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Matildas into Asian Cup final with 2-1 win

Roar Guru
22nd May, 2014
32

Australia’s women footballers have beaten South Korea 2-1 in a semi-final of the Asian Women’s Cup in Ho Chi Minh City.

The Matildas will now face Japan in Sunday’s final after the reigning world champions and Olympic silver medallists edged China with a dramatic 1-0 extra-time win in their semi-final.

The decisive moment for Australia came 14 minutes from full time as midfielder Elise Kellond-Knight delivered a low free-kick from near the sideline which crept past the far post after deceiving both the defence and goalkeeper.

Katrina Gorry had given the defending champions a perfect start to the second half with a superb strike from outside the penalty area for her third goal in as many matches.

However Korea drew level within a matter of minutes as Park Eun Sun netted from the penalty spot following a questionable spot-kick awarded against Michelle Heyman.

Australia started the match strongly but goalkeeper Lydia Williams was soon required to make a crucial close-range block from Yoo Young A, while at the other end was Heyman was similarly denied by Kim Jung Mi.

Heyman hit the crossbar with a towering header midway through the second half and, although Australia dominated lengthy periods of the contest, extra time was looming before Kellond-Knight’s intervention.

Substitute Sam Kerr seemed to have extended Australia’s lead with a superb first-time shot in the dying minutes only to be denied by a line-ball offside decision.

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Earlier on Thursday night Japan won through to the final in dramatic circumstances with Azusa Iwashimizu netting the winner with the last kick of extra time.

“We have a little bit of an edge for the final given Japan had extra time, but of course they are world champs so we face a massive challenge on Sunday,” said Australia coach Alen Stajcic.

“I think this was our best performance of the tournament. We had so many chances and controlled them at the back. I couldn’t be happier with how we played, I’m ecstatic.”

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