China are a formidable opponent supercharged by Australian insiders, making Tuesday night’s semi-final at Perth Stadium the Matildas’ toughest test of the Women’s Asian Cup so far.
The Chinese are defending champions and have won the trophy nine times. On their bench is former Matildas’ head coach Ante Milicic, who has promised he is now a better operator than when he led the Australians – including many of the current team – at the 2019 World Cup.