Sublime strikes from Caitlin Foord and Sam Kerr steered Australia to a hard-fought 2-1 win over defending champions China in their AFC Women\u2019s Asian Cup semi-final at the Perth Stadium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Matildas, seeking to lift the trophy for a second time, will meet either Korea or Japan in the final at Stadium Australia in Sydney on Saturday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Shao Ziqin and Wurigumula led China’s attack in the absence of the suspended Wang Shuang, while Steph Catley returned to the Australian lineup alongside Kyra Cooney-Cross.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite China starting with a high press, Australia were the first to threaten in the fifth minute when Foord delivered a precise cross into the box to Mary Fowler, who angled her shot over the bar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The East Asian side nearly broke through five minutes later when Wurigumula wriggled through the left channel before teeing-up Zhang Linyan but the Wuhan Jianghan University midfielder shot straight at Australia keeper Mackenzie Arnold.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That came back to haunt China in the 17th minute when Fowler orchestrated a fine move to release Ellie Carpenter on the right before setting up Caitlin Foord, who finished with a powerful drive into the bottom left corner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Australia\u2019s lead, however, lasted a mere nine minutes when Clare Hunt misjudged Yao Wei\u2019s deflected cross, allowing Linyan to break into the box only to be brought down by Arnold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Linyan made no mistake from the spot, sending Arnold the wrong way as the tie remained finely poised heading into the break.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
China started the second half on the front foot but Australia, pushed by their fans, regained the lead in the 58th minute after Foord played a perfectly timed through ball to Kerr, who surged past her marker before beating China PR keeper Peng Shimeng with an outrageous effort from an acute angle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With the clock ticking down, China sent on Jin Kun, Li Qintong and Liu Jing but could not find a breakthrough as Australia held firm to seal the victory and book their place in the final for the fourth time in six editions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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