare Wheeler was left with blood streaming from near her proper attention when she copped an elbow in the 84th moment, but she was able to play on.
AAP
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Important Events
Matildas vs North Korea
To the semifinals, please!
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It was soul in lips products, but the Matildas ‘ Asian Cup cost continues.
We’ll get back on Tuesday night to show you all the actions, and our website has the most recent Asian Cup information.
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Next up is China or Taiwanese Taipei.
where and who do they enjoy today?
– Josh
Josh, the Matildas may perform their semi-final on Tuesday evening at Perth Stadium at 6pm native time, or 9pm AEDT.
The success of today’s Perth quarter-final between China and Chinese Taipei may be their opponent.
Kennedy the “golden heel”
Alanna Kennedy now has five goals in three matches and told Network 10 even she’s surprised.
” I’m just so glad to contribute to the team and I’m really glad of the performance we put in evening,” I said.” I know it wasn’t on many people’s bingo cards, wasn’t on me.
And Kaitlyn Torpey had a fantastic outing, replacing the concussed Steph Catley at left back. And she gave born ready energy.
” I actually really didn’t want to put to much stress myself, I wanted to enjoy the time, I got to sing in a quarter last of an Asian Cup, not many people can say that and I felt very lucky to do that.
I trained like I’m ready for it whenever I have the chance, and I was prepared for it.
Stat attack
All the stats were in favour of North Korea, except the final scoreline.
They were more in possession, nearly twice as many final third shots, and five times as many shots on target.
They will be filthy they couldn’t come away with the win, while the Matildas can celebrate the power of holding on, hanging tough, and taking the only chances they were offered.
Kerr praises defensive performance
” It was a really good team performance defensively, they’re a good side and they had a lot of the ball and there was a lot of pressure at the end of the game and both halves to be fair.
” I think our mindset today showed that we came out both times and scored early, which allowed us to continue and win the game.
” The crowd was immense today, got us over the line.
” These games are difficult, and it’s advantageous for us to have the home field,” we’re going to need them again in the semi-final.
” We need everyone cheering us on and hopefully they can sell out Perth Stadium.”
The brick wall stands solid again
Well done Matildas! What a blinder from Mackenzie Arnold- she is still the Minister for Defence!
– Mike
Full-time joyous scenes
A late North Korean equaliser felt inevitable in the closing stages at Perth Rectangular Stadium, but somehow, some way, the Matildas held on.
It wasn’t their best or most effective performance at this tournament, but it was their grittiest and most egregious example of the old-fashioned Matildas never say die attitude.
They absorbed so much pressure throughout the entire game, and goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold was the hero making countless saves.
The North Koreans will rue their inability to finish their many quality chances.
With that victory, the Matildas advance to Tuesday’s semi-final in Perth and earn a spot in Brazil’s Women’s World Cup the following year.
That would’ve sapped a lot of energy out of them, but at least they don’t have to travel and get an extra day to rest.
The winner of tomorrow’s QF between China and Chinese Taipei will be their opponent.
As World Cup qualification is secured, there is a sense of relief.
There was a quieter celebration on the bench as the Matildas ran onto the field to celebrate as support staff embraced.
There was a lot on the line for Australia tonight, as much as all the talk was just about getting the win.
A spot in Brazil for the 2027 Women’s World Cup is available.
It’s a semi-final of a home Asian Cup.
FT: Australia 2- 1 North Korea
And breathe.
The ball is shepherded out of play by Ellie Carpenter, and the whistle is blown.
The Matildas are through to the semifinals of the Asian Cup and book their place at next year’s World Cup in Brazil.
North Korea, who dominated the game almost entirely and would have been deserved winners, is extremely harsh.
But Australia, with not much more than 30 per cent of the ball, clung on.
The Matildas made the most of the crucial moments, and they were largely resolute in their defense.
Alanna Kennedy and Sam Kerr with the goals.
Mackenzie Arnold won player of the match in the match.
Heyman enters the game.
This evening, a true captain’s performance from the center-forward.
It’s the 37-year-old Michelle Heyman on in her place.
As Mackenzie Arnold asserts a new cross, more time passes.
Two minutes of stoppage time remain…
Time running out for DPRK
The Matildas are 90+ 4′ and 11 players behind the ball as North Korea attempts what is undoubtedly a richly deserved equalizer.
North Korea sends down an effort from near to half way, looking to catch Mackenzie Arnold out.
However, Arnold is up to the challenge, accumulating in front of her.
And Kim Kyong Yong is doing something slightly silly, coming forward and shoving Arnold in an attempt to get the Australian to restart the game.
More priceless seconds pass away for Australia as Arnold goes down, the whistle is blown, and more.
Stoppage time is something we’re into.
Cooney Cross, Rule enter the game
The move ends with a North Korean throw in their defensive third.
Joe Montemurro turns to his bench once more.
It’s Kyra Cooney-Cross, greeted by a massive roar, who enters the field alongside Charlize Rule.
Alanna Kennedy and Katrina Gorry leave.
The Matildas move to five at the back for the final few minutes.
The dark arts…
Why does Australia let North Korea set the tone? They need to employ some dark arts. Play the game more slowly. Kick the ball out. Get “injured” Goalie time-out. Whatever. Something to upset this frenetic momentum.
– Ingrid
There was some talk pre-match of the North Koreans employing the dark arts for this one, but aside from some physical battles, there hasn’t been anything too untoward.
I doubt the Matildas will go down that route, but they will need to wrest back control or risk conceding an equaliser late.
Wheeler spits up
She rose for a header to Myong Yu Jong, whose elbow landed in her face.
It’s completely accidental from Myong, but she receives a yellow card nonetheless.
The Australian medical team has strapped up Wheeler, and it’s appropriate to continue.
Long-range thinking!
83′ What a hit from North Korean captain An Kuk Hyang!
35 meters away, she collides obliquely with Mackenzie Arnold in a seething effort with a small amount of space.
Arnold is diving low to her left and making a very good save to a very good effort.
16, 466 in Perth Rectangular Stadium
In the 20, 500 seat venue, it’s likely to have a smaller crowd than organizers had anticipated, and it’s far, far smaller than the more than 44-thousand crowd at Perth Stadium for the tournament’s opening game.
If the Matildas hang on, and that’s a big if at the moment, Australia will play at Perth Stadium on Tuesday night. The organizers will face a challenge with that.
The crowds have been healthy across the tournament, but are nowhere near the level seen at Olympic Qualifiers and the Women’s World Cup
A chance for Australia!
Wheeler works a very tempting ball into the area and Amy Sayer is stretching, getting a toe on it, but ultimately unable to direct it towards goal.
Torpey into the book
The resulting free-kick is floated into the area temptingly and just about dealt with by the Matildas.
Ri Song Ho, a North Korean coach, is panted to the camera.
He’s biting his nails.
