In the new edition of "China PR's professional league entry regulations", all clubs from the top flight - the Chinese Super League - are required to have their women's teams established by 2020.

These newly-founded teams will compete in the Women's Super League and other divisions. Considering the boom in the CSL over recent years, the new policy is expected to provide a massive boost for the women's game in the world's most populous country.

Kerr scored twice in Perth Glory's 5-1 away win over Western Sydney Wanderers, with her first goal breaking the existing record of 63 career goals in the league in the 70th minute.

The 2017 AFC Women's Player of the Year added her second of the match 11 minutes later, to take her tally to 65, taking her two clear of Heyman, who turns out for Adelaide United.

The victory takes Perth to the top of the W-League table, although Melbourne Victory, Sydney FC and Brisbane Roar remain in touching distance as the season reaches its business end.

The format may have changed from round-robin to knockout, but the identity of the competition winners has now remained the same since 2016, with the hosts winning the title for the fourth consecutive year.

Gu Yasha's sweetly struck left-footed half-volley on the quarter-hour mark proved decisive for Jia Xiuquan's team, who have now registered four wins in a row against their East Asian rivals, and strung together six consecutive victories against all opposition.

Football Federation Australia Chief Executive Officer David Gallop AM revealed the rationale behind the decision, which comes less than five months before Australia begin their France 2019 campaign against Italy.

“The ultimate responsibility for driving change and leading a high-performance environment that puts the team in the best possible position to achieve what they are capable of, rests with the Head Coach," he said.

"We no longer have confidence that Alen is the right person to lead the team and staff."