South Korea 1 Japan 4

Sydney relies on good weather to host a good event, but as many weddings, birthdays and beach parties have seen sunshine replaced by late afternoon rain on a balmy autumn day, some of the best events take place when everyone comes together thanks to the elements. As the drizzle started over an hour from kick off, workers running to cover the DJ decks and rain drifting into the upper reaches of the stands, outside in the precinct the fans were taking cover under the newly erected giant marquee and taking advantage of the purple gym towels being handed out at the Health Hub to keep dry. But they were undeterred. By the start of the pre-game sequence in the stadium, the north end was busy with South Korea fans, not a sign of their Japanese counterparts.

The Welcome to Country by the rather relaxed Uncle was an unfortunate inaudible waffle mentioning K-Pop and J-Pop, but the crowd warmed to the unexpected fireworks display that followed, the rain having now stopped and we had a perfect night for football on our hands. The wind blew the smoke quickly away leaving us with a clear stadium for the immaculate national anthems, South Korea’s We’ll Support You Ever More sung in an operatic style followed by a Sarah Brightman Phantom of the Opera number for Japan. The Japan fans piped up immediately with a shout of Nippon Nippon, but they would be heavily outnumbered today.

Aoba Fujino smashed in the first shot of the game, deflected wide for a corner and Yui Hasegawa’s cross caused utter panic in the South Korea penalty area but the defence scrambled the ball away. The Korean fans were loud, they were numerous, and when they grouped in together, they were a wall of red. Contrast that to the group of ten Japan fans with their drum at the opposite end, and it was clear who was the home team. Japan should have scored when they worked a beautiful opening across the box for a fierce shot – Kim Minjung made the save but only into the path of the darling of Japanese football Yui Hasegawa who could only fire wide of the gaping goal.

Riko Ueki rifled a shot wide as Japan kept up the pressure, their opponents doing themselves no favours with their sloppy clearances. Hana Takahashi got on the end of another exquisite Yui Hasegawa corner but it was easy for Kim Minjung. Aoba Fujino fired in a shot on the run that Ko Yoo Jin did well to block before Fuka Nagano pounced on a clearance at the edge of the box but could only screw the shot harmlessly wide. This was a physical game, the referee letting play go on despite some meaty challenges, but she had to stop play with Japan on the break when the ball struck her, much to the annoyance of the all-blue Japanese players. When South Korea dallied in defence, Kim Shinji was far too slow to offload and she had her pocket picked by Fuka Nagano, who squared to Riko Ueki for a simple finish under Kim Minjung for 1-0.

Just as the neutral in the crowd began to wonder how many Japan would rack up against their luminous orange opponents, a loose ball dropped invitingly for Park Soo Jeong, who steadied herself and rifled a shot just past the post – a warning shot. Don’t discount the South Koreans just yet. Aoba Fujino was next to test the Korean rearguard, smashing a shot just over from the edge of the area to oohs from the totally enthralled fans. A moment of pure magic made it two, Hikaru Kitagawa’s cross was too long but Maika Hamano scampered after the ball, pursued by two defenders. She somehow tricked her way out of the challenge and took two steps towards goal, unleashing an unstoppable shot from the acute angle to burst the roof of the net. What a goal! South Korea did venture forward, Choo Hyojoo showing good feet to make space for a shot, but the ball sailed harmlessly over Ayaka Yamashita’s goal.

Japan were relentless. Yui Hasegawa had the ball on a string, and from her cross, Aoba Fujino had the ball in the net with a close-range header but this time she was offside and the Korean fans roared with a mixture of relief and delight. This was a bombardment, South Korea were receiving back what they had delivered to Uzbekistan in the quarter finals, and the sight of their defence under siege had the Australian fans watching on wide-eyed at the prospect of Japan overrunning the Matildas on Saturday evening back at this grand stadium. The huge wall of red continued to support their heroes, even as Aoba Fujino curled one just around the post. South Korea went to their bench early to try and soak up the attacks, but when Riko Ueki raced on to a loose ball up the line, her pinpoint pass inside found Aoba Fujino and the curling finish past Kim Minjung was sublime. But wait, a VAR check, and in a perfect move for the neutral, an earlier handball was spotted and a fabulous goal was ruled out, again to a huge roar from the South Korean fans. The resulting free kick gave Park Soo Jeong a sniff at goal, her shot from the edge of the area dropping just past the post with Ayaka Yamashita untroubled.

The half ended as it started, Japan pouring on the pressure, South Korea forced to their bench again after an injury to Mun Eunju and the half-time whistle sounded in a moment of confusion, neither referee nor assistant willing to make a call as to which way the throw-in was being awarded. This had been a fantastic half of football, flowing with little input from the referee and two strong, physical teams going head to head with so much at stake. The Japanese fans at the South end grew in numbers, the Aussie kids deciding they needed help, while the drummers bashed away in the Korean end competing with the thumping stadium music. We had a half-time performance, a drumming troupe that was complemented perfectly by the South Korean drum squad dressed in white in the middle of the sea of red.

South Korea were forced into another change at half time, their third as Kang Chaerim came on to try and change the game. They were enlivened too, Japan’s first attack a horribly scuffed shot by Hana Takahashi although South Korea were guilty of over-playing after they had done so well to get rare moments of possession. A beautiful lay-off by Riko Ueki set Fuka Nagano away for a one-on-one with Kim Minjung but she never looked confident and dragged the shot hopelessly wide of the post. Japan were calm in possession, despite their opponents fizzing about in hot pursuit; it was difficult to see how South Korea would get anything out of this game at all. They started to take more risks, leaving more orange shirts further upfield, but what else could they do?

Park Soo Jeong raced up the left, but her cross was well smothered by Ayaka Yamashita, South Korea giving their vocal fans a thrill, but again Japan threatened and it seemed like a matter of time before Japan added to their tally to make their passage to the final more comfortable. Riko Ueki’s bullet header from a corner struck the bar, before clever close control by Kim Hyeri earned South Korea a free kick. They sent everyone up and wasted the free kick, but managed to win a corner, the stadium coming to life as Kim Hyeri swung in the cross, but Ayaka Yamashita leapt to snatch the ball out of the air to quell the excitement. South Korea had upped their game. They chased and hassled, leaving themselves exposed but playing with sharp precision to get out of trouble at the back. Every mis-placed pass by Japan had the noise levels at maximum, and when Kim Hyeri launched a free-kick into the Japan penalty area, the screams were piercing.  

A third goal did arrive, a corner from the right tempting Kim Minjung out of goal and Saki Kumugai had the simplest of headers into an empty net for 3-0. The goalscorer was delighted and raced to the sideline for high fives from the whole squad. Japan had seemingly stamped their ticket to the final, but South Korea had other ideas, Kang Chaerim starting and finishing a move with an unbelievable turn and shot from the edge of the area that squeezed past Ayaka Yamashita for 3-1. The stadium was bouncing, all of a sudden Japan were under pressure and South Korean tails were up. The result was though put beyond doubt when Japan counter-attacked with ruthless simplicity, Manaka Matsukubo finding the perfect pass to Remina Chiba in space on the left, who advanced and rifled her shot past Kim Minjung for 4-1. The Korean fans had already seen their goal though, and they were in full voice despite their team effectively dead and buried.

