Philippines' Jael Guy, right, kicks the ball past Iran's Atefeh Imani during the Women's Asian Cup soccer match between Iran and the Philippines in Robina, Australia. ( AP)

SYDNEY, March 8, (AP): South Korea edged host Australia for top spot in Group A at the Women’s Asian Cup on goal difference after a 3-3 draw Sunday in front of a tournament-record crowd at Sydney’s Stadium Australia.

The Philippines kept alive their chance of advancing to the quarterfinals with a 2-0 win over Iran in another Group A match that kicked off simultaneously in wet conditions at Gold Coast Stadium.

The Iranian women’s team exited the tournament on three losses and faces a return to a country embroiled in war. Organizers have not announced details for Iran's departure from Australia.

The top two teams in each of the three groups advance to the quarterfinals, along with the two best third-place teams, meaning the Philippines will have to sweat the other results after placing third in Group A.

South Korea will play the third-place team from Group B or Group C in the quarterfinals, while Australia will face either defending champion China or three-time champion North Korea.

Australia twice rallied from a goal down in front of a crowd of 60,279, with Chelsea forward Sam Kerr playing a key role and with Alanna Kennedy scoring twice, including the late equalizer in stoppage time. Both teams finished unbeaten in the group, but 2022 finalist South Korea finished with a goal difference one better than Australia's.

The crowd surpassed the attendance of 44,379 at Australia's opening game against the  Philippines in Perth on March 1, which was a Women's Asian Cup record.

Kerr and Caitlin Foord both missed scoring chances for Australia before South Korea opened with a counter-attacking goal in the 13th minute after Jeon Yu-gyeong outpaced the defense and set up Mun Eun-ju for the score.

Kenney made it 1-1 in the 32nd after lead-in work from Foord and Mary Fowler, and Kerr gave Australia a 2-1 lead going into halftime with Kerr scoring from close range just before the break.

Kim Shin-ji and Kang Chae-rim came on as substitutes in the second half and had a quick impact, giving South Korea a 3-2 lead. Kim Shin-ji's penalty kick made it 2-2 in the 53rd, and she delivered the cross for Kang's goal four minutes later.

Kennedy's goal eight minutes into stoppage time ensured Australia finished unbeaten, albeit not entirely happy with the result.

"We all know we needed to win tonight, so it felt like a loss to be fair,” Kerr said.

South Korea coach Shin Sang-Woo felt like his team should have won.

"I’d like to say thank you to all of my players because they did not give up and gave 100% to the end. I slightly feel sorry that we couldn’t end this game with three points, but I’m still delighted with the first goal to be the winner of this group.”

The Philippines scored a goal in each half in a tough encounter against the Iranian women's team to clinch third place and maintain a chance of progressing.

Sara Didar had an early chance for Iran, but goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel comfortably saved her strike in the sixth minute.

At the other end, 38-year-old Iranian goalkeeper Raha Yazdani kept it level with three saves in four minutes, but the Philippines opened the scoring in the 29th when Sara Eggesvik had a goal awarded after a VAR review.