Sam Kerr’s all-time miss as Matildas crash out of Asian Cup

Just like that, the Matildas’ wait for a piece of elusive silverware will have to wait another 18 months as they were dumped out of the Asian Cup.

Sam Kerr after missing a chance at goal.

Just like that, the Matildas’ wait for a piece of elusive silverware will have to wait another 18 months as they were dumped out of the Asian Cup quarter-finals courtesy of a late screamer.

South Korea’s Ji-So Yun struck in the dying moments with her thunderbolt proving the difference as Australia were made to rue a number of chances, ending their push for a second Asian Cup crown.

Having set the goal of silverware prior to the tournament, it’s a disappointing finish to the campaign having failed to get through their first major challenge of the tournament.

While the game didn’t come without its controversy due to a number of penalty shouts which went unrewarded, the Matildas had numerous opportunities to put the game to bed when the scores were still level.

Sam Kerr hit the post, missed an open-goal and squandered a number of chances on goal in the first-half while Mary Fowler also came close early in the piece.

Sam Kerr on the attack during the AFC Women's Asian Cup quarter final between Australia and South Korea (Photo by Thananuwat Srirasant/Getty Images)

Korea on the other-hand took theirs when it mattered, putting behind a missed first-half penalty and securing their place in the final four where they’ll take on either Taiwan or the Philippines in the semi-finals.

The result leaves Tony Gustavsson to pick up the pieces ahead of a crucial year and a half in the lead-up to the Women’s World Cup on home soil.

“I’m happy (for them) to criticise me, which I think is fair, but I also think that to do that by looking at the performance as well so it’s a fair criticism,” Gustavsson said.

“Criticise me for what I could’ve done better because that’s what the game is about. I’ve been around the game long enough, for two decades, to know it’s not going to be on me now and I take full ownership of that.

“Obviously, I am going to look at what I could have done differently as well. It’s a little bit too early to say that I could have done differently.”

VAR HEADACHES

The VAR again created more problems than it did solutions as it was brought into use for the first-time this tournament.

It was the utilisation of the video assistant that was again brought into question following a number of dubious decisions which swayed the result entirely.

Both Sam Kerr and Steph Catley were seemingly brought down inside the Matildas’ penalty area with the VAR failing to at least check the respective challenges after it looked, from at least face-value, that they were fouled.

However, the frustrations surrounding its use were only fuelled after the Aussies were penalised for a less obvious foul by Caitlin Foord on the stroke of half-time which resulted in a missed Korean penalty in between both of the non-calls.

Clare Polkinghorne (1st L) of Australia heads the ball during the AFC Women's Asian Cup quarter final between Australia and South Korea (Photo by Thananuwat Srirasant/Getty Images)

WILLIAMS THE WALL

Despite the loss, Lydia Williams has put her stake in the ground as Australia’s number-one goal-keeper.

Williams, who returned to the starting line-up in their final group game against Thailand, maintained her spot in the side ahead of Teagan Micah and Mackenzie Arnold — rewarding Gustavsson’s faith with an incredible performance between the sticks.

With the game still delicately poised early in the second-half, the veteran shot-stopper rose to the occasion with a number of huge saves to keep the game level as Korea pushed for the all-important opener.

However, Williams could do nothing to stop Ji’s thunder-bolt which soared past her out-stretched arm.

Originally published as Sam Kerr’s all-time miss as Matildas crash out of Asian Cup