Chelsea striker Sam Kerr scored the decisive goal to send hosts Australia into the Women’s Asian Cup final, edging past defending champions China 2-1 on Tuesday in Perth.
Kerr’s strike from a tight angle in the 58th minute her fourth of the tournament proved the match-winner in a tense semi-final watched by 35,170 fans on a warm night. The Matildas will face either Japan or South Korea in Saturday’s final in Sydney.
The game got off to a flying start when Arsenal forward Caitlin Foord put Australia ahead in the 17th minute. China responded quickly, with Zhang Linyan converting a penalty, delighting the crowd of flag-waving supporters.
But China couldn’t contain Kerr, whose heroics kept Australia on course for a second continental title after their 2010 triumph. The defending champions’ pursuit of a record 10th crown ended in heartbreak despite taking 14 shots to Australia’s eight.
Chinese coach Ante Milicic, who led the Matildas at the 2019 World Cup, made six changes to the side that had needed extra time to beat Taiwan in the quarter-finals. Star striker Wang Shuang missed the match through suspension after accumulating yellow cards in consecutive games.
Australia welcomed back key defender Steph Catley, returning after missing the quarter-final with a concussion. Coach Joe Montemurro had urged his side to be bold after narrowly overcoming North Korea in the previous round.
Australia came close to the opener when Kaitlyn Torpey whipped in a superb cross from the left, only for Mary Fowler to slice her volley over the bar. China then applied pressure with a defensive press, forcing errors and creating chances, but couldn’t convert.
The Matildas punished China’s lapses when Ellie Carpenter surged down the right flank to find Fowler, who cleverly cut back to Foord for the goal. China leveled through Zhang, who earned a penalty after being fouled by goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold, and fired it past her.
After a tense interval, Kerr’s composure proved decisive. Racing into the box, she evaded goalkeeper Peng Shimeng and slotted home from a sharp angle, sending Australia into the final.