Australia’s Matildas are one win away from a major tournament final on home soil, but must get past reigning Women’s Asian Cup champions China tonight. Semi-final live from 9pm AEDT!
Former Matildas coach Ante Milicic leads China, with his friend and Aussie boss Joe Montemurro regaining Steph Catley from concussion but Hayley Raso is on the bench, after they both missed the 2-1 quarter-final win over North Korea with concussion.
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MATCH CENTRE: Australia vs China Women’s Asian Cup semi-final live
China has gone 4-0 at this tournament scoring nine goals and conceding just one, though they needed extra time to get past Chinese Taipei in the quarter-finals.
“I have the most respect for Ante as a person and as a student of the game,” Montemurro said.
“There is going to be a tactical battle that I need to be prepared for off the pitch, I need to make those decisions because I know he is going to throw some things at us.”
Van Egmond on the brink of CRAZY record | 00:59
The Matildas are trying to return to the final for the first time since 2018, where either Japan or South Korea awaits. They play their semi-final on Wednesday night.
Australia has only won the tournament once, in 2010, defeating North Korea in the final on penalties.
They have also lost three finals, to China (2006 on penalties) and to Japan (2014 and 2018).
Matildas XI: Arnold (GK), Hunt, Catley, Torpey, Foord, Fowler, Kennedy, Gorry, Kerr (c), Carpenter, Cooney-Cross
Subs: Nevin, Heatley, Rankin, Wheeler, Van Egmond, Lincoln, Chidiac, Johnson, Raso, Sayer, Aquino (GK), Heyman, Rule, McNamara, Siemsen
Follow Australia vs China in the Asian Cup semi-final live from 9pm AEDT below!