Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Osaka: Australia qualified for the 2016 Olympic Games after goals from Michelle Heyman and Katrina Gorry sealed a 2-1 win over DPR Korea in the AFC Women’s Olympic Football Tournament Rio 2016 qualifiers on Monday.
Heyman’s 18th minute strike sent Australia into the break with a 1-0 lead and after Kim Su-gyong responded in the 78th minute, 2014 AFC Player of the Year Gorry netted seven minutes from time to send the Matildas to their first Olympic Games since Athens in 2004.
The result also ended DPR Korea’s qualification hopes with China, who defeated Korea Republic 1-0 earlier in the day, joining the Matildas as Asia’s two representatives in Brazil this August.
DPR Korea started the brighter of the pair, putting pressure on Australia with Kim Yun-mi forcing Lydia Williams into a sharp save in the 10th minute but it was the Matildas who struck first eight minutes later.
After a lengthy injury delay following a clash between Clare Polkinghorne and Kim Un-ha, Australia broke down the right through Caitlin Foord who squared the ball back across the penalty box and with the North Korean defence wrong-footed, Heyman strode forward and slotted past Hong Myong-hui to put her side 1-0 up in the 18th minute.
DPR Korea had a golden chance to level things up in the 37th minute when Kim Yun-mi’s cross from the left found an unmarked Kim Un-ju at the back post but she could only direct her shot wide of the target.
As the match wore on towards half time DPR Korea were causing the Matildas more and more trouble with Kim Yun-mi’s header smartly saved by Williams and Kim Su-gyong sending another effort wide but Australia went to the break with their narrow lead intact.
DPR Korea started the second half as they had ended the first; full of running and with an aggressive edge to their defending and really should have scored in the 55th minute when Ri Hui-jong’s cross from the right was headed back across goal where Kim Yun-mi lashed a first time shot that was well kept out by Williams at her near post.
Australia brought on the tournament’s leading scorer, Kyah Simon, midway through the half and she was immediately involved in the action, teeing up Gorry whose shot was well saved by Hong before Foord blazed over the bar with a quarter of an hour remaining.
Three minutes later and DPR Korea struck; after Ra Un-sim’s scuffed effort fell to the left of the penalty box Kim Su-gyong was left all alone and she sent a dipping effort into the far post to hand her side a lifeline.
However, with seven minutes of time remaining, Australia got the goal that confirmed their qualification.
Simon crossed from the right, Foord expertly controlled the ball near the penalty spot to lay it back to Gorry who stroked home her shot to spark wild celebrations amongst the Australian players and staff.
Despite some desperate late flurries from DPR Korea that was the way it stayed as Australia and China wrapped up qualification with a match to spare.
Photo: Lagardère Sports