The crowd figure of 17,367 was no disgrace, the Korean fans making all the noise, and the volume was taken up a further notch when Choe Yuri wriggled through but could only shoot straight at the Japanese goalkeeper. A fifth goal was quite rightly chalked off for offside, Hana Takahashi going for power with a cross-shot, but Yuzuki Yamamoto was offside when she bravely headed the fierce cross into the net. There was time for Choe Yuri to threaten again, her pass inside finding Kang Chaerim but the shot was saved. South Korea were by now leaving massive holes in defence, but it was all in context; they had to be applauded for making a game of it in the second half and they kept the game exciting despite the scoreline. A late late unexpected VAR call had the Korean fans frothing, the referee disappearing to the monitor when we had all expected the final whistle. There was such disappointment when the arm was raised for offside instead of pointing for the penalty.

Japan decided they needed to run down the rest of the time in the corner flag, the stadium bursting into blaring music at full-time to drown out the South Korean fans and the celebrating pack of Japanese fans. Both sets of players kept to themselves after the formal handshakes, the Japanese squad forming a tight circle and the South Korean fans disappearing behind the goal to salute their fabulous fans. This was a farewell, every Korean fan applauding as the players left the field, while their victorious opponents bowed respectfully to their fans from a distance. The stadium was virtually empty by the time the Japanese players left the field, the camera crews working them into orderly lines to bow before their few fans scattered throughout the stadium.

Heavyweights Japan had cruised into the AFC Women’s Asian Cup final, South Korea made to look like a lowly ranked outsider, but we can be thankful to the gracious Korean team for making a contest of it in the second half, as well as for their colourful and boistrous fans. We have two fascinating play-off matches to come first, but this weekend’s final is going to be an incredible occasion – Australia yet to play to their full potential up against the well-oiled machine of Japan, who just look imperious. Cancel all plans for Saturday – if the Matildas win this one, they’re going to pull off something special at Stadium Australia that the country will be talking about for years to come.

Japan 7 Philippines 0

Japan’s quarter-final clash at Stadium Australia was meant to be the day after the Matildas own Sydney quarter-final, and many tickets would have been sold in anticipation of rounding off a smashing weekend of top-flight international football. While this may have been a mitigating factor in the low numbers inside and outside the stadium in the lead up to kick off, the nearby CommBank Stadium may well have been a more appropriate venue for this game in the first place. The attendances at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 have been the source of much conjecture; indeed, with fifteen minutes to kick off, there was no bank of Japanese fans to emulate South Korea’s barmy army, and there was little to suggest that the Philippines would have any active support whatsoever. Anyone attending today’s game would be expecting nothing less than a avalanche of Japanese goals, but Chinese Taipei’s sterling effort in Perth had given everyone hope that a surprise result was still possible in this stacked competition.

The welcome to country with 13 minutes to kick-off, the real-life version only reserved for Australia games, we were now in familiar territory, although the long snaking flag-bearing team were missing until That’s How We Win filled the stadium with booming bass. The familiar Hell’s Bells tolled in the unfurling, followed by the heartbeat and the entrance of the players. The Philippines massive were in at the south end of the stadium, with colourful dancers in elaborate head-dress, the smoke pop was superb, the cello-heavy Japanese anthem, a la Phantom of the Opera bringing a cheer of Nippon, Nippon from the small bank of Japan fans at the north end. The Philippines military oompah was sung with joy by the players and fans and the team went to the centre of their half for their solo huddle as the whole Japan squad assembled in a strange almond-shape for their final pep talk.

Sunshine bathed one half of the playing surface, Japan’s left side doing all their hard work in the direct sunlight. A cross from Risa Shimizu was flicked wide for the first half-chance, but this didn’t strike as much of a mis-match as yesterday’s South Korea vs Uzbekistan quarter-final. Japan threatened, Honoka Hayashi at the heart of everything good, Nina Meollo palming away her shot from the edge of the area after a neat corner routine. A stoppage for Mallie Ramirez took the wind out of Japan’s sails, both teams retreating to their technical areas to receive instructions. The all-white Philippines called on the bench with less than ten minutes gone, the injury-struck Ramirez off for Chandler McDaniel and Japan immediately stepped on the gas to force the all-important opening goal. They were patient, moving the ball around just outside the penalty area until the opening was manufactured, the Philippines defenders having to be on constant alert to the cut-back from the byline.

The game was being played against a background of a low hum from the crowd, pierced by intermittent drumming from either end and the odd shout of Nippon Nippon. Hayashi curled a cross deep from the left that Meollo did well to claim, and a cross from the right by Kiko Seike was hacked away for a corner from underneath the bar. This was intense pressure, the all-blue Japanese team going in for the kill, but maintaining their structure and patience. Shimizu crossed for Mina Tanaka but the powerful header was over the bar. Twenty minutes in with no goals, but Malea Cesar could do nothing but play the ball straight out of play with no options to ease the pressure. Hinata Miyazawa’s header was well stopped by Meollo after good work on the right had carved out the opportunity. This was intriguing. The Philippines players could only boot the ball away into touch to earn a few seconds’ respite from the bombardment.

The unlucky fans on the eastern side of the stadium squinted and baked their way through the action, most of the fans taking refuge at both ends in the shade. Seike crossed from the right but there was no touch to guide it goalwards; Japan had to keep their nerve. They started to shoot from distance, Hayashi and Aoba Fujino going close with long-range efforts, but the attack vs defence training ground continued. Yui Hasegawa was denied by Meollo’s reactions after fine work on the right by Seike and she watched her snapshot roll wide after reacting quickly from the rebound. There was no surprise when Meollo went down to buy some time, both squads assembling again on the touchline; if the Philippines were goin to pull off the miracle of all miracles, they would have to dig deep into their box of dark arts.   

When Miyabi Moriya played a cross straight out of play following a patient build-up there were signs of frustration, but Moriya nearly made amends with a thumping shot that only just cleared the bar. Hali Long brought down Tanaka and Japan had a good position to test their set-piece prowess. A move straight from training saw Aoba Fujino lash a ball goalwards after two tidy touches had given her an eye on goal, but Meollo was equal to it. Hasegawa fired over when a headed clearance fell her way; she looked to the skies for inspiration. Hayashi had two bites at a shot from the edge of the area, but Meollo got down well again to smother.  Passes started to go astray, Japan’s patience was being tested as they continued to stroke the ball around from right to left and back with no way through.

