Chelsea forward Sam Kerr secures Australias spot in Asian Cup final
Chelsea forward Sam Kerr netted the decisive goal to guide hosts Australia to the Womens Asian Cup final after a hard fought 2-1 win against defending champions China on Tuesday in Perth.
Kerr slotted the ball in from a narrow angle in the 58th minute, her fourth strike of the competition making all the difference in a tough semi final watched by 35,170 supporters on a warm evening.
The Matildas are set to meet either title contenders Japan or South Korea in the Sydney final on Saturday.
The game kicked off at a furious pace as Arsenal attacker Caitlin Foord opened the scoring in the 17th minute.
China equalised soon afterwards when Zhang Linyan slotted home a penalty, sparking joy among their enthusiastic supporters waving flags behind the net.
However, China struggled to keep Australias local star Kerr in check, as she kept the team pushing towards a second continental championship to match their 2010 success.
Chinas attempt to claim a record breaking 10th title came to a painful end, with regrets over several squandered chances despite managing 14 attempts on goal compared to Australias eight.
Under the guidance of Australian coach Ante Milicic, who led the Matildas at the 2019 World Cup, China shuffled their lineup with six alterations from the side that required extra time to overcome Taiwan in the quarter finals.
Key forward Wang Shuang sat out due to suspension following accumulated yellow cards in back to back games.
Australia gained a lift with vital defender Steph Catley returning to the starting XI after sitting out the previous match with a concussion issue.
Manager Joe Montemurro had called on the Matildas to show courage following their underwhelming performance against North Korea in the quarters, where they still clinched a 2-1 victory.
Australia nearly struck first as Kaitlyn Torpey delivered an excellent cross from the left, but Mary Fowler fluffed her volley over the bar.
China gradually found their rhythm, their high pressing defence prompting mistakes from the Matildas.
Midfielder Wurigumula disrupted play repeatedly, though China failed to make the most of their spell of control.
The hosts punished them when Ellie Carpenter charged along the right wing and picked out Fowler, who smartly passed to Foord for the finish.
China hit back as Zhang capitalised on poor Australian defending and won a spot kick after being fouled by keeper Mackenzie Arnold, who picked up a booking.
Zhang blasted the penalty beyond Arnold as the games energy dipped, with athletes from both sides appearing exhausted by the break.
The second half turned into a stalemate until Kerr surged forward, sidestepped goalkeeper Peng Shimeng, and coolly finished from a sharp angle.