Women's Asian Cup 2026: Imperfect Matildas get perfect result in off-brand display to stay alive

You only get one shot, or in this case two. And the Matildas took them both.

For the vast majority of the Women's Asian Cup quarterfinal between Australia and North Korea in Perth, the visitors were on top.

They dictated the pace, controlled possession, peppered their opponents' penalty area, and were methodical in their attacking raids.

But two mistakes — two rare mistakes — was all it took for Alanna Kennedy, and then Sam Kerr, to swoop and devour.

The 2-1 win at Perth's Rectangular Stadium was largely devoid of the entertainment-plus Joe Montemurro hallmarks of possession-based, controlled football.

But according to Montemurro, channelling Ted Lasso, their off-brand display has galvanised them and activated their most dangerous asset — belief.

"Games like this make you believe and I think that's what this team's needed from day one just to believe that they are a world-class team," he said.

And he conceded that sometimes the rules must go out the window in tournament football.

"Do I want to play a possession-based game? Do I want to keep the ball? Do I want to have opportunities? It's who I am, it's my DNA," he said.

"But part of my remit is to win football matches and sometimes you have to have that flexibility and the players know that. It's part of adapting to the situation."

Making the moments matter

Montemurro says it's the moments that matter, like Kennedy's blistering strike for her fifth goal in four games, or Kerr's sublime second after the break.

These showed how far the side has come since its opener against the Philippines, where it lacked cohesion and finishing in front of goal.

But they were the only moments where Australia ever really had the ascendancy.

The North Koreans were frustrated by their inability to find the final pass, or better final touch, which saw several big chances go begging.

With the exception of Kennedy, the Matildas' midfield largely went missing, pushing stray balls, and unable to dictate terms.

It meant the heavy lifting went to the backline, and goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold, who re-assumed brick wall status with multiple crucial saves.

It had been crumbling somewhat prior to the tournament, when she was expected to be replaced by Teagan Micah as the Matildas' first-choice shot stopper.

But Micah's late injury withdrawal helped lay the foundation to build Arnold back up. 

And after only making her own return from injury in the third group game, this was her best outing yet.

Montemurro admits the tempo of the game was beyond his side's control.

"North Korea were relentless. They kept going at that same pace for 90 minutes, I don't know how they do it, but they do it," he said.

"And we had to manage even the dead times with a bit of caution. It was interesting."

FIFA Women's World Cup bound

Kerr was pressured physically but came up trumps more times than not.

Her solo steal to set up Kennedy's first was all class, and despite attracting plenty of attention from the North Korean defenders, she managed to win most of her duels.

Her importance to the team was underscored by her commitment to tracking back and defending consistently too, and she added in a characteristic Kerr screamer for good measure.

And while she says she's not yet at 100 per cent on the continued comeback trail from the ACL injury, it can't be too far off.

"I know there's still moments in the game where I think I can turn, I can do more, but I've been obviously out for a while, I've got to find my feet again," she said.

"I've got to find my confidence and it's more a mental game now than anything, but goals like tonight and wins like tonight really help my confidence."

Kaitlyn Torpey was the replacement at left-back for Steph Catley, and stepped up to the occasion, effectively swatting away many North Korean raids.

Pre-game, she gave off "I was born ready" energy and delivered with a measured and calm performance in a game where Australia was under constant defensive pressure.

"What I love about Kaitlyn is she's such a good student of the game. She really wants to learn and keep developing," Montemurro said.

"She comes into every video session with a notepad, takes notes.

"She's brilliant and deserved all the accolades tonight. She did a great job. And we know that she's there for the team and for the future of the Matildas, so I'm proud of her."

Torpey was happy to deflect the praise onto others.

"That game gave us a lot of motivation, straight away Joe said let's go win this thing now," she said.

"So I think that was such a good step forward of we can put up a fight and we are ready for anything that comes at us."

It was a perfect result from an imperfect performance, but the most important win for the Matildas so far.

They have secured qualification for next year's Women's World Cup in Brazil and now await China or Chinese Taipei in Tuesday's semifinal.

That was always the upshot of finishing second in the group — despite having to travel back west, they avoid the overwhelming tournament favourite Japan in the final four.

Only 16,466 fans turned up to Perth Rectangular Stadium, organisers will be desperately hoping more show up at the 60,000-seat Perth Stadium for the semis.