The tournament is taking place on home soil for Australia, and Kerr and Chelsea team-mate Ellie Carpenter were named in the starting XI for its opener, played in Kerr's hometown of Perth.

Australia are among the favourites to win the competition and needed just 14 minutes to break the deadlock. A deep cross to the back post was headed back into the six-yard box by Caitlin Foord and Kerr, in trademark style, reacted fastest to nod the ball home.

Kerr had further opportunities to add to the tournament hosts' advantage, as did several of her team-mates. Yet Australia were unable to extend their advantage in a contest they dominated.

Both Carpenter, who helped Australia keep a clean sheet, and Kerr played the full match in front of 44,379 supporters, breaking the record for the highest-attended Asian Cup fixture.

Australia play their second group-stage game against Iran on Thursday before facing the Republic of Korea next Sunday.