March 1 – Australia opened their home AFC Women’s Asian Cup with a 1-0 win over the Philippines in front of a record 44,379 crowd at the Perth Stadium.
The attendance in Perth eclipsed the previous record of 14,000 in 2024 in Vietnam.
Headlining the opening ceremony was Audrey Nuna, of KPop Demon Hunters who began with a three-song set before returning at to lead the half-time show.
The opening ceremony was a celebration of football, culture, and inclusivity spectacularly delivered through lighting design, pyrotechnics, and a cast of 260 artists. Individual heartbeats came to represent the 12 participating nations.
When the football began it was inevitably Sam Kerr, returning to the national team after an 18-month injury lay-off, who scored the decisive goal.
Australia are chasing their second Women’s Asian Cup title. Kerr is competiting in her fifth finals competition.
Kerr scored in the 14th minute after Clare Wheeler delivered a deep cross from the right to Caitlin Foord, who headed to an unmarked Kerr who hammered the ball in.
Australia should have doubled their lead in the 19th minute when Hayley Raso’s cross to Emily van Egmond was headed over. Raso looked to have scored 10 minutes later only to be ruled offside by VAR.
Australia had 88% possession but only one goal to show for their first half dominance.
The one-way traffic continued in the second half with Australia missing Kerr, Foord and Wheeler all missing good chances.
Late on Stephanie Catley drilled a shot just wide in the 82nd minute while Amy Sayer wasted another chance five minutes later.
Group A continues today with Iran against South Korea. While the AFC has postponed its upcoming club competition matches in the region, Iran’s matches in the Women’s Asian Cup are scheduled to go ahead.
Australia now travel east to west across the country to the Gold Coast for their second group game against Iran on Thursday. Philippines will meet South Korea Republic.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1772440078labto1772440078ofdlr1772440078owedi1772440078sni@n1772440078osloh1772440078cin.l1772440078uap1772440078
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