BY OSABUOHIEN VIVIAN-ROSE
Australia became the first team to secure a spot at next year’s Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
The 2023 co-hosts secured their spot at the tournament after beating Korea DPR 2-1 in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup quarter-finals, on Friday, a result that also sent them into the Asian Cup semi-finals.
All Asian Cup semi-finalists earn automatic berths to the global showpiece, with the losing quarter-finalists to play off for two more spots on the Gold Coast next week.
Australia midfielder Alanna Kennedy scored her fifth goal at this year’s Asian Cup in the ninth minute against the North Koreans, while captain Sam Kerr doubled the Matildas’ lead just after the break before Chae Un-Yong pulled one back.
Australia will meet the winners of the match between defending champions China and Taiwan, who clash at the same Perth Rectangular Stadium on Saturday.
“I felt it was a really good team performance, defensively,” said Kerr. “The crowd was immense today, got us over the line. We’re going to need them again in the semi-final.”
Kennedy has been in impressive form for the 2010 champions and capitalised after Kerr dispossessed opposing captain An Kuk-Hyang on the right edge of the penalty area.
Kerr’s cut-back was intercepted but the clearance fell to Kennedy who lashed a fierce strike from the edge of the box inside the right post.
Kerr made it two in the 47th minute, capitalising on a defensive blunder before hammering a rising left-footed shot past the goalkeeper.
North Korea got their consolation goal in the 65th minute when Kim Kyong-Yong’s cross found Chae who slid the ball home.
Midfielder Emily van Egmond equalled Clare Polkinghorne as Australia’s most-capped player after making her 169th appearance.
FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 will be The Matildas’ ninth tournament appearance, having qualified for every edition since 1995.
