Is it possible to feel completely satisfied but wanting more all at once?
Two incredible left-footed finishes from Sam Kerr and Alanna Kennedy against DPR Korea at the start of either half secured the Matildas a 2-1 win, a semi-final spot at the Asian Cup and automatic qualification for next year’s FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
Full-time triggered euphoric scenes, but only after a performance that was individually brilliant yet at times lacked collective cohesion.
Get all the latest football news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now >
It was a lesson in how to win when your backs are against the wall, and nothing makes Australian fans prouder. But it was also hard not to look on with envy at the football being produced by DPR Korea and want that instead.
Perhaps it was all part of a carefully crafted plan that will come to a glorious conclusion in seven days in Sydney.
Coach Joe Montemurro certainly hinted that could be the case when he revealed post-game that tournament football sometimes needs to be effective rather than pretty.
Progression over completed passes.
Can we have both?
It’s no doubt what the side is working towards but for now it remains a work in progress as they try to win the Asian Cup for a second time.
That 2010 triumph was a long time ago in football terms. Sam Kerr is the only remaining member of that squad.
The group that followed has been dubbed the golden generation. What lies ahead is the chance to put a fourth-place finish at the 2023 Women’s World Cup – including a semi-final defeat to England on home soil – and a surprising group-stage exit at the Paris Olympics the year after to bed.
“We’ve learned a lot from our past experiences and we don’t want that to happen again,” Kennedy told Channel 10 after the game.
THE TALE OF AN INCREDIBLE STAT SHEET
On the balance of chances, the Matildas were fortunate to reach half-time 1-0 up.
DPR Korea ended the first half with 58 per cent of the ball, had eight shots (four on target), entered Australia’s final third a staggering 51 times and hit the post from a golden chance just before the whistle.
In contrast, Kennedy’s stunning left-footed strike that gave the Matildas the lead was the hosts’ only shot for the entire half.
Australia’s response to DPR Korea’s much talked about physicality and work rate was seriously impressive. It was a defensive masterclass, but it’s clear this is still a side working out how to change gears.
There were multiple occasions where the Matildas created the opportunity to release the pressure valve through their commitment to doing the hard work without the ball. Instead, a loose pass or rushed decision left them unable to take a breath.
The second half brought a little more relief.
There was slightly more control and composure but even at 2-0 up it seemed like the weight of possession and chances being created by DPR Korea had to turn into something.
It did in the 65th minute, but somehow that outcome didn’t eventuate again.
DPR Korea ended the match with 62 per cent of possession, 21 shots (10 on target), 106 final third entries, 44 crosses to five and 31 touches to seven in the opposition box.
DID THE PERFORMANCE STILL PLAY OUT AS INTENDED THOUGH?
Looking at the stat sheet, it would be easy to conclude the Matildas had a rough night at the office.
If the plan was to control the game by controlling the ball, then there’s still a significant amount of work to be done, but it appears as though that wasn’t the case.
The midfield three of Katrina Gorry, Emily van Egmond and Kennedy were beyond courageous trying to shut down DPR Korea’s slick ball movement and smart positioning but once the ball was won back, they couldn’t get on the ball themselves.
The game became transitional, open and frantic.
Montemurro saw it coming against what he described as the “best team in the tournament,” on Ten after the game.
Japan might have something to say about that but what we saw play out in Perth on Friday night might not have been too far from what the coach predicted and planned for.
“We had a bit of a game plan. This is tournament football and you’ve got to find ways to win games,” Montemurro said.
“We had to do a different type of football, a football that isn’t great, but as I said it’s tournament football and we have to find ways.
“We knew that we’d be pinned down a little bit.
“We just tried to stop areas in midfield. When we were successful at that we were good but at times we left ourselves a little bit exposed.”
AUSTRALIA WAS CLINICAL WHERE IT MATTERED
Given the game plan it was the best possible night for the Matildas to find their clinical edge in front of goal.
Chances were going to be few and far between and would need to be capitalised on.
Australia had four shots in total for the match, and two of them rocketed into the back of the net.
By the time Kerr scored Australia’s second both shots on goal had resulted in the Matildas advantage increasing.
The strikes also came from the non-preferred left feet of Kerr and Kennedy.
“We took our moments, they didn’t and it went our way,” Montemurro told Ten.
MACKENZIE ARNOLD ANSWERS QUESTIONS OVER FORM AND FITNESS
The minister for defence is back.
Mackenzie Arnold made nine saves – two of them spectacular – had two clearances and 50 touches.
Arnold arrived in Australia for the tournament with her club side, NWSL outfit Portland Thorns, still in pre-season and struggling with a calf issue that saw her miss the first two group stage games against the Philippines and Iran.
Chloe Lincoln recorded back-to-back clean sheets in her absence.
It was an assured performance from Arnold and reminiscent of the goalkeeper who shot to prominence during the 2023 World Cup.
A dominant shot stopper infuses a side with belief and more of the same will be needed from here.
KAITLYN TORPEY FILLS GIANT VOID LEFT BY STEPH CATLEY
It shouldn’t be easy to replace a Champions League winner.
Arsenal’s Steph Catley was ruled out of the quarter-final after suffering a head knock in the first half of the Matildas’ 3-3 draw with Korea Republic in Sydney.
Montemurro would’ve loved to have had Catley lining up at left back. Her experience in big games, let alone skill, leaves a giant hole.
Kaitlyn Torpey eased the pain of Catley’s absence with a warrior-like display.
The versatile 25-year-old had 72 touches, 8 clearances, won possession 6 times and made 3 interceptions.
The game was so intense Torpey was even overcome with emotion at full-time.
“As soon as the final whistle went, I started tearing up, probably sobbing actually, but I honestly don’t know if I’ve felt like that after a game before,” she told Channel 10.
“It just felt so good and it felt like we really fought for that win.
“We fought with our lives.”
“I honestly just didn’t want to put too much pressure on myself,” she added.
“I just wanted to enjoy the moment. I mean I got to play in the quarter final of an Asian Cup.
“Not many people can say that and I felt very fortunate to do that but I was ready for it and I’ve been training like I’m ready to play whenever I get the opportunity and that’s hopefully what I showed.”
“I can’t even describe the feeling.”
WHAT HAPPENS FROM HERE?
A game as physically demanding as that will take a toll on the players.
Sam Kerr, Mary Fowler, Caitlin Foord, Katrina Gorry, Ellie Carpenter, Clare Hunt and Wini Heatley have all played big minutes so far.
The Matildas’ opponents will have had a day less to rest though before having to go again on Tuesday night at Perth Stadium.
At this stage of the tournament that could be a valuable edge.
Should the Matildas reach the final on Saturday night they’ll also have had a day more to recover before the decider, but that is likely to be offset by needing to relocate to Sydney again.
Discussion about this post