Women’s Asian Cup: Matildas return to Perth for knock-out stages ensures avoidance of Japan until final

There will be valid frustration from the Matildas about having to return to Perth. But even the path back to Sydney for the final is far from certain, their now-concrete road ahead might be slightly less rigorous. And while the doomsday brigade and naysayers might be readying themselves for a busy few days, it is not time to hit the panic button just yet. Sure, a westbound flight from Sydney after three games in eight days is less than ideal for aching bodies, particularly after their draining 3-3 draw with South Korea ran for more than 105 minutes including stoppage time. And yes, whoever emerges as their opponent out of North Korea and China will be a tough opponent who like South Korea on Sunday night, will grind them down. But if you are a Matildas fan right now, or maybe even an employee of Football Australia, there surely must be a small feeling of gratitude that now, they will not have to play Japan in a semifinal. Asian’s two biggest and arguably best teams looked on a collision course for a semifinal in Sydney, which would have likely occurred had the Matildas beaten South Korea. Instead, it is the Koreans who find themselves on Japan’s side of the draw, with the Matildas suddenly finding themselves with the slightly easier of the two paths. That does not mean we should simply pencil Australia in for a final, and nor should we assume Japan will be there — if Korea’s effort on Sunday night is anything to go by, they will give the world No.8 side plenty to ponder. Tournament football promises nothing and delivers plenty — particularly upsets — but although the Matildas will be annoyed with their performance against South Korea, they will be slightly happier knowing they will not need to see Japan until the final, provided one or both of them make it. The main concern for Australia should not be over travel, nor the draw which may have felt like a loss, but the way in which they lost control of the game in both halves. Particularly, how they bypassed their midfield in a way they have not previously done so under coach Joe Montemurro was of note, coupled with how Korea cut through them like ribbons on the counter-attack. Even that might be secondary to the health of Steph Catley, who had the misfortune of becoming the second Matilda in as many games to suffer a concussion after sustaining a hard-hit cross to the head. The left back’s absence and the lack of assurance her presence provides was magnified by poor Courtney Nevin’s tough night against an excellent Kang Chae-Rim, who was magnificent attacking Australia’s flank in the second half.