Key events
Catch up on our full report from Allianz Stadium as the Matildas returned to winning ways with a 1-0 win over South Korea.
Full-time: Australia 1-0 South Korea
The Matildas hang on for a stirring victory that they so desperately needed over South Korea after a concerning run of results under interim coach Tom Sermanni. Lim Seonjoo’s own goal when deflecting Emily van Egmond’s cross into her own net proved the difference in a game that ebbed and flowed.
Sermanni was forced to name a starting XI mixed with the old and the new as the Matildas were struck down by injuries in the build up to the game and had playmaker Mary Fowler among the substitutes. But Caitlin Foord was a familiar face leading the line and threatening the South Korea defence with her darting runs. The attacker played a key role in the goal that separated the two sides at Allianz Stadium with a gut-busting run through the centre of the pitch that unlocked Van Egmond on the left. The veteran midfielder’s cross was fortunate to find Seonjoo’s head on the way to the top corner but it was arguably no less than the Matildas deserved after having more and the better of attacking moments.
92 mins: Torpey and Heyman combine well down the right to work their way into the box but then lack the composure to finish off the job. A tame cross gives the ball back to the South Korea keeper as the visitors set off on another attack. Five minutes of added time.
90 mins: The Matildas are inviting pressure now as they sit back and let South Korea play around the back. Still time for an equaliser yet it looks like Australia are largely holding out for the final whistle.
88 mins: Ji Soyun almost has a late say on proceedings, just as she did when these sides met at the last Women’s Asian Cup. A searching ball is just out of reach of Choo Hyojoo in the box and Australia will take all the time that they can to collect their thoughts.
86 mins: Micah is called into action again from another corner. The keeper fails to clear at the first attempt as her fist can only send the ball straight up in the air. Micah is able to desperately clear it away the second time while standing on the goalline.
85 mins: What a save! The Matildas have kept the door ajar by failing to make the most of their chances and South Korea very nearly step through it. A cross, a second ball and a header from Shin Nayeong towards the bottom corner is heading in if not for a diving save from Micah.
83 mins: One-way traffic now as the Matildas set up in their attacking third. Heyman has a header cleared off the goalline, Cooney-Cross can’t quite get the ball out of her feet when directly in front of goal, then Fowler has perhaps the best chance of the lot with a strike on her right boot that is on target if not for being blocked.
81 mins: Clare Wheeler has been influential in the midfield since coming on, comfortable with the ball at her feet and looking to quickly turn.
79 mins: Oh, Mary! Fowler has barely touched the ball since coming on but is now only millimetres away from scoring. Michelle Heyman surges forward, threatening the South Korea defence before Fowler has the ball at her feet. One touch, a second touch and she’s almost through on goal before tripping over the ball. The attacker throws a left boot at the ball and it curls past the keeper and narrowly wide of the goal.
76 mins: 37,199 fans in the house.
74 mins: A South Korea corner quickly becomes a chance for the Matildas as Cooney-Cross blazes a path through the midfield. Michelle Heyman, who has been on for barely two minutes in place of Tameka Yallop, is along side her as the South Korea defence desperately retreats, but Cooney-Cross takes the shot on herself and can only send it high and wide.
71 mins: More changes for the Matildas with Mary Fowler entering the attack. South Korea won’t be too displeased to see Caitlin Foord making way, after the forward has been a class above this evening and showed how easily she can turn a game when in full flight.
69 mins: Caitlin Foord collects, spins and releases the ball in one action to find Tameka Yallop on her own on the left side of the box. Yallop has time to pick her spot but shoots straight at keeper Kim Minjung. The Matildas keep the door open.
66 mins: Torpey almost makes an immediate impact as she takes on the South Korea defence. The 25-year-old must have been narrowly onside as the flag stays down but is unable to complete the play.
63 mins: Mass changes for the Matildas. A shame to see Holly McNamara make way along with Wini Heatley and Jamilla Rankin. Kaitlyn Torpey, Clare Wheeler and Courtney Nevin join the fun.
61 mins: Steph Catley forces a gap down the left side as the Matildas skipper is pushed, pulled, grabbed by the shirt and still almost finds space for a cross before running out of road.
59 mins: The Matildas have been forced to take a seat under several robust challenges this evening but this time it appears to be cramp as Jamilla Rankin takes a breather. Substitutes coming soon.
56 mins: The Matildas celebrate with Emily van Egmond but the veteran midfielder is unlikely to be awarded the goal. The flowers should really go to Caitlin Foord anyway, with the attacker’s control at pace while charging through the midfield putting fear in the backtracking South Korea defence to set up the shot.
GOAL! Australia 1-0 South Korea (Seonjoo og ’54)
South Korea push forward for the first time in the half but that quickly allows the Matildas to stretch the field going back the other way. Foord carries the ball through the midfield, releases van Egmond all alone on her left for a long cross that is deflected into the far top corner despite a desperate dive from South Korea keeper Kim Minjung.
51 mins: The Matildas have begun the second half in much the same manner as they did the first – full of energy with a high press proving difficult to break through.
49 mins: McNamara picks up where she left off in the first half as one-touch passing from Catley and then van Egmond releases the young attacker in the box. The darting cross can’t find feet as it sails through and beyond the six-yard box.
47 mins: Catley’s free kick causes chaos in the box but the South Korea defence gradually get the scramble back under control.
46 mins: The second half begins and almost immediately hearts are in Matildas mouths as Kyra Cooney-Cross crashes heavily to the turf. The midfielder takes quite some time to get to her feet but eventually we are back under way.
South Korea have had more of the possession at 57-43% while the Matildas have edged the shots on goal 5-4 as both sides have directed two on target. But it is the increased action in near the opposition goal that will please interim coach Tom Sermanni, with the Matildas clearly in front 10-3 for touches in the box and spending considerably more time in their attacking third.
Now to find a way to turn that territorial advantage into a goal threat, whether with or without key playmaker Mary Fowler in the second half.
Half-time: Australia 0-0 South Korea
A half of swinging momentum comes to a close after the Matildas made a bright start while keeping the South Korea defence stranded in a low block, but then handed back the impetus following a head knock to attacker Caitlin Foord. South Korea had their chances from there without quite troubling Matildas keeper Teagan Micah.
Foord had arguably the best chance of the game so far on the cusp of half-time after being set free by Holly McNamara but only seeing her shot wafted away. McNamara has shaken the South Korea defence with her blistering speed even while the stalemate feels like the right scoreline at the break.
46 mins: A wonderful ball from Holly McNamara releases Caitlin Foord charging into the penalty box. The Matildas attacker takes the shot early and aims high towards the far post but it is a comfortable height for the South Korea keeper.
44 mins: Grant gives the ball away again then is fortunate to avoid a caution after leaning into a challenge. The right-back is full of gusto at the moment but might appreciate the break.
42 mins: The Matildas are back to pressing as the clock ticks down towards half-time. That forces an error as Grant bursts forward to intercept a limp South Korea pass but immediately gives the ball back.
40 mins: South Korea have a foothold in the game now with the Matildas doing little to threaten since Foord went down after a head clash. Charli Grant takes on a pair of South Koreans down the right and almost gets a cross in before running out of room as the ball trickles out for a goal kick.
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