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Kerr and Fowler start in a … 4-4-2?
As we know, Steph Catley is sidelined with concussion, meaning Joe Montemurro had to decide whether to start Courtney Nevin at left-back after her confidence knock in the South Korea game. It appears as if he has opted for Kaitlyn Torpey on the left, with Wini Heatley and Clare in central defence and Ellie Carpenter on the right.
From there, it appears as if the formation might look a little from what we’ve seen in this tournament thus far, with Sam Kerr and Mary Fowler looking like they may be a front two (remember Hayley Raso is still sidelined, also with concussion). That would mean Caitlin Foord drops a little deeper on the left to join a midfield four also featuring Katrina Gorry, Alanna Kennedy and Emily van Egmond. If so, we would have a 4-4-2, which might be what the Matildas need against this North Korean side.
This may, of course, all be completely incorrect. We will see.
After a doping ban in 2013, North Korea vanished from women’s football. Until now
Of all the excuses in all the world that could possibly be used as an explanation for doping, North Korea’s women’s football team had a new one.
The banned steroid detected in the systems of five senior players during the 2011 World Cup in Germany was, in fact, a natural substance derived from the glands of a musk deer.
And why were these players given such a substance? Well, all five had been struck by lightning and required treatment.
The North Korean federation’s version of events was too outlandish even for FIFA – and FIFA is responsible for many an outlandish version of events – and the team was banned from international football for four years. In the end, the musk-deer-ate-my-homework incident and its fallout resulted in a major tournament absence lasting more than a decade – effectively until the Asian Cup in Australia right now.
North Korea bows to their supporters following the Women’s Asian Cup soccer match between China and North Korea in Sydney.Credit: AP
Because of the suspension, North Korea missed the 2015 World Cup in Canada, failed to qualify for the 2018 Asian Cup and 2019 World Cup, before spending the 2022 Asian Cup and 2023 World Cup in voluntary COVID lockdown.
It seems crazy to think that none of this has negatively affected North Korea’s international standing. That they are still ranked ninth by FIFA – one spot below Asia’s top dog Japan and six above the 15th-ranked Matildas. But it is part of what makes this side one of the most fascinating in women’s football and perhaps the team to watch at this tournament.
Full read here.
Matildas prepare for another North Korea tantrum as Asian Cup goes on the line
It’s been 16 years since Sam Kerr last played North Korea, but she was not surprised to see the mysterious nation’s football skulduggery remains alive and well.
Kerr on Thursday struggled to remember much about the team her Matildas beat on penalties to win the 2010 Asian Cup in China – a game in which she scored as a 16-year-old. Intel on personnel and style is about as rare as the North Korea women’s team’s international football presence in the past 15 years.
The dark arts, however, are impossible to forget. And, after Monday’s collective tantrum during their 2-1 group stage loss to China, these quarter-final opponents are expected to test Australia’s mental composure just as much as their game.
Sam Kerr speaks with media on Thursday ahead of Australia’s quarter-final against North Korea in Perth.Credit: Getty Images
“You get a little bit of that in club football now,” Kerr said as the Matildas prepared for Friday night’s first knockout game of the 2026 Asian Cup.
“I think we just have to be prepared for everything and focus on ourselves, and stay focused in the moment. The other day, I think China did it really well, and I think probably just based on the fact that they focused on themselves.
“It can be frustrating and all of that, but I think that’s part of football now … it’s probably nice to see a little bit of it the other day, just based on the fact that we now know what we can expect.”
Full details in the full piece here.
We’re baaaaaaack
Back in Perth, where nobody wants to be. Not because Perth is anything less than lovely; because to be in Perth means the Matildas finished second in Group A instead of first and now face a tougher quarter-final. Against North Korea, of all teams. And if you saw any of their 2-1 group-stage loss to China on Monday night, you’ll know we’re in for a physical game featuring, potentially, some shithousery.
Australia will know this, and they will be ready for that. They’ll be less ready for many other aspects of the North Korean team given they were absent from international football for so long. What do they say? Sometimes you just have to play what’s in front of you? Do that successfully and the Matildas will not only qualify for the semi-finals (in Perth) but also qualify directly for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil. Lose and they’re off to the Gold Coast for sudden-death playoffs to book that World Cup ticket. The Gold Coast is lovely, too, but they do not want to go to the Gold Coast on this occasion.
Kick-off at 9pm AEDT, and don’t forget we are in the knockout stages now which could mean extra-time and maybe even penalties!
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Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: www.smh.com.au
