The Matildas are through to the last four of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup after goals from Alanna Kennedy and Sam Kerr secured a 2-1 win over North Korea in the quarterfinals.<\/p>\n
Goalscoring machine Alanna Kennedy<\/a> and captain Sam Kerr<\/a> have produced mesmerising strikes to lift the Matildas<\/a> to a nervy 2-1 victory<\/a> over North Korea<\/a> in their Women’s Asian Cup<\/a> quarterfinal in Perth.<\/p>\n In front of 16,466 fans at HBF Park on Friday night, Kennedy struck in the ninth minute for her fifth goal of the tournament before Kerr made it 2-0 in the 47th minute.<\/p>\n World No. 9 North Korea dominated for large parts of the match, and pulled a goal back in the 65th minute via Chae Un-Yong<\/a>.<\/p>\n There were plenty of nervy moments from then on for Australia, with goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold<\/a> forced to make a series of diving saves, including one from a 38-yard effort from An Kuk-Hyang<\/a>.<\/p>\n But the 2010 champions were able to hold on, setting up a semi-final encounter against either China<\/a> or Chinese Taipei<\/a> at Optus Stadium on Tuesday.<\/p>\n The win also secured Australia direct qualification for the 2027 World Cup<\/a> in Brazil.<\/p>\n Australia unleashed just one shot in the first half — and luckily for the hosts it was a thing of beauty.<\/p>\n Kerr set up the goal after stripping her opponent of possession near the sideline and firing a cross into the box.<\/p>\n The ball deflected to Kennedy, who calmly took a touch with her right foot before firing in a thunderbolt off her left from the edge of the box to send the crowd into raptures.<\/p>\n The rest of the half belonged to North Korea, whose slick passing and pin-point crosses caused plenty of nervy moments.<\/p>\n Arnold had to dive to her left to save Kim Kyong-Yong<\/a>‘s header in the 26th minute, and the veteran goalkeeper was at it again seven minutes later when she blocked Chae’s angled strike.<\/p>\n