Matildas fever has shown no signs of slowing down in Perth, with Optus Stadium hosting a strong crowd for the Women’s Asian Cup tournament opener against the Philippines.

At kick-off, the ground was not quite at capacity, as it was for Australia’s 8-0 win over the same opponent at the venue in 2023.

But 44,379 seats were filled with waves of green and gold, suggesting the afterglow from a 2023 Women’s World Cup which saw the side become national heroes is a long way from fading away.

WA supporters did not have to wait long to see hometown hero Sam Kerr back on the scoresheet, with the side’s captain heading home their first goal in the 14th minute.

The Matildas dominated the remainder of the game but ultimately proved unable to come up with a second goal, with Kerr’s intervention proving decisive in a 1-0 win.

Ahead of the game, the crowd was treated to a performance from Audrey Nuna, who emerged as a global superstar on the back of her starring role in smash hit film K-Pop Demon Hunters.

The American singer and rapper capped off an opening ceremony which also included Australian singer Zipporah giving a rendition of the tournament’s anthem That’s How We Win and a Welcome to Country.

Her near 10-minute set, which featured support from dozens of back-up dancers, did not include her most famous song Golden, a five-times platinum record in Australia.

She returned at half-time for an exclusive encore, which was not broadcast around the world.

Ahead of the game, 12-year-old fan Zara Winter said she was hoping to see a contest which delivered as much excitement as the Matildas’ 6-5 win over Zambia at the 2024 Olympic Games.

“That was the day when I was like, ‘I want to be a Matilda one day’,” she said.

Winter’s father Sam said he had been amazed to see how much affection for the Matildas had been created in recent years.

“I saw the Matildas play Thailand over here in about 2008, and it’s just developed so much,” he said.

“Every year, there’s more people, more girls. I just love that, seeing more people involved.”

WA captain Kerr was a common choice for favourite Matilda among fans but others, including Hayley Raso and sidelined pair Mackenzie Arnold and Kyra Cooney-Cross, were also floated.

“She’s just an inspiration,” teenage fan Taylor Carey said of Cooney-Cross while wearing a kit bearing her name.

Carey was among some fans who told The West Australian they would be at other games in Perth throughout the tournament, which will include a pair of quarterfinals and a semifinal at HBF Park.

But despite tournament organisers the Asian Football Confederation recently unveiling a buy-one, get-one-free ticket offer for some games, others said they were not planning on attending contests which will not feature the Matildas.

Some fans reported issues entering the ground in a similar vein to AFL Origin, but an Optus Stadium spokesperson said the “gates operated well”.

“Patrons continue to familiarise themselves with the enhanced digital ticketing operation at turnstiles. Communication on the new process will continue ahead of the AFL season,” the spokesperson said.