PERTH, Australia — PERTH, Australia (AP) — Sam Kerr dispensed with the backflip that was a trademark celebration of her early goals, pointing an index finger to her head this time after producing a moment of brilliance to secure Australia’s 2-1 win over China and a spot in the Women’s Asian Cup.The Chelsea forward enhanced her reputation as Australian soccer’s all-time leading scorer when she arrowed in a left-foot shot from an acute angle in the 58th minute to seal the semifinal victory over defending champion China on Tuesday night.As much as she’s loved playing the tournament opener and two knockout games in her childhood hometown of Perth, Kerr noted Australia had taken the harder route to the final by finishing second in its group — on goal difference — to South Korea.That gave the 2022 finalist South Koreans the bigger stadiums for the quarterfinals and semifinals in Sydney, where they’ll take on Japan on Wednesday for the other spot in the final.Kerr was a junior member of the squad the last time Australia won the Women’s Asian Cup in 2010, and scored in the final against North Korea.Now she has 73 goals for the Matildas and, unlike her limited appearances in the run to the 2023 World Cup semifinals at home because of injury, Kerr has played a leading role in the continental championship.“I know we came in as one of the favorites (but) we have taken the long road here and it just feels so good to be here now in the final,” she said. “I didn’t care who scored tonight or how we won, I just wanted to make sure we won.”Kerr explained her new goal celebration was a reminder “just to be like keeping my head.”“It’s just about making sure, you know … I know I can be one of the best players in the world and I think I’m showing that this tournament.”Caitlin Foord gave Australia the lead in the 17th when she finished an attack that started with Mary Fowler combining with Ellie Carpenter down the right side. Carpenter then crossed into the area, where Fowler cut the ball back for Foord to fire in a right-foot shot.China equalized in the 26th through Zhang Linyan from the penalty spot. Zhang won the penalty after she swooped on a defensive blunder and was felled in the area by goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold.Popular ReadsIt was 1-1 at halftime.Tension was building toward the hour mark when Kerr seized momen …
