Women’s Asian Cup: Matildas take on North Korea for spot in semifinal
The Matildas are missing two stars as their Asian Cup title hopes go on the line against North Korea in Perth.
Hayley Raso and Steph Catley have both failed to overcome concussions in time for the quarterfinal clash.
However, hometown hero Sam Kerr has shown strong form and will hope to lead her side on to the semifinals next week.
Follow all the live action from Perth with our blog.
Comeback?
North Korea are attempting to mount a charge but Arnold is standing up well.
Her distribution has been suspect tonight but her saves have been strong.
She is down with some cramp and the physio is giving her some attention.
AUS 2 - PRK 0 62’
Hometown hero!!!!
Kerr makes it five Perth games in a row with a goal!
And the crowd has errupted.
It was a sloppy start from Australia from the second half kick off but North Korea topped it.
A poor pass allowed Kerr to apply pressure and steal the ball back.
And this time, she was the only one putting it in the net with a superb finish.
AUS 2 - PRK 0 47’
Halftime
After two added minutes, the Australians take a one-goal advantage into the break.
Australia dominated the bookends of the half but North Korea showed enough through the middle stages to suggest the home side need at least one more goal to make sure they make a semifinal.
Especially after a late strike from Korea grazed the post for a narrow miss.
North Korea have four shots on target from their eight attempts while the Matildas registered just one shot, the goal.
AUS 1 - PRK 0
Fighting back
Australia may hold the lead but they are just starting to fight back in the possession battle.
They are getting the ball higher up the pitch and the North Koreans don’t have as much skill in their defence as they do in the front third.
A second before the break would help Montemurro, who has been animated, breath easier.
AUS 1 - PRK 0 44’
Korea on top
The North Koreans are making the Matildas work.
Kyong Yong forced a strong save from Arnold with a header towards the bottom right corner that with a little more power would have seen the back of the net.
The Australians are tackling well but it feels like they are on the back foot at the moment.
They also lack a midfield connection to bring Kerr and Foord into the action.
AUS 1 - PRK 0 29’
Ouch!
Hunt has copped a boot to the head.
North Korea have put some seriously threatening balls into the box and the Matildas have just seen them off.
This time Hunt put her head on the line and copped a high boot for her troubles.
The Koreans are not messing around.
AUS 1 - PRK 0 23’
Bench stars
Raso and Catley may have been ruled out tonight but some air time on the big screen as drawn a huge cheer.
They both looked a little sheepish but Catley gave the fans a wave.
AUS 1 - PRK 0 16’
Aussie, Aussie, Aussie!!!
Kennedy gets the Matildas on the board with a breathtaking strike from the edge of the box, but it all started with Kerr.
The long ball forward missed the mark but the WA girl went and won it back.
Her cross was also wayward but Kennedy got it back and moved the ball to her left foot before a perfect strike into the back of the net - just as she did during warm-ups.
A VAR check is quick and the goal stands!
AUS 1 - DRK 0 9’
First chance
North Korea creat the first scoring chance with a nice cross into the box from wide.
The striker gets her head to the ball but it sails well over the bar.
However, the Aussies were caught napping and Arnold hesitated.
AUS 0 - PRK 0 5’
Kick off
The North Koreans get us underway as the green and gold fans make their presence felt.
Can Australia get the job done?
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