Australia v South Korea, team lists, live coverage, how to watch, Sam Kerr, Mary Fowler
Australia’s Women’s Asian Cup hopes were given a reality check after the Matildas missed the chance to top their group in a 3-3 draw with South Korea.
The draw, held in front of 60,279 fans at Stadium Australia on Sunday, means the South Koreans advance to the knockout stages as group winners, with Joe Montemurro’s side paying the price for a second-half explosion.
Due to their low goal difference, the Matildas needed to win in Sydney to finish first in Group A, which would allow the host nation the luxury of not having to travel for the remainder of the tournament.
But now Australia will move up to second place and be sent on their way to Perth for a quarter-final against Group B runners-up North Korea or China on Friday.
Alanna Kennedy scored Australia’s third goal at the death.Credit: Getty Images
Matildas finished the first half ahead 2-1 with goals from Sam Kerr and Alanna Kennedy. However, the collapse in the quarter hour after the break paved the way for the South Koreans to score points.
Another source of concern for Montemurro will be the fitness of Steph Catley, who took a cannonball to the head after just six minutes. The left-back was initially cleared to play before Courtney Nevin was substituted following South Korea’s 13th-minute opener.
Centre-back Wini Heatley was caught in the area and the Koreans played behind her, Mun Eun-Ju slotting Jeon Yugyeong’s cross past Mackenzie Arnold.
Australia appeared to have found some fluidity after Montemurro moved Mary Fowler to the left wing and Caitlin Foord to the right midway through the first half. The move opened up the Matildas’ attack and both Fowler and Foord were providers of his side’s first two goals.
Mary Fowler, Sam Kerr and Caitlin Foord weigh in on the 3-3 draw.Credit: Getty Images
Fowler’s cross from across the six-yard box helped set up Kennedy, who put the ball over the line and pulled Australia level in the 32nd minute.
Foord missed several useful opportunities before setting up Kerr in the sixth minute of first-half stoppage time to give the home team a 2-1 lead at half-time. But after doing all the hard work to take the lead, the Matildas couldn’t hold on to it.
Kim Shin-Ji buried a penalty in the 53rd minute after Nevin’s hand blocked Kang Chae-Rim’s shot.
Nevin was upset and looked gun-shy afterward, allowing South Korea to push forward when Kang was given space by left-back to slot past Arnold in the 57th minute.
Kennedy added a second goal in the final stages – his fourth goal of the tournament – but Australia’s response to the hunt for the winner came too late.
