Asian Cup: Australia and South Korea play out six-goal thriller in front of record crowd | OneFootball

A record crowd of 60,279 for a Women’s Asian Cup match saw Australia snatch a last gasp draw with South Korea in Sydney.

Going into the game, the Matildas knew only a win would be enough to see them top the group and play all their remaining games in Sydney. Anything else would mean a trip back across to Perth. However, it would mean avoiding Japan until the final, should both teams make it that far.

Australia were able to claim a late draw in a six-goal thriller against the South Koreans, thanks to an equaliser deep into stoppage time courtesy of Alanna Kennedy.

South Korea took a 13th minute lead to send shockwaves around Stadium Australia. Jeon Yu-Gyeong broke down the left-hand side and crossed in for Mun Eun-Ju, who slid home past the returning Mackenzie Arnold.

The hosts were dealt another blow when Steph Catley was forced off with a suspected concussion five minutes later.

Kennedy brought the hosts level just after the half-hour mark. Mary Fowler’s corner wasn’t dealt with by the South Korea defence. It was then Fowler who eventually sent the ball goal-wards, where Kennedy was on hand to bundle it in.

That goal galvanised Joe Montemurro’s side and chances started to flow with more regularity. Sam Kerr fired into the side netting and Caitlin Foord saw an effort deflected wide.

Not to be denied, Kerr gave the hosts the lead on the stroke of half-time. She took Foord’s slide rule pass into her stride to sweep past Kim Min-Jung.

Embed from Getty Images

Australia snatch late draw against South Korea

If the sea of green and gold in the stands thought the momentum was back with them as the second half began, South Korea quickly set about putting those hopes to bed.

With five minutes of the half played, they were awarded a penalty for a handball against Courtney Nevin. Kim Shin-Ji stepped up and calmly sent Arnold the wrong way to level the score.

Three minutes later, the tide had turned completely. Kang Chae-Rim was afforded the freedom of Olympic Park on the right-hand side and she made Australia pay with precise finish across the face of goal. That quick-fire double seemed to completely nullify an Australia side that struggled to create much all evening.

Chances were at a premium and South Korea seemed more than happy to sit in and frustrate their opponents.

Embed from Getty Images

Kerr had huge appeals for a penalty waved away as the game entered stoppage time before Kennedy was denied by a fine save from Kim Min-Jung to claw her header away.

With time running out, Kennedy was in the right place to blast in an equaliser, clearing up after Kerr had split the centre backs and then did even better to avoid Kennedy’s thunderbolt from a couple of yards out.

The draw ensures South Korea will stay in Sydney for the rest of the tournament and will meet one of the two best third-placed sides.

For the hosts, however, its a trip back west to Perth where they will meet the Group B runner-up. That means a quarter-final tie against either the holders China or a strong-looking DPRK as they look to keep their dreams of a home tournament win alive.

Related articles from Her Football Hub: