The opening goal came midway through the first half when Sarah Walsh fired home after Katie Gill nodded a Lauren Colthorpe freekick into her path.

The visitors were back on level terms eight minutes later when a Ye Gong Re cross found an unmarked Yun Mi Jo who met the ball with a diving header.

Gill gave Australia the lead just before half time from the penalty spot, having been forced to wait over five minutes after the Korean team left the field in protest to the decision to award the spot kick.

The Koreans levelled again early in the second half when Yong Ae Kim charged into the box before cooly finishing past the outstretched arm of Melissa Barbieri.

The match looked headed for a repeat of Wednesday night's 2-2 draw until Simon bobbed up to net the winner.

Gill, who was involved in all three of the Matildas' goals, received the ball 30 yards out and with a precise first touch played the ball to Collette McCallum who dinked it into the area for Simon to guide the ball past the onrushing Myong Hui Hong in Korea's goal.

"I thought we defended exceptionally well and to beat a team of DPR Korea's calibre I think shows great credit to our players ability and character," said Matildas coach Tom Sermanni.

"The players all did well and a result like that is another great step on our road to China."