Caitlin Foord and Sam Kerr combined to secure a 2-1 victory over China in Perth on Tuesday, sending the Matildas to the Asian Cup final. The win came after a tense match where China matched the hosts for the first hour, but Kerr's late goal ensured Australia progressed to Saturday's final in Sydney against Japan or South Korea.
Kerr, 32, had been kept quiet for much of the game, raising questions about her pace against a new generation of defenders. However, she showed her class by latching onto Foord's through ball, rounding the goalkeeper and finishing from a tight angle to score the winner. The goal eased concerns about Australia's misfiring attack and demonstrated the enduring quality of their golden generation.
The match drew a crowd of 35,170 at Perth's Optus Stadium, a disappointment given the Matildas' popularity after the Women's World Cup. Organisers had hoped for a larger turnout after the WA government paid for hosting rights, but the early kick-off and late confirmation of Australia's place contributed to the empty seats.
Australia's path to the final was complicated by a poor performance against South Korea in the group stage, forcing them to play three of five matches in Western Australia. Despite the challenges, the team now has a chance to claim Asian Cup glory, with Kerr and Foord leading the charge.
