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Agence France-Presse

Associated Press

In-form Alanna Kennedy and skipper Sam Kerr produced spectacular strikes as Australia overcame a talented North Korea 2-1 to reach the semi-finals of the Women’s Asian Cup on Friday.
Kicking off the knockout phase, the Matildas were outplayed by their youthful opponents for large chunks of a tense match in front of 16,466 fans at Perth Rectangular Stadium.
But they took their chances with Kennedy firing her fifth tournament goal with a left-foot bullet from the edge of the box in the ninth minute.
Hometown hero Kerr similarly hit the target on her left boot just after half-time before North Korea clawed back through Chae Un-yong in the 65th minute.
Australia hung on, with the victory ensuring their direct qualification for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.

They will next play the winner of defending champions China and Chinese Taipei, who are set for a charged quarter-final in Perth on Saturday.
“For me, they are the best team in the tournament,” Australia head coach Joe Montemurro said of North Korea. “We just had to be methodical and resist.”
While North Korea’s hopes of a fourth Asian Cup title are over, they will be thrown into a play-in on March 19 to determine the final two automatic spots for the World Cup.
“We got valuable experience for our development and journey to (qualifying for) the World Cup,” North Korea head coach Ri Song-ho said.
The tempestuous North Korea did heed their vow of no more sidelines protests after their final group game against China descended into farce when they refused to play for several minutes because of a VAR decision.
They applied severe pressure on an Australian side under scrutiny after an indifferent start to the tournament.
The three-time champion North Koreans had almost two-thirds of possession and played at a high tempo to keep the Australians unsettled, but were not able to convert their glut of scoring opportunities into more goals against a stubborn Matildas’ defence.

The North Koreans had 21 shots at goal and 10 on target but could not capitalise. Australia turned their only two shots on target into goals.
The Matildas had to make the long journey across the country after failing to beat South Korea in their final group match in Sydney.
They were also without star duo Hayley Raso and Steph Catley because of concussion.
A pumped-up North Korea, whose players roared in unison just ahead of kick-off, almost silenced the partisan crowd early when Kim Kyong-yong’s header narrowly missed the target.
Kerr ignited Australia with a brilliant defensive effort to pinch the ball off An Kuk-hyang on the right touchline, leading to Kennedy breaking the deadlock.
But an undaunted North Korea completely dominated through to the interval.
They looked most dangerous down the right flank with several lovely crosses rattling Australia’s defence.
The Matildas could not clear the ball, with goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold forced into action on several occasions.

Hong Song-ok came agonisingly close before half-time when she shook clear with a sublime swivel before her shot crashed into the left post.
The break came at a good time for the Matildas, with Kerr pouncing on a rare defensive lapse before Chae breathed life into the contest.
North Korea pressed in a nerve-jangling finish but could not crack an equaliser.
In the other quarter-finals, South Korea face Uzbekistan at Stadium Australia in a night match in Sydney after China and Chinese Taipei meet in Perth.
Japan head into their match-up against the Philippines on Sunday with three wins from three games and a tournament-leading 17 goals without conceding.


Australia edge North Korea to reach Women’s Asian Cup semi-finals, clinch World Cup berth

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Asian Football Confederation (AFC)

Australia’s Alanna Kennedy (right) scores her team’s first goal from the edge of the box in their Women’s Asian Cup quarter-final win over North Korea in Perth on Friday. Photo: AP

Australia’s Sam Kerr scores her team’s second goal just after half-time. Photo: AP

Chae Un-yong (right) pulls one back for North Korea, but it was not enough. Photo: AP

Goal scorer Chae Un-yong reacts after the final whistle as Australia celebrate. Photo: AFP

North Korean goalkeeper You Son-gum (top) fails to stop Chen Qiaozhu (3) scoring her team’s first goal in China’s 2-1 group match win on Monday. Photo: AP

China coach Ante Milicic says Chinese Taipei will be a “tough proposition”. Photo: Xinhua

Chinese Taipei celebrate with supporters after their win over India in Sydney on Tuesday. Photo: EPA

Wales boss Craig Bellamy backs England to win World Cup, says not interested in Celtic job

Wales boss Craig Bellamy has back England to win the World Cup and said he was not interested in taking the Celtic job. Photo: Nora Tam

Craig Bellamy helps conduct the draw for this year’s HKFC Standard Chartered Soccer Sevens. Photo: Nora Tam

Sport

Football

Matildas outplayed by their youthful opponents but take their only chances, will face either holders China or Chinese Taipei in last four


Matildas outplayed by their youthful opponents but take their only chances, will face either holders China or Chinese Taipei in last four.


Australia edge North Korea to reach Women’s Asian Cup semi-finals, clinch World Cup berth

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Matildas outplayed by their youthful opponents but take their only chances, will face either holders China or Chinese Taipei in last four

Matildas outplayed by their youthful opponents but take their only chances, will face either holders China or Chinese Taipei in last four