The advent of half-time is often the time when the banks are breached in these games, and that’s how it turned out. Toko Koga’s effort on goal was brilliantly saved, Fujino couldn’t force the ball over Meollo, who tipped the ball onto the bar but Tanaka showed great courage and anticipation to force the ball over the line with a diving header. VAR couldn’t find anything with the incident-filled lead-up, and Tanaka almost had a second when Meollo dived full-length to tip the ball past the post. It was two though when Koga was given the freedom of the six-yard box to leap and thump in a header from another corner from the left. She was delighted and her teammates made a fuss, the defender all smiles as she retreated back to her usual position at the back. Hasegawa’s low shot ended the action in the first half, Meollo saving at the second attempt, and Koga was still beaming as she headed down the tunnel.

The majority of the fans in the eastern stand had conceded defeat and were streaming for the shade, the upper tier becoming bathed in hot sunshine too, sending the last hardy souls back up the rows until there were none left. The game was over as a contest at 2-0, the Philippines having been hemmed into heir own penalty area for the entirety of the half. Their defending had been terrific, the scrambling and the goalkeeping heroics were outstanding, but there was just no way that they would get anywhere near the Japan goal with the ultra-defensive tactics they had employed. A fascinating second half was coming up, but the purists in the stadium would be hoping for something more enthralling than Japan filling their goalscoring boots.

No changes at the break, the Philippines had to try something different and there would be no disgrace in going for broke. Japan altered their line-up and were tentative at the beginning of the half but continued to press forward, their drum-wielding fans trying to get the atmosphere going with the additional fans now joining them in the shade at the north end of the stadium. Substitute Remina Chiba headed goalwards from a corner from the left, but Meollo’s fingertips pushed the ball over the bar. Fujino fired in a cross-shot from the right that Meollo saved well.  Fujino was again involved, running directly at the Philippines defence, her shot deflected past the post with Meollo wrong-footed. By now the game had reverted to the attack vs defence drill from the first half, the Philippines defending for their lives. Hasegawa rifled a shot over from the edge of the area, Japan giving the crowd as much entertainment as they could.

Both teams shuffled their respective packs, early substitute McDaniel taken off in a trio of changes for the Philippines after Japan had freshened up their line-up with a double change. Chiba should have made it three, arriving to head a glorious cross wide when it looked easier to score. Meollo then saved from point-blank from Chiba, who couldn’t believe the reactions of the goalkeeper, but Chiba was patient and when Fujino lifted a delicious ball in from the left, she fired home beautifully to give Meollo no chance. There was little time to take that in before Manaka Matsukubo picked up the ball inside the Philippines penalty area, surged past two challenges and rifled into the roof of the net for 4-0. The result was beyond doubt now, and as the players retreated to their technical areas once again, the Mexican Wave went around the stadium, no mean feat with the numerous empty pockets of seats between the two ends. Matsukubo sliced a shot wide as Japan came again, and their replacement of the under-employed goalkeeper Chika Hirao was an indication that the game was perhaps now a practice match.

Moeka Minami went close with a header, and from the following corner, Tanaka helped the ball back into the six-yard box over Meollo and Koga was there on the line to steer her free header over the line to make it five. Matsukubo spun sharply to fire straight at Meollo as Japan refused to take their foot off the pedal, perhaps a nod to their South Korean opponents in Wednesday’s semi-final back at Stadium Australia. The crowd of 13,321 was surprising, given the noise generated by the South Korean fans with less in attendance yesterday. Japan’s drummer and his handful of active fans tried to keep the fans engaged with the game, but another stoppage interrupted the flow, and the young fans starting the Mexican wave were again allowed to try their luck. This was going to be a difficult last ten minutes, with Anicka Castaneda waiting to come on for the potentially concussed Malea Cesar.

Momoko Tanikawa ghosted into the area and picked up a cross from the right, steering a shot under Meollo for six. Substitute Riko Ueki had been on for a minute when she connected with a deep cross from the right to make it seven, South Korea put on high alert and still Japan kept coming, intending to use the five additional minutes for further attacking practice. Ueki turned a header just wide, Hikaru Kitagawa fired a shot past the post and still the Philippines did their best to repel their talented opponents. The Nippon, Nippon “Pop Goes The World” chant had been going for a minute when the final whistle sounded and the Philippines were put out of their misery. Toko Koga got the tried and tested player of the match award for her two goals (always the top goalscorer from the winning team), the players met in the centre circle for the formal handshakes, the Philippines bench coming on to join them against standard protocol. Two rings then formed as the teams wet through vastly different team talks, both teams ending their discussions with applause.

The stadium had almost cleared out by the time the players had a chance to say hello and goodbye to their fans, both squads lining up to bow to opposite sides and ends of the stadium before the rest of the fans filtered away into the early evening. This early evening fixture had mirrored last night’s spectacle, both the Japanese and South Korean teams having proven too strong for their underdog opponents. Nina Meollo can hold her head high, making a string of saves to prevent the scoreline blowing out further. This Japan team offers something a little different to their South Korean counterparts. It’s not all sharp passing and calculated moves; they have the X-factor and the flair to take out this competition in style. We just hope it comes in a game against Australia here next weekend. The one-sided games are finally over, we now look forward to four cracking games before the final next Saturday, the play-off matches throwing some very handy match-ups our way to keep the excitement going for the whole week. This is where the AFC Women’s Asian Cup comes alive, the semi-final match-ups are going to be epic!

South Korea 6 Uzbekistan 0

When special event buses are running in Sydney, the event is usually one that attracts tens of thousands of fans. Alas, the first quarter final in Sydney, which was meant to involve the Matildas, was never going to attract a crowd to justify the major outlay of a free bus network across Sydney before and after the game, and music lovers at Qudos Arena for the Linkin Park concert would outnumber the crowd at this entertainment hub. The script may have been torn up by Joe Montemurro, but what we had at Stadium Australia was still the possibility of an entertaining game, Group A winners South Korea up against plucky minnows Uzbekistan, who qualified thanks to a sole victory over Bangladesh in Group B. The best we could hope for was a spirited performance from the Uzbeks, the likelihood was for a comfortable victory for the Koreans and a chance for the East Coast crowd to see Japan’s opposition in the must-see semi-final on Wednesday.

The Heartbeat of football health hub was well attended outside in the stadium precinct, the merchandise stall offered fans a final chance to get Uzbekistan-branded kit and accessories, and the Locker Room was a mix of concert-goers and casual football fans gearing up for their respective events. The Uzbekistan team was out first, throwing their mini footballs into the crowd but having to give it some welly as there were hardly any fans in. The South Korea fans followed soon after, doing much the same, but the sparse crowd was more interested in the pre-game routine when the players had left the field, the flags marched onto the field all furled up, unfurled and waved up and down in the same way as every game had been so far. The duh-dum heart beat music preceded the entrance of the players, the smoke-works burst with colour and smoke filled the air. This was like a well-worn pair of slippers, such was the familiarty, the South Korean anthem almost to the tune of the comedy terrace chant “What the f*cking hell was that?” and the Uzbekistan anthem following like the teary part of a Disney princess movie.

