Key events
You’re going to have to wait for me to figure out the best way to share North Korea’s XI. They don’t exactly have an official Instagram account for me to grab a graphic from…
Standing across from the Matildas in the red corner are North Korea, playing in their first Asian Cup since 2010 and keen to re-assert themselves as one of Asia’s most dominant sides.
As long as their international exile has been, however, to describe Ri Song-ho’s side as ‘mysterious’ is getting a bit hackneyed at this point, especially given that we’ve had three games to watch them and, for the most part, they’ve played some tidy, high-tempo, aggressively pressing stuff.
Further, the North Koreans come into this tournament as the reigning U17 Asian Cup, U17 World Cup, U20 Asian Cup, and U20 World Cup champions, so we know that not only have they not been resting on their laurels during their time away from the international spotlight, they’ve been producing some pretty handy talent.
Of course… as we saw from whatever the hell that interminable delay following China’s second goal in their 2-1 defeat on the final day of group play, a game which set up their date with the Matildas, they’re also very capable of sillybuggers.
Matildas XI
The Matildas’ XI is in and, as forecast, Torpey comes into the XI to replace the concussed Catley. Emily Van Egmond, meanwhile, starts from the off.
Mackenzie Arnold starts in goal behind a back-four of Carpenter, Clare Hunt, Wini Heatley, and Torpey. Alanna Kennedy, fresh off two goals against South Korea, starts as the holding midfielder, behind Katrina Gorry and Van Emgond, who levels Clare Polkinghorne as the most-capped Matilda in history with appearance 169.
Up top, Caitlin Foord, Sam Kerr, and Fowler lead the line.
If you haven’t heard, the Matildas have already been struck two significant injury blows ahead of tonight’s game in the form of Hayley Raso and Steph Catley, both of whom are out with concussion.
Also missing the South Korea draw with the malady, Raso was replaced in the starting XI by Mary Fowler for that clash and, in all likelihood, that will remain the case for this evening’s contest.
Catley, meanwhile, was subbed off for Courtney Nevin in that game. And while Nevin has long since established herself as a regular back-up in squads, she was responsible for giving away the penalty that saw Kim Shin-ji level proceedings from the spot, and then – perhaps gunshy after giving away the handball for the penalty – afforded Kang Chae-rim far too much space on the go-ahead goal.
The Malmö FF defender is still the most likely starter and, after having a chance to gather herself and get a few arms wrapped around her in camp, will be eager to make amends. However, we can’t discount the possibility of utility Kaitlyn Torpey being thrown onto the left side of the defence – which, combined with Ellie Carpenter on the other flank – would give Australia a very zoomy backline.
Preamble
Joey Lynch
Howdy all, and welcome to the Guardian’s ongoing, live coverage of the Women’s Asian Cup, continuing tonight with minute-by-minute updates on the Matildas quarter-final clash with North Korea.
While they may have been forced to come-from-behind to snatch a 3-3 draw with the nation that did the actual damage in their last hit out, tonight offer’s a chance at redemption for Australia’s women: this the stage in which they were bundled out of the last tournament by South Korea – breaking a run that had seen them reach at least the semi-final in every iteration of the competition since officially joining the AFC.
That unfortunate evening, of course, would have seen the Matildas fail to qualify for the 2023 Women’s World Cup had they not been hosting and, four years on, a spot in the next Women’s World Cup, this one taking place in Brazil next year, is on the line in addition to a place in the final four.
The loser of tonight’s game doesn’t have their hopes completely dashed, though, as they’ll move on to a playoff on the Gold Coast with another chance at qualification. And even defeat in that game won’t end their dreams – instead sending them to a series of inter-confederation playoffs at the end of this year and the start of next year.
Nonetheless, it’ll be much easier for all involved, at least those of an Australian-bent, if Joe Montemurro’s side get the job done tonight.
Line-ups soon, with kick-off in Perth set for 6pm local/9pm AEDT
