The Matildas have escaped by the skin of their teeth, surviving a North Korean onslaught to pinch a 2-1 win and secure their spot in the Women’s Asian Cup semifinal.

Alanna Kennedy continued her unlikely goal-scoring run with her fifth goal of the tournament, as the defender-turned-midfielder-turned-golden boot candidate whipped the 16,466-strong HBF Park crowd into a frenzy with a superb ninth-minute strike.

And then captain Sam Kerr continued her golden run in her hometown, scoring for a fifth consecutive Matildas game in Perth with a 47th minute howitzer.

However, it was anything but smooth sailing for the Matildas as North Korea more than lived up to their billing as FIFA’s world No.9-ranked team.

They were as physical as expected, imposing their will on the game and making their mark — literally at times — on their opponents, and Chae Un Yong’s second-half goal gave them a lifeline.

The hosts had just two attempts on target (both goals) to North Korea’s 10; the visitors took 21 shots in total and also had nine corners and almost 62 per cent of the ball.

Winonah Heatley and Clare Hunt repelled numerous attacking raids, while left-back Kaitlyn Torpey was near-faultless in place of Steph Catley and goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold made some crucial stops.

But Australia will care not for the nature of their win, which also qualifies them for next year’s Women’s World Cup: they are in the last four and will play the winner of the Saturday’s China and Chinese Taipei quarterfinal at Optus Stadium next Tuesday.

“Let’s be frank and honest here, winning football games like that, it usually sort of happens in tournaments,” Matildas coach Joe Montemurro said post-game.

“For me, they’re the best team in the tournament, they really are.

“Where we won the game were the little bits in between, as we were losing the ball or winning the ball, to keep our shape and keep our organisation.

“We didn’t create much, we had to resist a lot but again, it’s the way you beat these teams. You have to manage the game a certain way.”

For Kerr, the final whistle brought about pure euphoria and relief.

“The eight minutes’ extra time, they obviously were putting us under the pump so of course, we’re thinking about all these things in the back of our mind,” she said.

“They had a little bit of the ball where I thought we managed it well, but we were under the pump.

“At the end of the day, we’re here to win every game, so in that moment, I think we’re just thinking ‘thank god that’s over.’”

Montemurro made two changes to the team which drew 3-3 with South Korea as Emily van Egmond came into the midfield and Torpey deputising for Catley.

While Courtney Nevin had replaced Catley in the South Korea game, Torpey’s speed was preferred and for good reason too, as North Korea’s sharpness and pace in behind was notable.

Pre-game, it was assumed North Korea would be physical and Australia would keep the ball more — but there was a role-reversal of sorts as the hosts struggled to retain possession, while the former recycled well while keeping their aggressive edge.

The first big chance of the came just five minutes in when Ri Hye Gyong’s hanging cross caused Arnold to hesitate but Kim Kyong Yong headed over.

Australia’s goal came out of nothing, as Sam Ker harried An Kuk Hyung into losing possession in her own half and the skipper’s ensuing cut-back rolled to Kennedy, who deftly avoided a defender before dispatching the ball into the back of the net.

Slowly, North Korea regained their sting as their clever off-ball movement and incisive runs caused headaches.

Against their will, Australia were forced to put the gear stick in reverse and park the bus. When they did get the ball, they struggled to play out from the back as their opponents gave them no space in midfield.

And when they did progress beyond the first wave, they were guilty of forcing the ball and surrendering the game’s most prized commodity: possession.

North Korea delivered a barrage of crosses, the best of which saw Kyong Yong force a low save from Arnold; seven minutes later, the goalkeeper was again forced into action by Un Yong.

They could have gone into half-time level when Hong Song Ok almost silenced the crowd with a fine strike which beat Arnold, only for the outside of the post to come to Australia’s rescue.

Two minutes after the restart, that close shave would become a deep cut; Gorry’s pressure forced a poor pass and Kerr pounced, firing home a bullet of left-footed strike which left Yu Son Gum flailing at thin air.

If the goal sucked the air out of the North Koreans, it was restored in the 65th minute when Kyong Yong slid the ball across the face of the goal and Un Yong stabbed home from close range.

Not for the first time in the match, Australia were forced to defend deep as Hye Gyong clipped a shot warning shot wide, Ri Hak twice blasted over and Choe Il Son had a volley blocked.

Up the other end, substitute Amy Sayer narrowly missed connecting with Caitlin Foord’s cross, before Kuk Hyun’s audacious attempt from downtown drew a save from Arnold.

Eight minutes of added time drew moans of agony from the crowd, but the Matildas hung on and the full-time whistle elicited a primal scream of joy from everyone in green and gold.