First up, facing South Korea (Korea Republic).

Australia will be entering the tournament as the highest ranked nation, currently sitting at sixth.

Prior to their defeat by Portugal in the bronze medal match of the Algarve Cup, the Matildas held an eight-game undefeated streak.

Since then, Australia has played one game, a friendly against Thailand which settled with a comfortable 5-0 win for the Matildas.

South Korea have gained momentum and experience under the guidance of Coach Deok-yeo Yoon.

They have climbed from 26th to 14th, qualified for the 2015 Women’s World Cup and beat three-time AFC Asian Cup Champions, North Korea.

They have also made the semifinals four times throughout their AFC Women’s Asian Cup history.

LAST TIME THEY MET

Last time Australia and South Korea met was in the 2016 Rio Olympics Qualifier, where Australia took out the final round 2-0.

Prior to this, the Matildas faced off against South Korea in the semi finals of the 2014 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, coming away with the win 2-1.

Katrina Gorry, Elise Kellond-Knight, Kyah Simon and Emily Van Egmond found the back of the net against South Korea when they met in 2016 and 2014 and to the delight of Australian fans, also make up part of the 2018 squad.

Eun Sun Park scored the only goal against the Matildas but will not be making an appearance in this South Korean squad.

KEY PLAYER AUSTRALIA: Kyah Simon

Coming back from missing out on the Algarve Cup, forward Kyah Simon will no doubt be chomping at the bit to not only score another goal against South Korea but to get back out on the pitch and stretch her legs at an international level again.

Finding the back of the net twice and providing her teammates with five successful assists during the 2017/18 W-League season, not to mention scoring 14 goals while wearing the green and gold.

Simon will be as hungry as ever to play some fierce football and bring home some silverware.

KEY PLAYER SOUTH KOREA: Ji So-yun

Midfielder Ji So-yun boasts an impressive resume, being the all-time top goal scorer for South Korea and scoring four of their 21 goals in the preliminary qualifying tournament.

Ji also plays for Chelsea FA WSL with her undeniable strike rate which lead to her being named “Player’s Player of the Year.”

A formidable force for the competition to be aware of, Ji could be one weapon that helps bring South Korea their first AFC Women’s Asian Cup trophy.

WHERE IT WILL BE WON

Throughout 2017 the Matildas gained momentum as an undefeated goliath in women’s football.

It took a loss to 38th ranked Portugal at the Algarve Cup to remind Australian fans that every team has its weaknesses and when it comes to football, nothing is guaranteed, and ranking means little.

Both teams possess some very solid strikers, and both are just as capable of scoring goals so for this match, defence and the safe hands of both goalkeepers will be what wins the game.

The Matildas will need to contain top goal scorers So-yun, Lee Guem-Min, Cho So-hyun and Yoo Young who scored 14 of 21 of South Korea’s most recent goals if they want to add another trophy to the Aussie cabinet.

In turn, South Korea will need to work hard to keep the likes of top goal scorer Lisa De Vanna, Chloe Logarzo, Sam Kerr, and even newcomer Alex Chidiac far away from their net if they hope to take down the top ranked team in the competition and take home their first AFC Women’s Asian Cup.

MATCH DETAILS