Credit: Imago

Richie Mills

Fri 13 March 2026 19:10, UK

West Ham Women star Katrina Gorry inched closer to Asian Cup Glory after Australia’s narrow win over North Korea.

The 33-year-old started in tournament hosts Australia’s opening group stage win over Philippines and in their 3-3 draw over South Korea on 8 March.

After missing the 4-0 win over Iran on 5 March, there was no guarantee that the West Ham midfielder would start against North Korea on Friday.

But the former Brisbane Roar player needn’t have worried as she was in Joe Montemurro’s starting XI as Australia advanced to the semi-finals after a 2-1 win.

Goals from Alanna Kennedy and Sam Kerr put the Matildas in the driving seat before Chae Un-yong set up a nervy finish. But Australia held on, with West Ham’s Gorry now looking forward to a last-four clash.

West Ham star Katrina Gorry battles hard in Asian Cup win

Gorry is an Australian legend after earning more than 120 caps for her country since making her debut in 2012.

The former Melbourne Victory ace has enjoyed a stellar career but other than lifting the 2017 Tournament of Nations, which included the United States, Japan, and Brazil in a competition that lasted two years, Gorry hasn’t won a major trophy for Australia.

But Gorry is now just two wins away from winning the Asian Cup for the first time after this tight win over North Korea.

On the face of it, Gorry had a mixed game, as she lost more duels than she won (5/11), and her passing accuracy in North Korea’s half was down at 41.7 per cent.

But the veteran was trusted for 90 minutes of the game and helped shore up Australia’s midfield at Perth Rectangular Stadium.

Next up, Gorry can look forward to a semi-final against either China or Chinese Taipei at Perth Stadium on Tuesday.

The Matildas may need to lift their game if they want to reach the final, with the Aussies’ sold Asian Cup triumph occurring in 2010.

West Ham have to make do without Gorry for WSL fight

Following a month’s break, the Women’s Super League returns on Sunday, while West Ham will have to wait until Wednesday before crossing the white line.

West Ham sit 10th in the WSL, just two points above bottom of the table Leicester City, as the threat of relegation looms large.

The Hammers have won two of their last four league games to lift them above lowly Leicester but they are far from safe with six matches to go.

To make matters worse, West Ham, who are also without Japan star Riko Ueki, have a brutal run of fixtures to contend with.

West Ham may fancy their chances of picking up points across these next three games but the ones they need to target are away to Liverpool on 26 April and at Aston Villa a week later.

Liverpool sit 11th and Villa are ninth, presenting a big opportunity for the east London outfit. Gorry and Ueki are set to return for the home game against London City Lionesses as they try to stave off relegation.