AFC Women's Asian Cup
The result meant Korea Republic finished as the Group A winners and will meet the third-placed side from either Group B or C in the quarter-finals while Australia will play the Group B runners-up.
The enthralling encounter was witnessed by a new tournament record of 60,279 fans, surpassing the previous best of 44,379 which was set when the Matildas played the Philippines in the tournament opener on March 1.
The enthralling encounter was witnessed by a new tournament record of 60,279 fans, surpassing the previous best of 44,379 which was set when the Matildas played the Philippines in the tournament opener on March 1.
Early chances fell the way of Australia with Sam Kerr firing straight at goalkeeper Kim Min-jung, with Caitlin Foord then blasting high from Katrina Gorry’s cutback before Jung Min-young lost the ball inside her own box.
Having survived the pressure, Korea Republic broke forward to score in stunning fashion in the 13th minute with Jeon Yu-gyeong’s pace taking her away from Winonah Heatley before delivering an inch-perfect pass beyond Clare Hunt for Mun Eun-ju to slide home past Mackenzie Arnold.
Having survived the pressure, Korea Republic broke forward to score in stunning fashion in the 13th minute with Jeon Yu-gyeong’s pace taking her away from Winonah Heatley before delivering an inch-perfect pass beyond Clare Hunt for Mun Eun-ju to slide home past Mackenzie Arnold.
Australia suffered another setback when defensive stalwart Steph Catley had to be replaced in the 18th minute by Courtney Nevin after taking a heavy hit on the back of her head when trying to block a cross.
The hosts, however, were unfazed restored parity in the 32nd minute when they took advantage of confusion in the Korea Republic box following a corner with Mary Fowler’s cross cum shot turned in from close range by Alanna Kennedy.
The hosts, however, were unfazed restored parity in the 32nd minute when they took advantage of confusion in the Korea Republic box following a corner with Mary Fowler’s cross cum shot turned in from close range by Alanna Kennedy.
Australia had the opportunity to go ahead in the third minute of first half added time when Foord pounced on a loose ball on the edge of the box and worked herself into a shooting position, only to watch her low strike go agonisingly wide of the post.
Foord made amends three minutes later, driving forward with purpose before finding Kerr in the box with the Chelsea forward picking her spot to smash home the ball into the bottom corner past Min-jung.
Foord made amends three minutes later, driving forward with purpose before finding Kerr in the box with the Chelsea forward picking her spot to smash home the ball into the bottom corner past Min-jung.
Group A: Australia v Korea Republic
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Shin Sang-woo made two changes at the start of the second half, introducing midfielder Kim Shin-ji and Kang Chae-rim in place of Min-young and Choe Yu-ri and it didn’t take long for the substitutes to make an impact.
Chae-rim’s surging run from midfield into Australia’s box saw her effort blocked by Nevin’s arm, with Shin-ji stepping up to slot home the resulting penalty in the 52nd minute.
Chae-rim’s surging run from midfield into Australia’s box saw her effort blocked by Nevin’s arm, with Shin-ji stepping up to slot home the resulting penalty in the 52nd minute.
The same two players combined four minutes later to put Korea Republic back in front as Shin-jin delivered a pinpoint cross to Chae-rim on the right, with the latter’s precise strike settling in the bottom far corner.
Australia pushed for the equaliser and their persistence was rewarded deep into stoppage time when Kennedy was quickest to a loose ball in the box, slamming it into the roof of the net for a share of the spoils.
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