South Korea started well, shooting away from their bank of red shirts at the opposite end, the drum and the chants loud against the otherwise quiet stadium. Choe Yuri found space down the right, for South Korea and her cross was cut out but she was straight onto a through ball a minute later, controlling well before Uzbek goalkeeper Maftuna Jonimqulova saved, and from the rebound, Mun Eunju had the easiest chance but somehow lifted her shot well over the bar for an incredible miss. Kim Hyeri cut in from the right and fired in a shot that was headed over by Dilrabo Asadova for a corner, Jang Selgi lashed in a shot that Jonimqulova saved well at the near post. The goal was coming, and when Choe Yuri played a beautiful through ball for late call-up Son Hwa-Yeon, she shot on goal, the desperate dive of Asadova deflecting the ball and sending it looping into the net for 1-0. A cute celebration was straight from Singin’ in the Rain, the double click of the heels something new.

The Korean fans were in full voice now, the pressure was off, the chances kept coming, Mun Eunju at the far post from a flowing move and cross from the left unable to turn the ball home, and goalscorer Son Hwa-Yeon got her head to a superb cross from the right only for Jonimqulova to beat the ball away with incredible reactions. The pressure was intense and finally when the ball was half cleared to defender Ko Yoo Jin on the edge of the area, she took the initiative to curl a sensational shot over Jonimqulova for 2-0. Son Hwa-Yeon headed a delicious cross onto the bar and couldn’t believe it when Jonimqulova saved the rebound, Noh Jinyoung stooped low to get a header on goal that just went past the post.  Uzbekistan were simply pinned in their own half, the only respite coming from stoppages, the physios coming on to give the players a rest from being shuffled around the park by their far superior opponents. When they did manage to get two consecutive passes to stick, there was no option for a third and it was tough viewing.

Asadova and the Australian assistant referee had a disagreement about the official being in the way of the throw-in, a completely pointless argument from the Uzbek player just to buy some more downtime. Jonimqulova made a fantastic save to keep the score at 2-0, palming the ball away in full flight and the Korean fans at the other end continued to bang their drum and make a din, the defiant Uzbekistan fans behind the technical areas at least giving it a go with their Uz-bek-i-stan chant. Korea were effectively playing four, sometimes five up front, a throw-back to football in the 1950s, and when the all whites of Uzbekistan cleared, there were only orange shirts. A word on the Korean colour scheme – I have been labelled as colour blind on occasion – but that kit is orange, right? On screen they were definitely red, but live and in person, this was a fluorescent Dutch orange. The South Korea fans were bouncing, every red shirt joining in with the chants, but they were silenced when Zarina Mamatkarimova raced onto a searching long ball, goalkeeper Ryu Jisu missed the ball completely as the crowd rose as one, but got away with it, a good chance spurned on the edge of the area with the goal untended. The moments before half time were scrappy, South Korea giving the ball away uncharacteristically, the odd fan shouting coo-ee in the sparsely populated stadium as the active fans took a moment of rest.

Son Hwa-Yeon had a great chance to increase in first half added time, Kim Hyeri crossing perfectly from the right, but the presence of Jonimqulova was enough to put her off and the shot was poked wide. That was the final action of the half, the players and officials heading down the tunnel after spending almost the whole 45 minutes in the Uzbeksitan half of the field. Despite the one-sided nature of the contest, the entertainment was high, and the cheers that rung around the stadium when Uzbekistan ventured over halfway told us that the majority of the crowd was rooting for the underdog. The South Korean band played at the front of the active area, before being drowned out by Shakira on the thumping PA system. The mood at half-time was party, plenty of lime and lemon Australia shirts showing that the support would have been here had the Matildas not decided to take the hard road via Perth.

Both teams went to the bench at half time, and Uzbekistan had the first chance, a free kick from the left floated in dangerously, but the attackers had sprung too soon, Ryu Jisu making a routine catch with the flag up. Umida Zoirova took a blow to the face that slowed up the game that was starting to get its flow back. The Uzbeks looked more capable, only the final ball letting them down, the crowd urging them on. It was hard not to feel sorry for the all-whites, their endeavour warming the neutral fans, but the lack of options in attack made it tough-going whenever they were in possession in the Korea half. The third goal came courtesy of a corner, well cleared by Jonimqulova, but Park Soo Jeong fired in a shot that deflected up off half-time substitute Diyorakhon Khabibullaeva and over Jonimqulova into the net. With thirty minutes still left to play and the Korean fans in full voice, this could get ugly, but Uzbekistan went on the attack and with the help of two fortunate deflections fashioned their first chance of the half, the cross dropping into the hands of Ryu Jisu though instead of to an Uzbek head.

Jang Selgi wowed the Korean fans, winning the ball off her defender to win a corner and from the set piece, Ji Soyun was teed up for a shot from distance, Jonimqulova doing well to smother the shot as the Korean fans tried to suck the ball into the goal. Uzbekistan were managing the time, trying to frustrate the Koreans, the result of the game now a foregone conclusion. South Korea walked in a fourth goal, Ji Soyun clinically dispatching a shot from just inside the area after glorious one-touch passing had unlocked the Uzbeksitan defence. The celebration was muted, this now becoming a procession. Uzbekistan continued to play with their heads held high despite the deficit, tackles went flying in as the game threatened to boil over unnecessarily, Leyla Oraniyazova booked for a crunching lunge out on the Korean left. The crowd was announced as 12,974, no disgrace, but in a stadium that holds six times that amount, that single missing goal that would have kept the Matildas in Sydney would have been stinging for the tournament organisers.

Lee Eunyoung had the ball in the net after an almighty scramble, the referee adjudging the ball kicked out of Jonimqulova’s hands before the ultimately simple finish from close range. The best move of the game came when Ji Soyun threaded a brilliant through ball to Kang Chaerim, whose effort was saved but the ball broke kindly for Lee Eunyoung and she steadied herself to finish easily for 5-0. There was a worry when Son Hwa-Yeon was down after twisting her knee in a clumsy challenge with Rukhshona Usarova and the Uzbekistan defender was at it again soon after, slicing down Lee Eunyoung in the area for a nailed-on penalty. Up stepped Jang Selgi to slam home the spot-kick, and the final whistle sounded as soon as play restarted.

The players went through the handshake process in the centre circle with the officials, and in a nice touch, the whole South Korea team went to shake hands with goalkeeper Maftuna Jonimqulova, who had kept the score at least somewhat respectable. This had been a thoroughly entertaining game, despite the score blowing out to 6-0, and the South Korea players went to their noisy active fans to join in the celebrations, eliciting pangs of jealousy from Matildas fans at the stadium who have been denied such interaction so far in the tournament. Bring on Wednesday night back at this venue when we could be in for one of the most exciting semi-finals in Asian Cup history. A big thank you to both teams tonight for giving us a spectacle, the show rolls on, see you back here tomorrow afternoon!

India 1 Chinese Taipei 3

A beautiful evening in Parramatta was a stark contrast to last night’s rainy conditions, the final round of group games in Group C coming to a close with what looked like a mismatch on paper. India, battered beyond submission by Japan on the weekend, up against Chinese Taipei, who had surprised Vietnam and who needed just a draw to mathematically qualify for the knockout rounds of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup. With the two countries considered relative minnows, Chinese Taipei ranked 40^th in the world against India ranked 67^th, both were ahead of Iran and Bangladesh in the women’s world rankings. If stats could be trusted, this would be a good standard of football and we would see Chinese Taipei advance at a canter. But that’s the beauty of our world game; anything can happen!

The Welcome to Country was played on screen, no need for Uncle or Auntie to talk us through the process live in person, the crowd was perhaps 1,500 so far to see the now traditional pre-game ritual. The royal-sounding anthems had the players puffing out their chests in pride, facing their respective flags, all of the players shaking hands with the Australian-heavy referee team, only the Thai fourth official not from the local A-League. Chinese Taipei kept their opponents waiting as they had an extended huddle and they were immediately on the defensive, a sliced clearance out for a corner. Soumya Guguloth got her head to Sanju’s perfect corner, the ball bouncing onto the post before being hacked away. India were not here to make up the numbers, but they would have to be on high alert when Wu Kai Ching played in Chen Jin-Wen who clipped a superb shot just past the fingers of Elangbam Panthoi but past the far post.

Manisha was the next to attack, Soumya Guguloth running on to her through ball to shoot just past the post. This was a fantastic start to the game, India not fazed by their opponents, and it was difficult to tell who was the higher ranked team. Pyari Xaxa’s pace on the left got her into the box, but the final pass was cleared. For all of India’s endeavour early in the game, all it took was a dreadful back pass to undo all that good work, Sanju gifting the ball to Chen Jin-Wen who crossed for the unmarked Su Yu-Hsuan to tap into the empty net for 1-0. A corner from Manisha fell kindly for Pyari Xaxa, who tried to force the goal, bringing VAR into the game for the first time for a possible handball and penalty check.

Attacking dynamo Sanfida Nongrum was lively, her combinations with the physical Manisha bringing India closer to finding the clear chance, but the Chinese Taipei defence was simple and effective. A Chinese flag fluttered under the lights of the concourse in the Eastern stand before disappearing from view. Sanfida Nongrum almost got on the end of a lung-busting run and cross from the left from Pyari Xaxa, and with goalkeeper Wang Yu-Ting down, we had our first injury stoppage of the night. At this stage, Chinese Taipei had booked their passage through to the knockout stages and in the other game Vietnam were trying to stem the flow against Japan to snatch a third-place berth against one of the group stage table-toppers.

Wu Kai Ching dragged a shot wide when played through by Chang Chi-Lan, it should have been the second goal, but Chinese Taipei were always susceptible to giving the ball away cheaply and Pyari Xaxa cut in to fire a shot wide. Wang Yu-Ting was asked to hurry up by referee Casey Reibelt, but the major talking point came when Soumya Guguloth was shoved to the ground off the ball by the rattled Huang Ke-Sin, the referee quick to produce the yellow card. The replay was eagerly awaited and the possible red card call suggested an upgrade in colour for the seemingly unprovoked attack, but VAR sided with the referee and Chinese Taipei survived the check.

Manisha lined up the free kick from thirty yards out and put her laces right through the ball, the shot sailing through the air and striking the underside of the bar, bouncing on or over the line and out. The India players were convinced it was over the line, and thankfully we had VAR to review the moment from enough angles to be positive that the ball was indeed over the line. What a strike! The surprise and delight from the India players was a joy to behold, and this was surely one of the goals of the tournament. The referee took a firm pass from Manisha to the head and looked dazed for a moment – could this be the first concussion sub for the officials’ team?

Manisha raced past her defender on the left but chose to shoot instead of crossing, before Chen Yu-Chin broke through at the other end and teased Elangbam Panthoi from her goal, the goalkeeper taking the ball full in the face to keep the half going with a lengthy stoppage. Chen Ying-Hui then played in Saki Matsunaga over the top with three Chinese Taipei attackers free, but all she won was a corner. The ball was recycled from the cross to Chen Ying-Hui who drilled in a cross; Sangita Basfore stuck out a hand and the referee pointed straight to the spot. It was a cruel way to end such an excellent half from India. What was even more cruel was when Elangbam Panthoi guessed the right way, and the scuffed penalty struck the post and rebounded off the back of her shoulder, rolling slowly into the net in front to the prone goalkeeper’s anguish.

An exciting first half had zipped by, India edging it with their willingness to get forward, but the scoreboard didn’t lie, Chinese Taipei consolidating their second place in the group stage ladder and the promise of a thrilling second half to come.

India were magnificent at the beginning of the second half, Shilky Devi Hemam firing wildly wide after a sustained period of crisp passing and meaningful possession. Manisha embarked on an exciting run and shot which ended up being well wide – after scoring that first-half screamer, it was certainly worth a go! Chen Yu-Chin raced through the middle for Chinese Taipei as the crowd chanted Tai-wan Tai-wan, she cut onto her left foot but skewed the chance wide, the belated offside flag up to save her blushes. It was time for a period of sustained pressure from the all-white Chinese Taipei, Huang Ke-Sin had to score at the far post meeting a cross from Chen Jin-Wen, but made a complete mess of it and Elangbam Panthoi picked the ball up easily. This was relentless, Sangita Basfore did brilliantly to throw herself in front of Chen Jin-Wen to block a clear shot on goal, before an injury to goalkeeper Wang Yu-Ting gave us some respite from the intense action.

Su Yu-Hsuan took advantage of a deflected through ball. She was offside, but was not interfering with play when the deflection fell her way, and finished easily. The referee had other ideas though and deemed her position to be offside, and not even worthy of a VAR check. Substitute Rimpa Haaldar looked lively, switching from left to right to terrorise her defenders, but her crossing was off after all the good work. With the scoreline in the other game in the group rendering this result academic, Chinese Taipei could relax, and they pressed forward looking to embellish their scoreline. Su Yu-Hsuan should have scored when a looping cross from the left was missed by her defender, but she didn’t catch the shot well, and the maroon-clad Indian team knew that they still had a chance of getting an unlikely result. Chen Jin-Wen chose to shoot instead of square the ball to her teammate, the ball rolling harmlessly wide, before we had our third goal, Chen Yu-Chin easily beating the offside trap and evading goalkeeper Elangbam Panthoi to tap home as the keeper collided sickeningly with her defender leaving them both on the deck requiring treatment. The goalkeeper looked to be the less injured of the two, but when she flopped to the ground for a second time, a backup stretcher was called, the Indian physio pleading with the referee to get further help. It was a sorry sight seeing both players carried away on their respective stretchers, much concern for the goalkeeper, with her neck being cradled by the Indian physio.

