PERTH, March 13 (Xinhua) -- Hosts Australia became the first team to advance to the semifinals of the AFC Women's Asian Cup after a 2-1 win over the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Friday evening.

In the first match of the knockout stage, DPRK, ranked ninth in the FIFA world ranking, registered the first attempt of the game in the fifth minute as Kim Kyong Yong's close-range header from the center of the box missed to the right.

Four minutes later, Alanna Kennedy put the 15th-ranked Australia 1-0 ahead with a left-footed shot from outside the box to the bottom right corner.

Despite enjoying more possession and generating several dangerous opportunities, DPRK failed to find an equalizer as Australia kept the lead until halftime.

In the second half, Australia quickly extended its lead to 2-0 in the 47th minute as Sam Kerr fired a left-footed shot from the left side of the box into the top left corner. But DPRK kept up the pressure and pulled one back to reduce the deficit to 2-1, following Chae Un Yong's left-footed shot from very close range to the bottom left corner in the 65th minute.

DPRK was unable to find another goal as Australia secured a 2-1 victory. ■