Matildas finish on top of their Asian Cup group after a third successive win
They conceded a goal for the first time at the tournament, but the Matildas have won again to set up an Asian Cup quarter-final showdown with South Korea.
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The Matildas will meet South Korea in the Asian Cup quarter-finals after sealing first place in Group B with a 2-1 win over Thailand in Mumbai.
Goals to Emily van Egmond and Sam Kerr, who started the match on the bench, ensured the Matildas would top their group with three wins from three matches.
However, Australia’s hopes of a third successive clean sheet were dashed in stoppage time when Thailand substitute Nipawan Panyosuk scored with a brilliant volley after the Matildas failed to deal with a late corner.
Similar defensive lapses could prove costly on Sunday night when the Australians meet the South Koreans – who finished second in Group C behind Japan – for a place in the semi-finals.
With his side having already sealed quarter-final qualification after two straight group wins, Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson made nine changes to the team that started in last Monday night’s 4-0 win over the Philippines.
Only van Egmond and Steph Catley were retained in the starting line-up, with Gustavsson giving a host of his fringe players a chance to impress.
The Matildas also used their third goalkeeper of the tournament, with the experienced Lydia Williams starting between the posts.
Kerr was one of five substitutes who entered the contest, the others being Kyah Simon, Mary Fowler, Caitlin Foord and Emily Gielnik, who tasted game time for the first time in the tournament.
“I’m extremely impressed and happy how we’ve been able to manage players throughout the group stage from a physical perspective but I’m also happy from a football perspective,” Gustavsson said.
“We’ve been true to who we are no matter who’s on the park. We play the same way, everyone sees the same picture, we have the aggressive mindset (and) we attack with the ball.”
However, the Matildas, who lost attacking weapon Tameka Yallop to Covid-19 during the week, did not emerge unscathed from the contest, with Melbourne City teenager Holly McNamara limping off with what seemed a serious leg injury in the second half.
“It’s always emotional to see a player going down like that, and you worry about her,” Gustavsson said.
“I hope she gets well as soon as possible because she’s been really good at training, and it was a well-deserved start for her.”
The winner of the Matildas-South Korea clash will meet either the Philippines or Chinese Taipei for place in the final.
Despite losing to Australia, Thailand also reached the quarter-finals, where they will take on Japan.
In the other quarter-final, Group A winners China meet Vietnam.
Originally published as Matildas finish on top of their Asian Cup group after a third successive win
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