Women's Asian Cup 2026: Matildas finish second in Group A after pulsating draw with South Korea

The Matildas have finished second in Group A at the Women's Asian Cup, with Alanna Kennedy's late equaliser earning her side a pulsating 3-3 draw with South Korea at Stadium Australia.

Having needed a win to top the group due to the Taeguk Ladies' superior goal difference, Australia will now travel to Perth for its Friday night quarterfinal against either North Korea of China, both of whom are giants of women's football.

South Korea, meanwhile, will have the luxury of remaining in Sydney for the rest of the tournament.

Australia coach Joe Montemurro said his side's preparation for the knockout stages won't change, despite the result adding another cross-continental journey to an already gruelling tournament schedule.

"We all want it to go perfect, there's always a little hiccup along the way. In the end we still haven't lost a game, in the end we still qualified for the quarter finals," Montemurro said

"I think our preparation stays the same... we now just have to manage the travel."

Kennedy's last minute equaliser was her second goal of the night and fourth in two games, remarkably moving the defensive midfielder level with North Korea's Myong Yu-jong as the tournament's top scorer.

Her latest effort — made possible by a neat Sam Kerr lay-off — was hammered home from near the penalty spot and came after South Korea had dictated much of the second half.

Australia led 2-1 at half-time, but was behind barely 10 minutes later.

South Korean substitute Kang Chae-rim was far too hot for the Australian defence, first winning a penalty, confidently converted by Kim Shin-ji, and then striking low and hard from the edge of the area to put her side in front.

Earlier, Kennedy turned in from a goal mouth scramble before Sam Kerr swept home in first-half stoppage time to send the majority of the 60,279 fans at Stadium Australia into raptures.

That came after a shaky start for the Matildas saw Mun Eun-ju put South Korea in front after 13 minutes, sliding in the six-yard box to complete a crisp counter attacking move.

And Australia's early struggles were only exacerbated when Steph Catley become the second Australian in as many matches to depart the field after taking a ball to the head.

Catley was hit from point blank range while defending a cross — she passed an initial concussion test but asked to be substituted just ten minutes later, putting her involvement in Friday's quarterfinal in serious doubt.

Her replacement, Courtney Nevin, struggled against the electric Kang and was the guilty party for South Korea's penalty, with VAR showing the fullback blocked Kang's shot with her arm.

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