Australia and Korea Republic qualify for the knockout stage

Hosts Australia and 2022 finalists Korea Republic became the first teams to book their place in the knockout stage of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026.

It turned out to be a record-breaking night for women’s football in Asia, with the all-time AFC Women’s Asian Cup record attendance already being broken. Out on the pitch, both teams comfortably sealed their progression from Group A at the Gold Coast Stadium.

Korea Republic were first up in action against the Philippines, with head coach Shin Sang-woo opting to rest several big-name Korean players, including the likes of Ji So-yun and Choe Yu-ri and instead fielded a much younger side.

Jeon Yu-gyeong opened the scoring in the 12th minute after producing a neat swivel before getting her shot away, followed by Park Soo-jeong’s stunning curler to double the lead in the 15th minute.

Mun Eun-ju completed the scoring in the second half with Taegeuk Ladies now having scored three goals in each of their first two matches in their bid to win their first-ever continental title.

It was the turn of Australia then, in the later kickoff to match Korea’s points tally and they went on to beat Iran 4-0 with a professional performance.

Amy Sayer struck early in the 8th minute when her speculative attempt from range went in. They didn’t have to wait long for the second goal, with Mary Fowler bundling the ball home from close range in the 27th minute in what was her first national team goal in 332 days.

One of the stalwarts for the Matildas then took centre stage as Alana Kennedy extended the lead in the 35th minute. Iran made a switch of goalkeepers after the half time interval in a bid to stem the tide with Raha Yazdani coming on for Maryam Yektaei.

However, Kennedy did find her second goal of the contest after rising highest to bury a header from Emily van Egmond’s corner in the 58th minute. To their credit, Iran suffocated the spaces and destroyed the tempo of the game on several occasions to prevent the home side from adding further gloss to the scoreline.

In the closing stages, Australia head coach Joe Montemurro will be concerned to see hometown hero Hayley Raso come off after suffering a concussion ahead of a rematch with Korea Republic in their final group game, having suffered elimination at their hands at the quarterfinal stage in 2022.

WHAT WE LEARNED

Korea Republic show their strength in depth: With matches coming thick and fast at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026, managing the squad will be a key aspect of this tournament. After the 3-0 opening day success against Iran, Korea Republic opted to test their squad depth against the Philippines.

Despite their most influential player Ji So-yun, not playing any part, another 3-0 victory followed, with two of the starters Park Soo-jeong and Jeon Yu-gyeong, managing to get on the scoresheet.

In fact, both players scored their maiden senior national team goals, with Park’s curling effort the pick of the bunch as the AC Milan midfielder — who has scored against Sassuolo in this season’s Serie A Femminile — now translating that form for the national team.

The Matildas are getting back to their best: After having to be content with just a solitary strike from Sam Kerr in their opener in Perth, the Matildas’ goalscoring mojo looks to have returned just at the right time.

Mary Fowler getting on the scoresheet after such a long time will be a big confidence boost for the midfielder, while Alana Kennedy’s goal contributions once again indicate that there are goals across the pitch ahead of their first real test against Korea Republic.

WHAT THEY SAID

Alana Kennedy – Australia: “We set the aim to display a collective performance tonight. It is also amazing to see the rising talents coming through for the Matildas and playing at the continental stage.”

On the upcoming rematch against Korea Republic: “The match against Korea Republic has been on the back of our minds. We are up for the challenge.”

Datuk Seri Windsor John – AFC General Secretary: “We are only a week into the competition and have already recorded multiple milestones, and this achievement (all-time attendance record) fills us with great hope. We are confident it has already inspired new generations to dream bigger and act fearlessly, and we look forward to many more wonderful moments that Australia 2026 will showcase.”