Asian Cup final: Matildas turn attention to Japan

The Matildas have moved on from a sub-par performance against Thailand and are focused on Japan in the Asian Cup final.

Australia forward Sam Kerr takes on the Thailand defence in their Asian Cup semi-final in Amman. Picture: AFP

For Sam Kerr and the Matildas, there is one big positive to take away from their below-par Asian Cup semi-final outing against Thailand.

They won.

The Matildas needed an injury-time equaliser and then a penalty shootout against the lowly ranked Thais, but they came out on top.

“We found a way,” Kerr said.

“It was frustrating. A frustrating day. When people start getting frustrated, myself included, that’s a tough way to play football.

“It’s two games in a row we’ve scored after the 80th minute. That’s not easy.

“The main thing is we’ve made the final for the third consecutive time.”

And that’s where the Matildas are drawing a line under their semi-final performance and they are putting all their energy into tomorrow morning’s (AEST) final with Japan.

Kerr said any video analysis of the 2-2 draw and 3-1 shootout win was likely to be highly selective ahead of the final to ensure the mood stays positive.

“Any time you get to play in a final, everyone’s buzzing. Especially playing against Japan, one of the best teams in the world,” she said. “We’re pumped.”

Kerr has played her role in the continental rivalry with Japan. She found the much-needed equaliser in their group clash earlier this week, and scored a hat-trick in their previous meeting; a 4-2 win on the way to the Matildas’ Tournament of Nations success.

Australia also prevented the former world champions from reaching the 2016 Olympic Games with a 3-1 win in Japan.

But the Nadeshiko have enjoyed their fair share of triumphs; knocking Australia out of the 2015 World Cup and claiming the 2014 Asian Cup final, both with a 1-0 scoreline.

Kerr predicts another tight affair. “It’s another chapter in the ­rivalry,” she said. “Japan are such a good team that I think it will be super tight, especially when we’ve both played four games in two weeks.

“I reckon one goal will be enough to win it.”

AAP