PERTH, Australia (AP) — sam carr Australia won, scored one goal and created another. Women’s Asian Cup They defeated North Korea 2-1 in the semifinals on Friday to qualify for the World Cup.
Three-time champions North Korea had nearly two-thirds of the ball possession and played at a high tempo to keep Australia from worrying, but they were unable to turn their abundant scoring opportunities into more goals against the stubborn Matildas defense.
North Korea had 21 shots on goal and 10 on target, but they were unable to capitalize. Australia managed just two shots on target.
Carr played a key role in both.
In the 9th minute, Chelsea’s forward stole the ball from opposing captain Ahn Kook-hyang in the deep right corner and sent a cross into the area, where Alana Kennedy swooped in on the deflection and fired with her left foot for her fifth goal of the tournament.
Two minutes into the second half, Kerr took advantage of a gap in North Korea’s defense and scored a left-footed shot to make it 2-0, giving Australia a cushion as they advance to the 2023 World Cup semifinals.
However, North Korea increased their intensity once again, and in the 65th minute, Kim Kyung-young passed into the box from the left and Choi Eun-young scored from close range, reducing the gap to 2-1.
North Korea fired a series of shots towards Australia’s goal, but goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold blocked the equalizer.
Coach Kerr said, “It was a really good team performance on defense. (North Korea) was a good team, held the ball a lot, and put a lot of pressure on us.” “There were a lot of people in the audience today, so we crossed the line.”
World Cup participation spot
All four women’s Asian Cup semi-finalists will automatically qualify for next year’s World Cup in Brazil. The Australians will next face the winner of Saturday’s quarter-final. defending champion china And Taiwan.
North Korea will have another chance to qualify for the World Cup in next week’s playoffs. The fifth and sixth place teams in the continental tournament will also qualify for Brazil.
The end of the group stage earlier in the week was overshadowed. departure from iran From tournaments and granting asylum to members of the delegation.
The quarterfinals are around the corner
South Korea will play China and Taiwan in Perth before facing Uzbekistan in a night match in Sydney at Stadium Australia.
Japan heads into Sunday’s quarterfinal match against the Philippines with three wins from three games and one win and one loss. 17 goals, the most in the tournament without making any concessions.
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