Shreya Hooda was now in goal, and India rallied, attacking on the right through the busy Rimpa Haaldar. A somewhat hopeful 3,648 was announced as the crowd as Saki Matsunaga went up against Juli Kishan who had a handful of shirt, the ball behind for a corner. Chen Jin-Wen was harshly penalised for a foul on playmaker Sanfida Nongrum and superstar Manisha launched another long-range missile from the set piece that took a wicked deflection to send the Chinese Taipei goalkeeper scurrying to tap the ball behind for a corner. Manisha was dragged down for another yellow out on the right and her intentionally whipped free kick bounced off the bar. The five-star attacking performance from Manisha was almost complete when she headed against the post from the resulting deep corner. A flurry of yellow cards were handed out by the trigger-happy referee as the six minutes of added time concluded and the two teams assembled to shake hands with the officials. In a lovely touch, the entire Chinese Taipei squad went to the India dugout to shake hands with the whole India entourage, exchanging bows and smiles, before both teams headed to their fans who were by now side by side in the East stand.

Western Sydney Stadium had hosted its final game of the AFC Womens Asian Cup 2026, despite the venue being ideally suited to the quarter-final and semi-final clashes now that Australia were in Western Australia. This had been a fitting end, both teams in jubilant mood with their delighted fans. Chinese Taipei had booked their place against China in a red-hot quarter-final that should be a bridge too far, but now it was time to celebrate for the Blue Magpies. For India, tonight had all been about striking sensation Manisha and midfield playmaker Sanfida Nongrum, who had both been magnificent. If we see a better strike than Manisha’s long-range piledriver, in off the bar, then we will be in for a treat in the remaining games. See you at Stadium Australia on the weekend!

DPR Korea 1 China 2

A thoroughly miserable grey day in Western Sydney was a total contrast to the last time these two teams were in action, intermittent rain making for ideal conditions on the field, but adding to the barriers keeping the fans away from this tournament so far. The teams emerged well ahead of kick off, North Korea straight into a technical warm up, very vocal in their drills, the cries and shrieks maybe designed to intimidate their opponents China. The Chinese team emerged to boot mini footballs into the crowd and started the traditional warm-up with a perfectly sequenced stretching and bands session. There was no doubt about tonight’s favourites, the North Koreans pinging the ball around the field with unerring accuracy while China looked more relaxed with their underdog status, as if there was no pressure on them whatsoever.

As the North Koreans players packed away their kit and also booted mini footballs into the crowd, China remained, getting more runs into their legs with only twenty minutes to kick off. Two large pockets of China fans, one on halfway in the east stand and one up high in the southern end above the flag wavers, piped up with early chants. The players were replaced with smoke cannons, the ball was painstakingly placed on the plinth by two meticulous AFC officials and the firework trolleys made their way into position. We would be looking at a crowd of over 5,000 here, those Chinese fans on halfway already making a coordinated din. The photographers were corralled into position either side of the halfway line awaiting the return of the players in their playing kits, the pre-game sequence now in full swing. The giant flag bearers moved into position. The China fans chanted, they were making this a home game, and why not? Then a big delay before Hell’s Bells tolled and the flags came out. The ruffling started, then the heartbeat music as we anticipated the arrival of the teams.

The Democratic Republic of Korea anthem DPR Korea definitely has a touch of A Long Way To Tipperary and was respectfully observed by the crowd, before the People’s Republic of China’s stirring anthem was accompanied by more than half of the crowd. Both squads assembled for their tight circles, the North Korean’s emerging to loud shouts, further intimidation of their opponents. We had our first stoppage within ten seconds as An Kuk Hyang took a blow to the face, but these players are made of tough stuff and she was up. Korea’s number 9, Kim Song Gyong, went studs up over the knee on Shao Ziqin in an ugly tackle, and somehow escaped a VAR check for a possible red card. This was spicy, the tackles flying in, and the Vietnamese referee had her work cut out. Wurigumula tried to eke a penalty from the referee before Han Jin Hong spent some time on the ground following a shove from behind. It was open, it was exciting, it was fast and the Koreans starting pushing the ball around with precision. For all the midfield possession for China, their final product was missing. This could be a classic.

When Yao Wei coughed up possession, Chae Un Yong controlled beautifully to win a corner but China stood firm. Hong Song Ok took a blow in a tackle but her teammates played on, both teams eager to keep the game moving. Wang Shuang was being buffeted between defenders as she chased and hassled. The passing was crisp and players were using their bodies to protect the ball; this was a million miles from the football we’d see in the first two rounds in the group stage. China had more invention and they had the tall unit Shao Ziqin. DPR Korea were dangerous on the break but struggling to stay onside. Wang Aifang smashed a missile just wide as a warning shot, but it was DPR Korea who took the lead with a smart goal, Han Jin Hong well onside this time and taking her time to find Kim Kyong Yong who slotted low past Chen Chen for 1-0. The whole team raced to join the celebrations, but the lead was only brief. A ball skewed out of a tackle in midfield and somehow went out for a corner. Superstar Wang Shuang’s centre was helped on to Shao Ziqin who had the wherewithal to lay the ball back to Chen Qiaozhu and she took aim and rifled the ball past Yu So Gum for a sensational equaliser.

This was by far the best football we had seen at the tournament, the speed of thought and technical ability of both teams sitting well above their future opponents. An uncharacteristic boot upfield to clear the ball showed just how the Koreans were fearful of the press of their opponents, and the half was flying by. Zhang Linyan was clattered in a challenge but got up to continue with minimal fuss, Ri Hye Gyong was warned after an off-the-ball coming together left her opponent on the ground and from the free kick, Wang Shuang had the ball in the net from a tidy lay-off by Zhang Cengxue but there was a clear offside. Play was set to restart with a free kick. That was until VAR intervened and found a foot playing everyone onside. There was disbelief around the stadium, Wang Shuang having a second opportunity to celebrate, as the North Korea players retreated to their technical area to bemoan the VAR decision. The hand gestures of the players were clearly asking the referee to look at the replay, there was no need to do so as the VAR had made the decision, and we had a bizarre moment where the Koreans refused to continue until the situation was resolved. Coach Ri Song Ho was booked for not getting his players back out and surprisingly the referee was forced to signal half-time, despite the remaining moments not being played. Peak AFC was the call. Incredible scenes, and the boos rang out around the stadium.

