Women’s Asian Cup live scores: Matildas open tournament against the Philippines at Optus Stadium
The Matildas are back in action in Perth, with the hosts of the Women’s Asian Cup set to open the tournament against the Philippines at Optus Stadium. Follow the action live!
Soccer: The Matildas are back in action in Perth, with the hosts of the Women’s Asian Cup set to open the tournament against the Philippines at Optus Stadium.
After a barnstorming run to a fourth-placed finish at the 2023 Women’s World Cup, one of the country’s most beloved sporting teams will be hoping to go two wins better and hoist the Asian Cup for the first time since 2010.
WA product and the side’s superstar captain Sam Kerr declared herself “85 per cent” fit yesterday and will be hoping to find the back of the net for the national side for the first time in more than two years.
Follow the action live!
Key events
4 hours ago - 06:56 PM
Matildas win!
5 hours ago - 06:27 PM
Fowler on
5 hours ago - 06:26 PM
Wheel and deal
5 hours ago - 06:06 PM
Second half starts
5 hours ago - 05:48 PM
Half-time
6 hours ago - 05:33 PM
Raso’s goal ruled out for offside!
6 hours ago - 05:16 PM
Kerr scores!
6 hours ago - 05:01 PM
We’re away!
7 hours ago - 04:36 PM
Opening ceremony starts!
7 hours ago - 04:01 PM
Kerr is in!
7 hours ago - 03:53 PM
Hello!
Anthems away
The national anthems of both teams have been sung and the players are now going through pre-game handshakes.
The crowd is not quite at capacity, but far more seats are now filled than empty.
That’s it
A short and sweet opening ceremony is now over, with Audrey Nuna not playing her smash hit Golden.
The stage is now being wheeled away ahead of the start of the game in 10 minutes.
Audrey Nuna appears
And now the main attraction Audrey Nuna has taken over!
Supported by dozens of dancers, the American singer and rapper is working her way through her catalogue of hits.
Zipporah opens show
Australian R&B star Zipporah is performing the official tournament’s anthem That’s How We Win.
Dream Fearless
‘Dream Fearless’ appears to be the tagline for the show, which has opened with a video showing off that message before incorporating a Welcome to Country.
Flags of all 12 countries competing in the tournament are on the field.
Opening ceremony starts!
Just minutes after the players left the Optus Stadium pitch, an elaborate stage has been set down for the opening ceremony.
Audrey Nuna has emerged, alongside back-up dancers dressed in white.
Opening ceremony close
As the teams wind down their warm-ups, preparations for the opening ceremony are now in full swing.
The ground looks to be approximately one-third full for a show which will include a performance from K-Pop Demon Hunters star Audrey Nuna.
Philippines looking to spoil the party
The Philippines are now out on the field to start their preparations and they too were greeted by a warm cheer.
They will be hoping for a better performance than when they last met the Matildas at Optus Stadium, which ended in an 8-0 defeat.
Philippines side: Olivia Alexandra McDaniel (goalkeeper), Jessika Cowart, Hali Long (captain), Angela Beard, Sofia Nicole Wunsch, Jaclyn Sawicki, Sara Eggesvik, Carleigh Frillies, Chandler Blue McDaniel, Katrina Guillou, Alexa Pino
K-Pop superstar set to perform
Of course, we will also see a performance from K-Pop Demon Hunters star Audrey Nuna before the start of the game.
The opening ceremony is slated to start at 4.30pm.
Warm-up underway
The Matildas are out on the field for their warm-up, which has been greeted to cheers by a crowd bathed in green and gold.
Seats are starting to fill up, with just under an hour to go until kick-off.
