Matildas Finish Group Stage with Draw, Take Second Place

Hosts Australia entered the Asian Cup as one of the tournament favourites, which is why their draw with Korea Republic to close the group stage may feel like a missed opportunity. The result left the Matildas in second place in the group. Korea Republic, as group winners, secured automatic qualification for the World Cup, while Australia will now have to navigate the play-offs to book their place.

Defender Alanna Kennedy, tournament's top goal scorer so far, scored twice for Australia, including the equaliser deep in stoppage time, bringing her tournament tally to four goals, but the result was not enough for the Matildas to top the group. Australia needed a win to finish first because South Korea held a superior goal difference, meaning the draw left the Matildas second in the standings while South Korea claimed top spot.

The result sends Australia to Perth for a quarter-final on Friday, where they will face either North Korea or reigning champions China - depends on result of their match. South Korea, having topped Group A, remain in Sydney for the knockout stage, gaining a logistical advantage compared with Australia’s cross-country travel during the tournament.