PERTH, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Host Australia beat defending champion China 2-1 in the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup semifinal here on Tuesday night to reach the final for the fifth time in the last seven editions of the tournament.

Australia took the lead in the 17th minute through Caitlin Foord, whose first-time shot from a Mary Fowler cutback found the left corner of the net.

Zhang Linyan drew China level shortly afterward when she pounced on a defensive mix-up and won a penalty after being tackled down by Australian goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold in the box. Zhang scored from the spot in the 26th minute.

Australia captain and all-time leading scorer Sam Kerr netted the winner on the counterattack in the 58th minute when Foord played her through on the left and Kerr took the ball around Chinese goalkeeper Peng Shimeng, rolling her shot in from a tight angle.

Without star attacker Wang Shuang through suspension, China registered 14 shots to Australia's eight, pushed hard in the final 30 minutes, but could not create a clear chance for a second equalizer.

Speaking to reporters after the match, China coach Ante Milicic praised his team's brave performance against Australia.

"All I asked was for them to give 100%, which they did. They carried out the game plan excellently," he said.

Milicic, who was appointed China's head coach in 2024, said introducing new players to the team was part of his job and that he was proud of the squad's approach throughout the tournament.

"I think the way that they've been open to a new way of playing, a new way of learning, a new way of training. That's what has impressed me the most, their mentality is excellent, they're such a joy to work with," he added.

At the post-match news conference, Foord said China had made the game "difficult" for Australia.

"The football in China is exciting and they'll be very good at the World Cup," she said.

Australia, who was crowned in the Women's Asian Cup in 2010, will face the winner of Wednesday's second semifinal between South Korea and Japan in Saturday's final at Sydney's Stadium Australia.■