Australia’s Women’s Asian Cup hopes have been handed a reality check after the Matildas blew the chance to top their group in a 3-3 draw with South Korea.
The draw 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 implosion.
Owing to their inferior goal difference, the Matildas needed to win in Sydney to finish first in Group A, which would have afforded the host nation the luxury of not having to travel for the remainder of the tournament.
But now Australia will advance in second place and will be sent on the road to Perth for a quarter-final against the runner-up of Group B – either North Korea or China – on Friday.
Alanna Kennedy scores Australia’s third goal at the death.Credit: Getty Images
The Matildas led 2-1 at halftime courtesy of goals from Sam Kerr and Alanna Kennedy that had them in the box seat. But a collapse in the quarter of an hour after the break paved the way for the South Koreans to claim a point.
Of further concern for Montemurro will be the fitness of Steph Catley, who wore a cannoning shot to the head after just six minutes. The left-back was initially cleared to play on before going off for Courtney Nevin after South Korea’s 13th minute opener.
Centre back Wini Heatley was caught upfield and the Koreans played in behind her, with Mun Eun-Ju tucking a Jeon Yugyeong cross past Mackenzie Arnold.
Australia looked to have found some fluency after Montemurro switched Mary Fowler to the left flank and Caitlin Foord to the right midway through the first half. The move opened up the Matildas’ attack and both Fowler and Foord were the providers for their side’s first two goals.
Mary Fowler, Sam Kerr and Caitlin Foord process the 3-3 draw.Credit: Getty Images
Fowler’s cross across the six-yard box helped set up Kennedy, who bundled the ball over the line in the 32nd minute to pull Australia level.
Foord blew a couple of handy chances before she set up Kerr in the sixth minute of first-half stoppage time to give the home side a 2-1 lead at the break. But after doing all the hard work to take the lead, the Matildas couldn’t hold on to it.
Kim Shin-Ji buried a 53rd minute penalty after Nevin’s hand blocked a Kang Chae-Rim shot.
Nevin was crestfallen and appeared gun-shy afterwards which allowed South Korea to push ahead when Kang was given space by the left-back to fizz a 57th minute shot past Arnold.
Kennedy added a second – her fourth goal of the tournament – in the dying stages but Australia’s response in search of a winner came all too late.
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