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Agencies

Chelsea striker Sam Kerr scored a stunner to put hosts Australia into the Women’s Asian Cup final with a tense 2-1 victory over defending champions China on Tuesday in Perth.
Kerr fired home from a tight angle in the 58th minute, her fourth goal of the tournament proving the difference in a gruelling semi-final in front of 35,170 fans on a balmy night.
The Matildas will face title favourites Japan or South Korea, who play on Wednesday, in Saturday’s final in Sydney.
The match started at breakneck speed with Arsenal forward Caitlin Foord scoring in the 17th minute.
China levelled shortly after with Zhang Linyan converting a penalty, much to the delight of their flag-waving fans behind the goal.

But China were unable to contain hometown hero Kerr, who ensured Australia remained on track for a second continental title to sit alongside their 2010 triumph.
“I can’t really gather my emotions right now,” Kerr said. “I know we ⁠came in as one of the favourites but we’ve taken the long road to be here and it just feels so ‌good to be here now in the final.
“These girls are like family to me so it would be a dream come true [to win the final].”
China’s bid for a record-extending 10th crown ended in heartbreak and they rued missed opportunities in front of goal after having 14 shots to eight.
“I’m pretty devastated for them because I felt we played a good game,” China head coach Ante Milicic said. “All I asked was for them to give 100 per cent which they did. But in football, the result matters. We didn’t get it tonight.”
Masterminded by Australian Milicic, who coached the Matildas at the 2019 World Cup, China made six changes to the line-up that needed extra time to beat Taiwan in the last eight.
Star striker Wang Shuang missed out through suspension after racking up yellow cards in consecutive matches.
Australia received a boost with key defender Steph Catley included in the starting line-up after missing the quarter-final with concussion.
Montemurro had urged the Matildas to be brave after they were outplayed by North Korea in the quarter-finals but escaped with a 2-1 win.
Australia almost landed the first blow when Kaitlyn Torpey produced a superb cross from the left only for Mary Fowler to slice her volley over the crossbar.
China worked into the game with their defensive press forcing the Matildas into errors.
Midfielder Wurigumula caused havoc but China could not capitalise on a period of dominance.
The Matildas made them pay when Ellie Carpenter stormed down the right flank and found Fowler, who cleverly cut back to Foord.
China responded when Zhang pounced on sloppy Australia defending and she earned a penalty after being taken down by goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold, who was handed a yellow card.
Zhang rifled the penalty kick past Arnold as the intensity started to wane with players from both teams looking gassed by half-time.
It was an arm-wrestle after the interval until an on-rushing Kerr calmly evaded goalkeeper Peng Shimeng and fired in from an acute angle.
Up next for the hosts are either Japan or South Korea, and the former have been the team of the tournament so far, but coach Nils Nielsen’s side will face a stern test of their title credentials.
Still, the two-times champions won all three group games, scoring 17 goals and conceding none, before putting seven past the Philippines in a quarter-final victory on Sunday.
But Nielsen said his side may have to tone down the all-out attacking style that has worked so well for them.
“In general, we have to ‌focus on our all-round game instead of just about how we attack,” he said. “We haven’t had to use it much thus far ‌but we ‌are normally quite disciplined in defending and that will ensure that we don’t get caught ‌out.”


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Asian Football Confederation (AFC)

Women’s Asian Cup: Kerr’s stunner knocks holders China out, sends Australia into final

China’s players gesture to their supporters after the Women’s Asian Cup semi-final against Australia in Perth on Tuesday. Photo: AP

Australia’s Sam Kerr (left) scores the goal that sends her side into the Women’s Asian Cup final. Photo: EPA

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Despite the drama, Sheng Xueli still managed to win the marathon. Photo: Chongqing Athletics Association

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Tyler Kepkay has recently retired for a second time after returning to help Winling in their run to the semi-finals. Photo: Winling

Tyler Kepkay (third from right) was an integral part of the Winling team that won the Senior Shield in 2024. Photo: Winling

Sport

Football

Matildas captain strikes semi-final winner from an ‌acute angle to send hosts through, Japan or South Korea await in final


Matildas captain strikes semi-final winner from an ‌acute angle to send hosts through, Japan or South Korea await in final.


Women’s Asian Cup: Kerr’s stunner knocks holders China out, sends Australia into final

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Matildas captain strikes semi-final winner from an ‌acute angle to send hosts through, Japan or South Korea await in final

Matildas captain strikes semi-final winner from an ‌acute angle to send hosts through, Japan or South Korea await in final