Kerr leads Australia to Asian Cup final

Australia captain Sam Kerr secured a 2-1 win over China with a stunning second-half goal on Tuesday to send the hosts to their fourth Asian Women's Asian Cup final.

The Australian women's national football team (Matildas) will compete for their second continental tournament trophy and first since 2010 against Japan or South Korea, who will play in the second semi-final in Sydney on Wednesday.

Having scored in front of the local fans for the third time this tournament, Kerr scored in the 58th minute, firing home from a tight angle to send the Perth Stadium crowd into raptures.

Defending champions China equalized in the 26th minute through a penalty converted by Zhang Lingyan, following an early goal from Caitlin Ford, who also contributed to Kerr's winning goal.

Although Kerr was a strong performer as usual, Australia coach Joe Montemurro must have been disappointed early in the match when Mary Fowler fired over the top of the goal in the fifth minute after receiving a superb pass from Caitlin Torpey.

However, Fowler quickly recovered, playing a combination with Ellie Carpenter and creating a scoring chance for Ford in the 17th minute, while she carried out an elegant combination down the right flank.

Receiving the ball from Carpenter just outside the area, Fowler passed back and found Ford, who sent the ball low into the net, belated reward for the Arsenal striker after an underwhelming tournament.

The Australian jubilation lasted just eight minutes before defender Claire Hunt failed to deal with a high-bouncing ball over the goal line, allowing Zhang to intercept it.

Goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold ran forward and collided with the Chinese midfielder, who fell in the penalty area and calmly converted the penalty.

However, after the break, reuters states, the last word remained with Kerr, who completed another Matilda counter-attack with a magnificent strike.

Passing Ford to the left flank, Kerr continued forward, then passed the ball back, beat China goalkeeper Peng Shimeng and sent the ball into the net from a tight angle near the baseline with a low shot with her left foot.

The goal sent the home side into Sydney for Saturday's final, and Emily van Egmond had another reason to celebrate as she became Australia's cap record holder with her 170th cap, surpassing Clare Polkinghorne.

Xrust Kerr leads Australia to Asian Cup final