AFC Women's Asian Cup
Locked on six points apiece, Korea Republic are ahead on goal difference and with the group winners to stay in Sydney for the quarter-finals, there will be no let up from either side heading into the tie at Stadium Australia.
For Australia head coach Joe Montemurro, the match presents an opportunity for the hosts to continue to build their momentum following two the wins that secured their spot in the quarter-finals.
While Hayley Raso is not available under concussion protocols, Montemurro has capable replacements - having used a total 21 players in the earlier ties against Philippines and Islamic Republic of Iran.
“Obviously an exciting match between two very good teams but it’s what these tournaments are for,” said Montemurro.
While Hayley Raso is not available under concussion protocols, Montemurro has capable replacements - having used a total 21 players in the earlier ties against Philippines and Islamic Republic of Iran.
“Obviously an exciting match between two very good teams but it’s what these tournaments are for,” said Montemurro.
“Tournaments are not won in the first or second game, it is won on building into the tournament so we knew the Korea game was always going to be important and we are starting to find our rhythm and collaboration on the field.
“Travel is the big one in such a tight tournament. The advantage (to stay in Sydney) is good, but the most important is that we are in the quarter-finals but whatever comes, we will deal with it.”
“Travel is the big one in such a tight tournament. The advantage (to stay in Sydney) is good, but the most important is that we are in the quarter-finals but whatever comes, we will deal with it.”
As for experienced defender Steph Catley - who captained the Matildas in the 1-0 defeat to Korea Republic in 2022 - the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ quarter-final exit at the hands of Sunday’s opponents still rankles the Arsenal player.
‘It’s been a good start for us with two wins,” said Catley. “We want to top the group and it’s a good challenge for us. That (match in 2022) was a big moment for us. Challenging conditions over there. We were quite wasteful and against a team like Korea, they took advantage.
“We definitely learn from that moment, it’s something we’ve been holding onto and we will do everything we can to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
‘It’s been a good start for us with two wins,” said Catley. “We want to top the group and it’s a good challenge for us. That (match in 2022) was a big moment for us. Challenging conditions over there. We were quite wasteful and against a team like Korea, they took advantage.
“We definitely learn from that moment, it’s something we’ve been holding onto and we will do everything we can to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
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Korea Republic head coach Shin Sang-woo, meanwhile, is hopeful his team will recover well after their exertions in the 3-0 win against Philippines on Thursday, with the 49-year-old believing the two friendly match defeats to Australia in 2025 will serve as no indication of what’s to come.
“After the previous match, the recovery time was quite short but we are preparing as best as we can to win against Australia,” said Shin. “We can be the group winners if we get a draw but that’s not what we are thinking about. Our target is to get three wins in the group stage and that is what we will be aiming for.
“In last year’s (friendly) games, we were in the process of testing our players. The players have changed a lot and we have improved in terms of organisation. I’m sure we can show a better performance compared to those games.”
“After the previous match, the recovery time was quite short but we are preparing as best as we can to win against Australia,” said Shin. “We can be the group winners if we get a draw but that’s not what we are thinking about. Our target is to get three wins in the group stage and that is what we will be aiming for.
“In last year’s (friendly) games, we were in the process of testing our players. The players have changed a lot and we have improved in terms of organisation. I’m sure we can show a better performance compared to those games.”
Trivia
● Australia have won seven of their last nine women’s internationals against Korea Republic (W7 D1 L1) including their last two in a row and have conceded just two goals across their last seven meetings; however, they’re winless in each of their last two meetings at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup and were held goalless in each of those two meetings.
● Australia have won 13 of their last 15 women’s internationals against AFC opponents (W13 D1 L1) including their last four in a row and haven’t conceded a goal in such a fixture since a 4-0 loss to Japan at the SheBelieves Cup 2025; they’re also on a four-game winning streak overall across which they’ve not conceded any goals.
● Korea Republic are on a 10-game goal-scoring streak at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup (W8 D1 L1) which equals their longest ever streak at the tournament; though, they are winless across their last six games at the tournament when they’ve not kept a clean sheet on the day (D1 L5).
Australia v Korea Republic
Venue: Stadium Australia (Sydney)
Kick-off: Sunday, 20:00 (UTC+11)
Venue: Stadium Australia (Sydney)
Kick-off: Sunday, 20:00 (UTC+11)
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