Australia 2–1 DPR Korea
By Callum Logie 13/3/26
Above: Four Matildas celebrate after Alanna Kennedy (middle of facing trio) scored tonight against DPR Korea. Photo: Cat Bryant for Impetus.
Australia have advanced to the semi finals of the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup with a 2-1 victory over DPR Korea. Alanna Kennedy’s good goal scoring form continued and was joined on the scoresheet by Sam Kerr, and although the North Koreans did peg one back through Chae Un-Yong, it ultimately was not enough.
This win also sees Australia qualify for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, becoming the second national behind only hosts Brazil to book their place at next year’s tournament.
The game started just as expected, with many physical challenges from both teams marking the first five minutes of the game. Neither team generated any major chances as they were feeling each other out in the early stages.
However, it did not take too long for Australia to open the scoring, doing so in the ninth minute. After winning the ball high up the pitch, Kerr played a low cross toward Emily Van Egmond which then deflected over to Kennedy who steadied herself and drove a shot into the top right corner.
The North Koreans did manage some close chances to equalise at around the half an hour mark – including good chances from both Kim Kyong-Yong and Chae Un-Yong – but some quality goal keeping from Mackenzie Arnold helped the Matildas maintain their slim lead.
DPR Korea went even closer just before half time when a clever turn on the ball from Hong Song-Ok led to DPR Korea hitting the post just before the half-time whistle.
This meant Australia went into half-time with its one goal lead intact, but DPR Korea were determined to equalise heading into the second half.
However, those plans to equalise got even harder mere minutes into the second half when the Matildas doubled their lead.
Home town hero Kerr stepped up after a quick breakaway and Katrina Gorry won the ball high up the field and played in Kerr, who drove a terrific left-footed strike past Yu Son-Gum to double the advantage.
DPR Korea continued to knock on the door though, with a nice piece of control on a half-volley saw Kim Kyong-Yong force a good save out of Arnold again around the hour mark.
The pressure finally paid off for DPR Korea minutes as a well-worked attacking move saw Kim Kyong-Yong play a great low cross to the edge of the six-yard box which found Chae Un-Yong for a tap-in finish.
The North Koreans kept pushing for an equaliser and went close in the 83rd minute but were denied after a world class save from Arnold. A long range effort from An Kuk-Hyang forced a fully stretched save from Arnold who kept her team ahead as it approached the closing stages of the game.
In the eight minutes of stoppage time, DPR Korea kept pushing hard even into the whopping eight minutes of stoppage time and tried to find that crucial equaliser, but Joe Montemurro supplemented the defence with a third centre-back in Charlize Rule which meant the Matildas were able to hold on to the win.
Australia will play the winner of China PR and Chinese Taipei in the semi-finals, who play each other tomorrow in the second of the quarter finals.
Teams: AUSTRALIA (4-3-3): Arnold, Torpey, Hunt, Heatley, Carpenter, Kennedy, Van Egmond, Gorry, Fowler, Foord, Kerr. Substitutes: Wheeler, Rankin, Nevin, Lincoln, Chidiac, Johnson, Sayer, Aquino, Heyman, Cooney-Cross, Rule, McNamara, Siemsen.
Scorers: Kennedy 9′, Kerr 47′.
DPR KOREA (4-4-2): Yu Son-Gum, Ri Myong-Gum, An Kuk-Hyang, Song Chun-Sim, Ri Hye-Gyong, Myong Yu-Jong, Kim Song-Gyong, Hong Song-Ok, Chae Un Yong, Han Jin-Hong, Kim Kyong-Yong. Substitutes: Pak Ju-Mi, Kim Jong-Sun, Ri Kum-Hyang, Hwang Yu-Yong, Pom-Mi Jo, Oh Sol-Song, Jon Ryong-Jong, Kim Hye-Yong, An Pok-Yong, Choe Il-Son, Ri Hak, Sin Hyang, Ri Song A.
Scorers: Chae Un-Yong 65′.
Referee: Veronika Bernatzkaia (Kyrgyzstan)
Attendance: 16,466
Follow Impetus on social media –
TikTok: @impetusfootball
Instagram: @impetusfootball
Share this:
impetusfootball.org 