SYDNEY, March 8 (Xinhua) -- South Korea secured first place in Group A at the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup after drawing 3-3 with host Australia in Sydney on Sunday night.
Mun Eun-ju gave South Korea a 1-0 lead in the 13th minute but Australia led 2-1 at half-time following strikes from Alanna Kennedy in the 32nd minute and Sam Kerr in the sixth minute of stoppage time.
The first 11 minutes of the second-half proved decisive in the match, as the away side restored the lead with Kim Shin-ji's 53rd minute penalty and a daisy-cutter from Kang Chae-rim.
Kennedy's equalizer in the eighth minute of second-half stoppage time came too late for Australia, who needed to win to overcome South Korea's goal difference advantage.
As Group A winner, South Korea will not have to leave Sydney again for the rest of the tournament and will play one of the best-ranked third placed teams in Saturday's quarterfinal.
Australia, meanwhile, will travel over 3,000 km to Perth for a quarterfinal on Friday.
In Group A's other match on Sunday night, the Philippines beat Iran 2-0 for its first win at the tournament. The win gives the Philippines a chance to progress to the quarterfinals as one of the two best third-placed teams. ■
