LEIPZIG, March 14 (Bernama-dpa) -- Hosts Australia defeated North Korea 2-1 on Friday to reach the semi-finals of the women's Asian Cup and become the first qualifier for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil, reported German Press Agency (dpa).
Star player Samantha Kerr helped set up the opening goal from Alanna Kennedy and netted the second herself early in the second half.
North Korea were the better team but managed to only one goal from Chae Un Jong in Perth.
Australia were 2023 World Cup co-hosts and finished third.
All four Asian Cup semi-finalists are assured of playing at next year's World Cup.
The other quarter-finals are title holders China versus Taiwan, South Korea vs Uzbekistan and Japan vs the Philippines.
-- BERNAMA-dpa