Only two Korean players warmed up at half time, the whole China squad was out warming up; something was brewing perhaps in the bowels of the stadium. Thankfully the Korean players were out for the second half, but they warmed up facing the Chinese substitutes, the teams running directly at each other – a potential flashpoint. China kept their opponents waiting as they huddled, the referee showing a lot of patience. Wang Shuang dummied twice from the kick off, mirroring the cheeky Korean kick off; there was a touch of animosity between the players. Hong Song Ok was brought down and Korea won a corner. Wang Shuang’s attitude earned her a yellow card, dragging back her opponent when passing up an easy ball to turn into a tackle. Wurigumula danced up the right to win a corner, Wang Shuang ever the show-stealer, moving the microphone carefully out of the way to take the set piece.

This looked like China’s game. It was there for the taking. Hong Song Ok reminded them that they were still in a contest, cutting in from the left to fire a shot at Chen Chen. Goalscorer Chen Qiaozhu showed great strength to fend off her opponent to win a free kick and there was chaos in the penalty area as Kim Kyong Yong was flattened by Shao Ziqin. A shot from Shao Ziqin squirmed just wide after a deflection to give entertainer Wang Shuang the opportunity to fire in another corner. Korea went to their bench first and won a corner straight away, the bank of AFC volunteers bouncing up and down to create the artificial atmosphere. The football continued at a fantastic pace, not frantic or frenetic, but sharp and accurate, a pleasure to see.

With 15 minutes remaining, the Koreans went with another double substitution, but Ri Myong Gum was booked for pulling back Shao Ziqin and China resumed their dominance. Wang Shuang was jostled to the ground to win a free kick just outside the area on the left, and when it was recycled in her direction, she unleashed a fierce shot that Yu Son Gum saved well. Myong Yu Jong and Choe Ilson combined to win a corner for Korea and the wind of change was happening. All of sudden a deflected through ball fell for Ri Hye Gyong who laid the ball on a plate for Choe Ilson to finish unmarked past Chen Chen. The whole Korean team celebrated as though they had won the competition, but it wasn’t long before VAR intervened and we had our next moment of controversy, the goal disallowed and the Korean players glancing to the bench as though they might protest again. This was high quality drama, pantomime even. There was a possible red card for a whack to the face as Korean tempers threatened to boil over, quite rightly waved away, The red-shirted Koreans were rushing everything and nothing was working. China looked in control. It would be a travesty for them to cough up this lead and when a challenge seemed to go out for a corner, the referee’s award of a goal kick was bemoaned once more by the angry Koreans. China managed the final minutes very well without any stress, but the referee blew for full time.

Utter confusion again when the Korean coach, already on a yellow card, remonstrated with the fourth official. Full time had been blown a minute early and the squads were ushered off the field again, the players lining up as if they may restart the game. After a quick word in the ear, the referee declared the match over and the players shook hands graciously, both sets of players running to their fans to show the love after a fantastic game of football. The AFC officials tried to rustle up some photographers for the Korean team but all eyes were on China. It was their night and they were loving the moment.

The press conferences were eagerly awaited. North Korea coach Ri Song Ho took a sharp intake of breath before speaking. They had not been mentally prepared for the quick turnaround, but they would still be aiming to reach the final. Questioned about the VAR call for the second goal, it looked offside on the device in front of the technical area. They resumed after they had calmed down, and via the translator, he remarked ‘That’s football!’. The early final whistle was also questioned, and they protested, but the referee was adamant that the game was over. Ante Milicic was glowing of his China team. They had worked a lot on set pieces, both defensively and offensively. He praised their calmness; they had expected situations to arise today and he was happy that they controlled themselves in a derby atmosphere. He was relieved not to meet his country of birth too early in the competition but reaffirmed his commitment to China and wished Australian football the best from afar in their endeavours in this competition and in the men’s World Cup later in the year.

We now know the opponents for the Matildas in Friday’s quarter final in Perth. HBF Park will be rocking as a stubborn and precise DPR Korea team arrive in Perth to try and be the next team to cause Australian heartache at a Women’s Asian Cup quarter final.

Australia 3 South Korea 3

This was meant to be a fairytale run of games in Sydney, packing out Accor Stadium with fervent Matildas fans en route to Asian Cup glory; however, as big-time women’s football returned to our shores after a series of underwhelming attendances, South Korea provided the Matildas’ first major test of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 and handed the home country the harshest of reality checks. The entertainment was high, the occasion was intense and exciting for everyone inside the stadium, but the Matildas failed to control their possession and were exposed in defence, twice coming from behind to snatch a draw. The polar opposite emotions of the casual and nailed-on fans meant that a last-gasp draw saw both celebration and anguish in the stands at the final whistle, Aussie players with shirts over faces in despair while their jubilant counterparts bounced in delight.

With 15 minutes to kick-off and long snaking lines outside the venue, the famous blue seats of this huge venue were very visible, initial estimates sitting at 50% capacity, perhaps rising to 75% by the time the magnificent acapella national anthems had been brilliantly delivered. This was a football event on a different level, an opportunity for the Matildas to remind the Australian general public that there is a huge football tournament happening in their country and that we should be invested in it.

The now-familiar pre-game protocol was given a twist, with fans asked to stand for the welcome to country, which was barely audible due to the volume being way too high. The anthems, both delivered by the same singer, were marvellous, the slow ending of Advance Australia Fair catching out the supporters, who had already sung ahead. The countdown to kick off was mangled, but we got there eventually, and the game got underway with Australia shooting towards the bank of Korea fans in the south end. The Matildas pressed early on and dominated, Alanna Kennedy with a meaty tackle after Mary Fowler had been dispossessed, but Clare Hunt almost gifted South Korea a glorious chance with a dreadful back pass that was scrambled away by the returning Mackenzie Arnold.

Katrina Gorry was back and was busy, bursting through midfield and flicking a clever pass to Sam Kerr, but she drove her shot straight at Kim Minjung. Steph Catley took a ball to the head when blocking a cross and was down for some time receiving treatment from the concerned physios. The first real chance came for the Matildas when Ellie Carpenter romped down the right and squared across to Caitlin Foord, but her finish was horrid. Kerr and Clare Wheeler then hassled the defence, Gorry with a chance right in front, but Kim Minjung made the save. The cracks were already showing in the Matildas rearguard though and when Jeon Yugyeong sprinted away up the left into space left by Winonah Heatley, she played an inch-perfect pass into the path of Mun Eunju who finished first-time, wheeling away in delight and being mobbed by her delighted teammates. The script had been torn up, and Hunt didn’t ease the situation, playing a ball out on the full to no one in the next phase of play.

When Catley dropped to the floor, there was clearly a problem, and after consultation with the physio team, Courtney Nevin was getting prepared to replace the dazed Arsenal defender. We were only 15 minutes in and there had been plenty of action. The drum banged from the Korea fans, and Heatley played an awful cross-field ball which was easily cut out and sent South Korea scurrying on the break. There was an element of frustration in the crowd, Hunt again with a pass that would never reach its target, Arnold cutting out the low cross to prevent a second goal.

