North Korea’s ‘Dark Arts’ Loom as Matildas Face Fiery Quarterfinal Test
Perth, Australia – Sixteen years after first facing North Korea, Australian captain Sam Kerr anticipates a familiar challenge when the Matildas meet their quarterfinal opponents in the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup on Friday night. Beyond the on-field contest, Kerr expects a test of Australia’s mental fortitude, recalling past encounters marked by what she termed the team’s “dark arts.”
The anticipation follows North Korea’s contentious group stage match against China, where a VAR-assisted goal sparked a protest so vehement that the North Korean coach received a yellow card and the team temporarily refused to return to the pitch. The match ultimately ended prematurely at halftime amid boos from the crowd.
“You get a little bit of that in club football now,” Kerr said Thursday, as the Matildas prepared for the knockout stage. “I think we just have to be prepared for everything and focus on ourselves, and stay focused in the moment.”
The 2010 Asian Cup final, won by Australia on penalties, remains a somewhat hazy memory for Kerr, who scored as a 16-year-old in that match. Information regarding the North Korean team’s current personnel and style of play remains scarce, a characteristic that has defined their international presence for the past 15 years.
Despite a strong showing in the group stage – scoring eight goals and conceding none in wins against Uzbekistan and Bangladesh – North Korea’s behavior against China has highlighted a pattern of gamesmanship. Kerr believes Australia can learn from China’s approach to handling such tactics.
“It can be frustrating and all of that, but I think that’s part of football now… it’s probably nice to see a little bit of it the other day, just based on the fact that we now know what we can expect,” Kerr added.
The match comes at a time when Asian football is experiencing a surge in competitiveness, with nations like China, North Korea, South Korea, and Japan consistently ranking among the top 10 globally. The upcoming contest is expected to be a physical and mentally demanding encounter, testing the Matildas’ resilience as they pursue a championship title.
