South Korea held hosts Australia to a thrilling 3–3 draw to top Group A at the Women’s Asian Cup in front of a packed crowd in Sydney on Sunday.
Both teams finished the group stage on seven points, but South Korea edged Australia on goal difference to claim first place.
Australia now face a challenging quarter-final against either North Korea or China, while South Korea will remain in Sydney to face one of the best third-placed teams.
South Korea, who eliminated Australia from the 2022 tournament, weathered an early storm from the hosts. The Matildas should have opened the scoring in the 10th minute when Steph Catley fired high with only the keeper to beat.
Australia were punished for their wastefulness four minutes later, as the Koreans struck on a swift counter-attack. Jeon Yu-gyeong found space down the left and delivered a precise cross into the box, where Mun Eun-ju broke through the defence to slot home, leaving goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold helpless.
The hosts drew level in the 32nd minute when Alanna Kennedy fired home, before sending the crowd into a frenzy in first-half stoppage time with a near-post strike from superstar Sam Kerr.
South Korea responded early in the second half. Kim Shin-ji converted a penalty in the 53rd minute, and substitute Kang Chae-rim put the Koreans ahead three minutes later with a precise shot across goal that beat Arnold.
Kennedy’s late equaliser in the seventh minute of stoppage time proved too late to alter the outcome, giving South Korea the more favourable path in the knockout stages.
AFP