Mary Fowler raced through the midfield but her powerful shot was blocked. Good work by Kerr on the left teed up Fowler, whose low drive was pushed into the side-netting, nearly everyone in the stadium thinking it had gone in. Thirty minutes on the clock and we had our equaliser. A corner from the left was recycled, Fowler hitting her shot into the ground and Kennedy was on hand to bundle home with a fortuitous touch via the goalkeeper’s hand. The stadium filled with noise. The VAR check was completely unnecessary, and Australia were back in the game. Kerr was then played in by a great through-ball from Fowler, but she blazed wide, never really looking like scoring.

Hunt was booked for dragging back her opponent, Carpenter was somehow penalised when her opponent claimed a hair pull, despite the contact being minimal. This was frustrating. Kennedy whacked the ball into the referee after a free-kick was awarded, the Japanese official giving the combative midfielder a hard stare. Fowler steered a glorious deep cross from the left for Foord, but she couldn’t get anything on it. Foord did get a bigger chance, Gorry’s blocked shot falling into her path but the shot was pulled wide of the far post. The six minutes of added time became many more once Ko Yoo Jin went to ground, and Foord fired wide again when Carpenter laid the ball inside. Foord’s luck changed moments later though, setting off on a direct run through the middle from a standing start and playing in Kerr who swept the ball home with a fabulous finish for 2-1. The stadium rose as one, Australia had turned this around and all was good in the world as the players disappeared into the depths of the stadium at half-time.

The half-time entertainment was next level, the crowd loving the live music from Dami Im, and Gangnam Style was pumping moments before the second half got underway.

Unbelievably, a Mexican wave started three minutes into the second half. Normally reserved for games where there is a long stoppage or play is not engaging enough for the fans, this suggested theatre-goers rather tan football fans. The game changed complexion almost immediately, as Katrina Gorry was mugged and substitute Kang Chaerim raced up the right. Her powerful shot was deflected wide by the backpedalling Nevin for a corner. What looked like a simple deflection suddenly became a VAR check, the referee went to the screen and the flailing arm of the Matildas defender was adjudged to have been intentional. Boos rang out. Foord tried to put off the penalty taker, but Kim Shinji dispatched the penalty with ease in front of the Korea fans.

Australia were straight back on the attack, Fowler’s effort deflected away for a corner, but the game turned completely around only two minutes later, Kang Chaerim receiving the ball on the right as Fowler missed her header, but there didn’t seem much danger until she drove home inside Nevin’s outstretched leg and inside Arnold’s far post for a dramatic third goal. The Matildas looked ragged. Kennedy’s impatience was growing, playing long balls when she didn’t need to, coughing up possession too easily in search of a low percentage ball. Fowler drilled a cross from the left which was put out for corner to huge noise from the crowd, but whatever the Matildas tried, it was starting to not work. Carpenter ran the ball out unchallenged, Kerr was caught flat-footed by a delayed through-ball.

Korea continued to threaten. Kang Chaerim had a good chance at the far post, but Arnold made it look easy. Carpenter’s gift to the lip-readers when a goal kick was awarded when a corner maybe should have been the outcome of her endeavours summed up the frustration. Kennedy had a chance to be the hero, running on to a short pass outside the area, but she blazed over. Heatley’s rada was off, two easy passes down the line easily cut out, and impact sub Amy Sayer looked lost, running around like a headless chicken trying to get involved. The crowd of 60.279 was big, but didn’t hide the fact that this was no sell-out, and the patches of empty seats completed the story.

Coach Joe Montemurro was agitated. His relaxed demeanour had gone. Substitutes Kyra Cooney-Cross and Emily Van Egmond waited for an eternity to come on, Montemurro gesticulating towards the fourth official as confusion over the concussion substitute rule delayed the introduction of the two superstars. When Van Egmond finally entered the field, her first touch was to blaze over, memories of her dramatic late equaliser against China in Sydney in Olympic qualifying not replicated, but Kerr had strayed offside anyway. Van Egmond’s inadvertent pass for Kerr, kicking the turf instead of the ball, saw Kerr offside again as the game started to look lost.

The stadium was reaching its crescendo. Kerr was almost onto a stray back pass as the crowd roared, but Fowler’s long swinging cross drifted out of play, Noh Jonyoung now down and the fans agitated. Motemurro looked resigned, tired almost. Kerr reached for a ball, the fans claiming penalty, and Fowler wowed the crowd with great skill to turn on left, but the cross was scrambled away. We had seven minutes of stoppages to come, although there was no announcement of it. The Matildas reverted to route one, and it was ineffectual. Nevin advanced and a flick header by Kennedy sent the Korean goalkeeper across goal to claw the ball behind for a corner. There was a lack of urgency to take the corner, it was a bizarre moment. Even more strange was the ball crew’s decision to carry the ball to Arnold when play headed up the other end instead of throwing it to her, more time eaten up needlessly. Korea delayed the inevitable with a substitution with 15 seconds left of added time.

The equaliser was at the death, Sayer keeping the ball alive with a clever header, Kerr beaten to the ball, but it fell perfectly for Kennedy to thrash home. Foord angrily wrestled the ball from Kim Minjung’s grasp and was booked; Kennedy’s eye roll at the VAR check told you everything you need to know about the concept of the video assistant referee. The final whistle came quickly, the Matildas were clearly disgusted with themselves, shirts covered faces, the body language told the story. The Korean squad joined a circle and jumped for joy. They knew they had spoiled the Australian party and top of the group, they would remain in Sydney for the rest of the tournament.

There was anticipation for the press conferences in the media centre. South Korean coach Shin Sang-Woo thanked his players and expressed sorrow at not hanging on to win the game. Their first goal was to win the group, and they had achieved that goal. Whilst most of the presser was lost in translation, the key takeaway was the targeting of the Australia defence and the introduction of pacy substitutes to get in behind, food for thought for the Aussie football media. Matildas coach Joe Montemurro declined to comment first, not wanting to read the room before being peppered with question. The controlled mess that was the Philippines victory was now just a mess, Montemurro lamenting the lack of control in possession, but conceding that players do make errors and they have to manage that – when his team kept the ball they did well, but tonight there was no momentum.

The additional travel had already been prepared for, but that would be a difficult pill to swallow for the Matildas fans, having to hastily rearrange their travel plans. Emotions were running high post-match at the Locker Room as fans wondered how they would plan their additional leave to head to Western Australia for a second time, and those who remained in Sydney would now be at poorly- attended quarter-final and semi-final clashes at this huge venue.

The Matildas had been exposed tonight, Australian football fans given an indication of just how tough the assignment will be to emulate the men’s team in 2015 and win the tournament on home soil. Time to take off those rose-tinted glasses and prepare for potential disappointment as any one of five teams, Australia included, could be back in Sydney for the final. A trip to the Gold Coast for the World Cup play-off games as a beaten quarter-finalist is something that cannot be discounted.