Sam Kerr marked her return with the decisive goal as Australia defeated the Philippines 1-0 in their AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026 Group A opener at the Perth Stadium on Sunday.
While Australia will be happy to have kicked off their bid for a second title with a win, the margin of victory could have been greater as they totally dominated the tie but could only breach the stout Philippines defence once.
Kerr returned to the starting line-up for the first time after an 18-month lay-off, marking her fifth AFC Women’s Asian Cup Finals appearance for the green and gold while Chandler Mcdaniel led the Philippine side.
Australia immediately forced the Philippines into defensive mode with Winonah Heatley forcing McDaniel to block her low attempt in the 13th minute.
Australia went ahead a minute later, with Clare Wheeler initiating the move on the right by delivering a deep cross from the right to Caitlin Foord, who nodded the ball across to an unmarked Kerr to power home from close range for her 13th AFC Women’s Asian Cup goal.
Australia should have doubled their lead in the 19th minute when Hayley Raso whipped in a cross to Emily van Egmond, who couldn’t get her header on target as the ball sailed over the bar.
Raso then thought she had extended Australia’s lead 10 minutes, bursting into the box to chest Katrina Gorry’s intelligent pass and finishing past Philippines keeper Olivia Mcdaniel, only for the effort to be ruled offside following a VAR review.
McDaniel then had to stay sharp to keep Philippines in the game, smothering Steph Catley’s curling set-piece five minutes from the break as Australia went into the break having dominated with 88 percent possession but only one goal ahead.
It was one-way traffic again in the second half with Kerr missing from a headed attempt, while Foord saw her effort from inside the box easily foiled by McDaniel, who then saved Wheeler’s shot from just above the area.
The Philippines were proving to be a tough nut to crack, leading to the introduction of Mary Fowler in the 67th minute for Van Egmond as head coach Joe Montemurro tried to add potency to the Matildas.
Australia continued to press, with Catley drilling her shot just wide in the 82nd minute before Amy Sayer wasted another chance five minutes later from close range as the hosts had to settle for a narrow win.
Next up for Australia are Islamic Republic of Iran in Gold Coast on Thursday, with the Philippines to meet Korea Republic on the same day.
