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Goalscoring machine Alanna Kennedy and captain Sam Kerr have produced mesmerising strikes to lift the Matildas to a nervy 2-1 victory over North Korea in their Women’s Asian Cup quarter-final in Perth.
In front of 16,466 fans at HBF Park on Friday night, Kennedy struck in the ninth minute for her fifth goal of the tournament before Kerr made it 2-0 in the 47th minute.
World No.9 North Korea dominated for large parts of the match, and pulled a goal back in the 65th minute via Chae Un-Yong.
There were plenty of nervy moments from then on for Australia, with goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold forced to make a series of diving saves, including one from a 38-yard effort from An Kuk-Hyang.
But the 2010 champions were able to hold on, setting up a semi-final encounter against either China or Taiwan at Optus Stadium on Tuesday.
The win also secured Australia direct qualification for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.
Australia unleashed just one shot in the first half – and luckily for the hosts it was a thing of beauty.
Kerr set up the goal after stripping her opponent of possession near the sideline and firing a cross into the box.
The ball deflected to Kennedy, who calmly took a touch with her right foot before firing in a thunderbolt off her left from the edge of the box to send the crowd into raptures.
The rest of the half belonged to North Korea, whose slick passing and pin-point crosses caused plenty of nervy moments.
Arnold had to dive to her left to save Kim Kyong-yong’s header in the 26th minute, and the veteran goalkeeper was at it again seven minutes later when she blocked Chae Un-yong’s angled strike.
The most nervous moment came in the final act of half-time when Hong Song OK’s angled strike beat Arnold before hitting the upright and deflecting away.
North Korea enjoyed 58 per cent possession in the first half and had fired in seven shots to one, with Australia struggling at times just to get the ball past halfway.
The half-time break did the world of wonders for the Matildas, with Kerr able to give the home side a 2-0 cushion after picking off an errant pass and nailing her left-footed strike from just inside the box.
Chae Un-Yong pulled one back for the visitors, but Mackenzie’s strong work in between the posts ensured Australia held on.
Matildas substitute Clare Wheeler was left with blood streaming from near her right eye when she copped an elbow in the 84th minute, but she was able to play on.
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Match report incoming shortly so you can read all about it. And looking forward to seeing you all again on Tuesday. The opponent will be either China or Taiwan, who play tomorrow night’s geopolitical derby. Advise watching that one. See you next time!
The Matildas are through to the semi-finals of the Asian Cup.
North Korea’s players can’t move. They can hardly bring their heads up to shake the hands of Australia’s players.
The Matildas, though, offer a pumping handshake. The kind that says they have got the job done and can breathe a sigh of relief. That they are into the semis, to be played here in Perth on Tuesday. And that they have also qualified directly for next year’s World Cup in Brazil.
Montemurro is hugging everyone he can find. Everyone else is looking for someone to hug too. This was a big, big challenge for this team, to face a North Korea side they have seen essentially nothing of apart from their three group games. And to play what was in front of them and take the win, in regulation time, if you don’t mind.
The Matildas celebrate their win.Credit: AP
She was running onto the ball but she could have stopped before touching Arnold, and she most definitely didn’t need to put her palms out and push the goalkeeper to the ground. Kim falls to the ground herself after her random display of aggression, and Arnold takes her time to milk it.
As this is all happening, Kerr takes her leave and is replaced by Michelle Heyman, who pumps up the crowd. Can she score before this is over? She’ll need the ball to be up the right end of the pitch!
Australia 2-1 North Korea after 90+6 minutes
This is risky business. The Matildas have five at the back now, with the aim of just hanging in there until that sweet sound of the fulltime whistle. Arnold makes yet another save, and must feel like she’s back playing for West Ham. North Korea have taken 19 shots to Australia’s four. This is ridiculous.
Australia 2-1 North Korea after 90+3 minutes
Nervous Matildas fans watch stoppage-time tick down.Credit: Getty Images
Kyra Cooney-Cross replaces Gorry and earns a massive cheer from the crowd, which is really nice support. Kennedy also departs – with another goal under her belt – to make way for Charli Rule.
Australia 2-1 North Korea after 90 minutes
She leapt to contest a ball just as Myong came flying in with the same idea. There’s a fair bit of blood coming from her eyebrow, and the medics are straight on to patch her up. Wheeler runs back on with her headband. For a moment I thought Australia might have a third concussion on their hands this tournament.
Australia 2-1 North Korea after 86 minutes
I repeat, the Matildas are still ahead. They are hanging in there, chasing every ball and marking every attacker. All the action is happening in Australia’s third but they are not giving up. Had North Korea been a little more precise with their finishing, they’d be ahead by now. But are they maybe tiring slightly? Has all this pressing taken its toll?
Makenzie Arnold makes a save.Credit: AP
Kennedy is clapping her hands in encouragement. Hang in there for 15 more minutes and it’s semi-final time. Another quarter-final exit from an Asian Cup would be devastating, and put their 2027 World Cup qualification at risk.
Official crowd at HBF Park is 16,466. It’s announced just as Australia make a rare counter-attack. Kerr dashes forward and, surrounded by defenders, offloads to Foord who passes into the box for Sayer. She is just out of reach at full stretch to bury it. A rare chance gone.
Australia 2-1 North Korea after 78 minutes
