2m agoFri 13 Mar 2026 at 9:46am
What’s on in Perth tonight?
20,000 capacity , not a sellout ? Seems a bit strange? Anything else on in Perth tonight ?
– Phillip
To be fair, looking at the seat map, there are probably only a few hundred seats left.
But after murmurs from some fans that this game should have been moved to the bigger Perth Stadium (60,000 capacity), it seems organisers made the right call to stay put.
3m agoFri 13 Mar 2026 at 9:45am
ICYMI: North Korea refuses to play after offside decision
(Getty Images)
In its final group game against China, North Korea provided us with the most sensational moment of the Asian Cup to date.
After VAR handed China a goal in first-half stoppage time, the North Korean players gathered on the touchline, protesting with the officials and refusing to play the remainder of the first period.
Eventually, the half-time whistle blew without the game being restarted.
North Korea has something of a reputation for those types of theatrics, so don’t be surprised if we’re treated to something similar this evening.
9m agoFri 13 Mar 2026 at 9:39am
Torpey to turn it on
With Steph Catley out of this game with concussion, there was a lot of intrigue over who would fill the void at left back.
Coach Joe Montemurro has opted for Kaitlyn Torpey, who is an incredibly versatile player that can make an impact up front, or from the back, and is a composed presence.
(Getty Images)
Montemurro told Paramount+ she can get the job done.
“We felt from a technical, tactical position, she could really fill that void,” he said.
“She’s played big games before, she knows what it’s all about and we have complete faith in her.”
10m agoFri 13 Mar 2026 at 9:38am
Scout report: Well-drilled, physical North Korea up for the fight
Playing its first major international tournament since 2011, three-time Asian Cup winner North Korea has returned to the world stage with serious intent.
The Eastern Azaleas were aggressive and oh so impressive in the group stage, pressing high in midfield and cramping their opponents for room, especially in the first half of matches.
The Matildas will need to be composed, well-discipline and have their wits about them if they are to book a semi-final berth.
Here is our take on what Australia can expect from a full-throttle, well-drilled side this evening.
18m agoFri 13 Mar 2026 at 9:30amDPRK team news: Finally, a change!
(Paramount Plus)
For the first time at the Asian Cup, North Korea coach Ri Song Ho has made a change to his starting XI!
It’s at left back, where Song Chun Sim comes in for Hwang Yu Yong.
Otherwise, it’s the same team that earned DPRK second spot in Group B.
Myong Yu Jong, who has netted four goals at the tournament already, will be the creative hub in midfield, while striker Kim Kyong Yong will undoubtedly be a handful for Australian central defenders Clare Hunt and Wini Heatley.
The side will set up in a disciplined, high-pressing 4-4-2.
19m agoFri 13 Mar 2026 at 9:28am
Quarterfinal schedule
So, tonight’s match between the Matildas and North Korea is the first of four quarterfinals at the 2026 Asian Cup.
Here’s the full schedule (times in AEDT):
Today, 9pm, Perth Rectangular Stadium: Australia (A2) vs North Korea (B2)Saturday, 4pm, Perth Rectangular Stadium: China (B1) vs Chinese Taipei (C2)Saturday, 8pm, Stadium Australia: South Korea (A1) vs Uzbekistan (3B)Sunday, 8pm, Stadium Australia: Japan (C1) vs Philippines (A3)
23m agoFri 13 Mar 2026 at 9:25am
Tickets still available
This is a PSA for anyone in the vicinity of Perth Rectangular Stadium – there are still tickets available!
The smaller venue being used in Perth only seats 20,000 fans, so I’m pretty surprised that it’s not at capacity with kick-off imminent.
This tournament has smashed all kinds of attendance records, thanks largely to the big turnouts to the Matildas games, but there’s yet to be a sell-out.
26m agoFri 13 Mar 2026 at 9:22am
North Korea players to watch
 Despite being all but absent from international competition for 16 years, North Korea has remained a titan of junior football.
The country’s world-leading women’s football infrastructure has seen the U17 and U20 teams continue to dominate the global game, combining for three World Cups since 2024 alone.
The North Korean side at this tournament is very youthful, featuring just a couple players over the age of 26 and boasting a number of the stars from those all-conquering youth sides.
Choe Il Son is yet to start a game in Australia, but was an impactful second-half substitute against both Bangladesh and China. The 19-year-old attacker was the best player and top scorer at the U20 tournament in 2024, and is undoubtedly one of the most exciting young players in world football.
(Getty Images)
Kim Kyong Yong is the side’s star centre-forward. She’s already netted three times at this tournament, taking her international record to 29 goals from 21 games.
(Getty Images)
And Myong Yu Jong is one to keep an eye on in central midfield. She will see a lot of the ball and will orchestrate many of her side’s attacks, while also pushing forward into the final third.
(Getty Images)
33m agoFri 13 Mar 2026 at 9:15am
Raso, Catley sidelined
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The Matildas will be without two of their biggest stars tonight, with both Hayley Raso and Steph Catley sidelined due to concussion.
Catley copped a ball to the face while defending a cross against South Korea on Sunday, leaving the field in the first half.
Raso, meanwhile, hasn’t been since Australia’s 4-0 victory over Iran last Thursday, in which the tenacious winger wore two separate stray crosses to the head.
(Getty Images)
Ouch.
34m agoFri 13 Mar 2026 at 9:14amMatildas team news: Van Egmond, Torpey in from the start
So, a slight reshuffle for the Matildas.
As expected, there’s a change at left back, with Kaitlyn Torpey coming in for the concussed Steph Catley. That means Courtney Nevin, who had a tough time after replacing Catley against South Korea, is on the bench.
Clare Hunt and Wini Heatley line up in the centre of defence with the ever-reliable Ellie Carpenter to their right.
In midfield, Emily van Egmond starts at the point of midfield, making her 169th international appearance and becoming the Matildas’ equal-most capped player. What an achievement.
Katrina Gorry and four-goal Alanna Kennedy will be doing the running behind her.
Up front, it’s Sam Kerr, Caitlin Foord and Mary Fowler. Not a bad forward three.
And Mackenzie Arnold, after making her first tournament appearance in the final group game, continues in goal.
56m agoFri 13 Mar 2026 at 8:52am
Welcome!
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I hope none of you are too attached to your fingernails, because they may well be gone by the end of tonight.
Welcome to ABC Sport’s online coverage of the Matildas’ Asian Cup quarterfinal with North Korea.
It is bound to be a night of high drama in Perth as the Australians come up against one of the true giants of women’s football.
My name is Henry Hanson, and I’ll be joined by Chris de Silva and Amanda Shalala to bring you all the action from the imaginatively named Perth Rectangular Stadium.
Sit down, strap yourself in – we have quite the night ahead of us.