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10.16pm
Coach Ri Song-Ho makes two changes, including the introduction of Choe Il-Son, the 19-year-old who in 2024 won both the golden boot and the golden ball in North Korea’s triumphant Under-20 Women’s World Cup - one of the MANY youth tournaments this isolated nation wins.
Choe replaces Han Jin-Hong and Ri Hak replaces Kim Song-Gyong.
Australia 2-0 North Korea after 58 minutes
10.12pm
She was under pressure and gave it a crack anyway. But the Matildas have their tails up now and are giving Korea a taste of their own medicine. Carpenter especially has a lot to say and is throwing herself about.
A North Korea foray calls Arnold into action again but Australia’s midfield are getting a bit more ball. Said ball ping-pongs about in the middle for a bit and then into space in front of Korea’s goal. Gorry runs forward, in a one-on-one race with Yun but the goalkeeper gets there first.
Australia 2-0 North Korea after 54 minutes
10.06pm
Where did that come from? Where do half of Sam Kerr’s goals come from? She pounces on an errant pass, takes one touch to free herself of a defender, races onto it and finishes with the second off her left boot.
Australia 2-0 North Korea after 47 minutes
9.51pm
The Matildas hung in there while under the pump. North Korea are not tiring, though. They’ve been up and about since Kennedy scored her opener, which is the past 30 minutes or so. The break will be welcome.
9.49pm
It’s the far post and it’s out of reach of Arnold, which makes it fortuitous that Hong Song-Ok’s effort bounces off the woodwork and out. Arnold has been busy, and she’s been solid. The brick wall is back. But she doesn’t look happy about all the action at her end.
Australia 1-0 North Korea after 45+2 minutes
9.45pm
Imagine he’ll have something to say at halftime given the way this has played out so far. The coach is gesticulating. I won’t go as far as to say wildly, but certainly intensely. He knows what he wants and he’s not getting it. North Korea are not allowing Australia to get it for him.
Australia 1-0 North Korea after 44 minutes
9.40pm
They can’t seem to get a controlled touch in, just forced into clearance after clearance. Many fly out of play, others drop to a red-shirted player. Van Egmond makes a move suddenly after a Korea mishit and she’s away, but stopped before she can get a shot in. Fowler, who has been quiet so far, sends a through ball down that I think was meant for a teammate but sails with little threat into Yu’s gloves.
Australia 1-0 North Korea after 38 minutes
Mary Fowler battles with Song Chun-Sim.Credit: Getty Images
9.32pm
They are coming for Australia, and they’re exploiting enough gaps to give themselves time to pick their passes. The Matildas have hardly been in North Korea’s half since Kennedy scored inside the first 10 minutes. Another goal before halftime would be handy but at the moment they’re just trying to keep their opponents out.
Torpey has gone down in a challenge and stays down for a few moments. She is getting knocked around big time but throwing her body in front of everything. Chae is keeping her busy, too, and in the following passage of play attempts a cross that connects with Torpey’s face. She gives her head a little shake and continues as if nothing has happened.
Australia 1-0 North Korea after 32 minutes
Kaitlyn Torpey in action against Chae Un-Yong.Credit: AP
9.28pm
Kim had her eye in with that header. The cross was smart from Chae Un-Yong too. And Kim leapt to get the right angle on the ball, forcing Arnold into a diving save.
Australia 1-0 North Korea after 26 minutes
9.24pm
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