PR China 1-2 Australia
By Alyce Collett 17/3/2026
Above: Caitlin Foord celebrates after scoring tonight for Australia. Photo: Cat Bryant for Impetus.
Australia is through to the final of the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup after a hard fought 2-1 win over China in tonight’s semi final.
It was not easy for the Matildas, but much like their Quarter Final win over DPR Korea, small moments were all the tournament hosts needed to get ahead on the scoreboard. An early goal from Caitlin Foord was quickly equalised by Zhang Linyan, before some magic from Sam Kerr in the second half got the Australians over the line.
The opening exchanges were a little bit cagey at times with both sides sizing each other up.
However Australia was the side to get the first dangerous shot on goal, with it coming in the fifth minute. Unfortunately for its fans, Mary Fowler’s shot was ultimately too powerful, sailing over the top of the net.
Despite the Matildas being the ones to get that first shot away, it was the Steel Roses who then started to take control of attacking momentum as the half progressed, with the likes of Wurigumula certainly giving Mackenzie Arnold and the rest of the Australian defence plenty to think about.
But all the Matildas needed was one opportunity, and against the run of play Foord opened the scoring almost 20 minutes in.
In a passage of play that all started with a cross from Ellie Carpenter, the ball was then worked to Mary Fowler, who then passed on to Foord who struck the ball beautifully with her first touch.
However the Matildas did not have the lead for even 10 minutes, after Zhang Linyan perfectly converted a penalty she won after contact in the box from Arnold.
It was certainly a fiery first half – particularly as it progressed – with neither side afraid of exerting a little aggression in their quest to win.
PR China did dominate much of the attacking play for the remainder of the first half, but thankfully for the home fans they could not add a second goal, so the score remained level at the break.
The Steel Roses again did much of the attacking early in the second half, but much like early in the first half all the Matildas needed was one opportunity, which they did take to retake the lead.
After some brilliant work from Kaitlyn Torpey in the centre of the park, the ball eventually made its way to Kerr who worked the ball around Chinese goal keeper Peng Shimeng and into the back of the net from the tightest of angles.
Despite conceding again PR China certainly did not give up trying to equalise for a second time, with second half substitute Jin Kun in particular looking lively.
However, a strong and attentive defensive performance from the tournament hosts denied the reigning champions a second equalising goal and ended their tournament.
Teams: PR CHINA (4-4-2): Peng Shimeng, Chen Qiaozhu, Wu Haiyan, Yao Wei, Zhang Chengxue, Wang Yanwen, Wang Aifang, Zhang Linyan, Zhang Rui, Wurigumula, Shao Ziqin. Substitutes: Zhu Yu, Wang Ying, Wang Linlin, Zhang Xin, Wu Chengshu, Jin Kun, Li Qingtong, Liu Jing, Xie Zongmei, Tang Jiali, Li Mengwen, Chen Chen, Yuan Cong, Lyu Yatong.
Scorers: Zhang Linyan 26’
AUSTRALIA (4-3-3): Arnold, Hunt, Catley, Torpey, Carpenter, Kennedy, Gorry, Cooney-Cross, Fowler, Foord, Kerr. Substitutes: Heatley, Wheeler, Rankin, Nevin, Lincoln, Chidiac, Johnson, Sayer, Aquino, Heyman, Rule, McNamara, Van Egmond, Siemsen, Raso.
Scorers: Foord 17’, Kerr 58’
Referee: Supiree Testhomya (Thailand)
Attendance: 35,170.
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