Kerr and Foord propel improved Matildas past China to Women’s Asian Cup final

Plucky Australia beat defending champions 2-1

Hosts will face Japan or South Korea in Saturday decider

The Matildas are through to their first Women’s Asian Cup final since 2018 after a gutsy 2-1 defeat over reigning champions China in Perth on Tuesday night.

An early goal to Caitlin Foord was cancelled out by a China penalty midway through the first half after Zhang Linyan was tripped in the box by Mackenzie Arnold, but a solo effort from Sam Kerr in the second lifted Australia into their fifth major tournament final, and their first on home soil since 2006.