Late equaliser not enough to top group as Matildas bound for Perth

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.

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.

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.

It’s easy to think about the “what-ifs” against Iran - the two goals disallowed for marginal offsides and Australia lost their attacking zeal midway through the second half - but this really dates back to the game against the Philippines and the Matildas’ inability to convert their dominance into more than one goal.

This was a solid performance against a South Korean side that is far superior to their friendly outings against Australia, but it is also a reality check. This tournament will only get more difficult from here, and the Matildas now face another trip across the country carrying the psychological burden of this missed opportunity.

That’s all she wrote. Australia finish as runners-up of Group A and will fly to Perth tomorrow for their quarter-final against either North Korea or China. South Korea, meanwhile, remain in Sydney.

While rushing towards goal she threads a ball for an onside Kerr who, under pressure from two defenders, takes numerous touches. One shifts the ball slightly behind her, and though she must have meant to maintain possession, Kennedy swings her boot through it for an equaliser than is too little too late.

Australia 3-3 South Korea after 90+8 minutes

They no longer need the ball, all they need is to run down these final minutes on the clock. Speaking of the clock, there will be seven minutes of injury-time.

The flag goes up once and then again in quick succession as van Egmond tries to tee up her teammate for an equaliser that would still need another goal to change the outcome of this group. Desperation is in the air. Australia are coming at South Korea’s goal, over and over, but have misplaced their precision and composure.

Australia 2-3 after 88 minutes

Sayer is doing her best but Korea have Australia under control. It must be said that their passing, when on song, is lovely to watch. They come again and Heatley rushes to the byline to clear just in time. It pops back out in front of Arnold’s goal and Sayer, with time to spare, rushes a clearance that falls to an opposing player and forces yet more defending.

The crowd has just been announced as 60,279.

Australia 2-3 South Korea after 77 minutes

Montemurro has opted for Amy Sayer, who scored that spectacular cross-cum-goal against Iran on Thursday, to inject some verve into this slowed-down down contest. She replaces Wheeler.

Australia 2-3 South Korea after 71 minutes