SYDNEY, March 1 (Xinhua) -- Captain Sam Kerr scored the only goal as Australia's Matildas opened the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup with a 1-0 victory over the Philippines on Sunday.

Kerr broke the deadlock in the 14th minute, heading home after a series of Australian crosses into the penalty area produced the first clear chance of the match.

It marked Kerr's first international goal since 2023 and was greeted by 44,379 fans at her hometown Perth Stadium in Western Australia.

Although the Matildas dominated possession, the Philippines largely kept them from creating further clear-cut opportunities.

The win extended Australia's unbeaten run in Women's Asian Cup group-stage matches to 10 and left the hosts needing just one more victory, against Iran or South Korea, to secure a quarterfinal berth.

Australia will face Iran on the Gold Coast on Thursday night, while the Philippines will take on South Korea earlier the same day. ■