Star Matildas midfielder Clare Wheeler is confident the team won't buckle under pressure when they confront Asian Cup dark horses North Korea in Friday night's quarter-final showdown in Perth.
Australia's 3-3 draw with South Korea on Sunday meant the Matildas missed out on top spot in Group A, forcing the hosts on a long flight west instead of being able to stay in the comforts of Sydney for the rest of the tournament.
Hayley Raso, who missed the draw to South Korea due to concussion, is a chance to return against North Korea.
But vice-captain Steph Catley appears almost certain to miss after suffering concussion against South Korea and not joining her teammates on Monday's flight to Perth.
The stakes are high for Friday night.
Not only would a win secure a spot in the semi-final, it would also punch Australia's ticket to the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil.
The pressure is intense, but Everton star Wheeler said the players were drawing on their positive experiences from the 2023 home World Cup, when Australia soared all the way to the semi-finals.
"A lot of this group was at the World Cup, and we've felt that pressure before," Wheeler said in Perth on Tuesday.
"So I think it's just using that pressure as fuel and not letting it control us."
World No.9 North Korea finished second in Group B after beating Uzbekistan 3-0 and Bangladesh 5-0 before falling to defending champions China 2-1.
But little is known about their football team given the closed-off nature of the country and their 16-year absence from the Asian Cup.
"They're a bit of a dark horse. Not many of us have played against them in recent years," Wheeler said.
"A lot of us are reviewing the footage. We watched the game the other night. They're a physical team.
"We're not really sure what to expect, but we'll try our best."
Despite the huge demand for tickets, Friday's match will stay at the 20,000-capacity HBF Park instead of the 60,000-seat Optus Stadium.
If the Matildas beat North Korea, they will progress to next Tuesday's semi-final at Optus Stadium, before returning to Sydney for the final if they make it that far.
Although criss-crossing the country isn't ideal, it's at least landed Matildas captain Sam Kerr back in her home state for one - or potentially two - more matches.
Kerr, who spent 20 months on the sidelines recovering from an ACL tear, scored two goals during the group stage and is primed for a big game against North Korea.
"Scoring goals is what Sam does, so it's good to see her on the score sheet," Wheeler said.
"She's a leader in this team, and if she's firing on all cylinders, it's the best for everyone."
Wheeler threw her support behind Courtney Nevin, who gave away a second-half penalty via an unlucky handball against South Korea, and also couldn't block their third goal.
"Football is a really unforgiving sport," Wheeler said.
"We win as a team, we lose as a team, we draw as a team. It doesn't matter. We're all just going to support her.
"Nev's a professional. There'll be moments - even myself - in games you wish you could take back or change, but I think the biggest thing is focusing on the next game and trying your best for the next opportunity."
