Defending champions China safe a semifinal in opposition to hosts Australia and a spot on the 2027 World Cup.
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Revealed On 14 Mar 2026
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Defending champions China scored twice in additional time to guide a blockbuster semifinal with hosts Australia on the Girls’s Asian Cup after a tense 2-0 win over Taiwan.
Shao Ziqin brilliantly fired into the best nook within the 94th minute earlier than incomes a penalty within the second half of added time within the sport on Saturday.
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Substitute Wurigumula missed the spot kick however China sealed victory at Perth Rectangular Stadium by way of an personal purpose from Chen Ying-hui.
It stored China’s bid for a record-extending tenth title on monitor, with victory additionally guaranteeing their direct qualification for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.
They may face the Matildas on Tuesday on the 60,000-seat Perth Stadium after the hosts edged North Korea 2-1 within the final eight.
China might be with out star midfielder Wang Shuang, who was handed a yellow card for the second straight match.
“After all, she’s a loss. There’s going to be a chance for another person,” China head coach Ante Milicic stated.
“These ladies are so resilient. I’ll again my ladies in opposition to any opponent.”
Taiwan now transfer to a playoff in opposition to North Korea with an automated World Cup spot on the road.
“They put every little thing they’ve on the pitch and confirmed how sturdy their coronary heart is,” Taiwan head coach Prasobchoke Chokemor stated.
“We’re nonetheless on the way in which to chase our dream of the World Cup.”
The quarterfinal had political undertones given China’s declare to the self-ruled island of Taiwan, who compete underneath the identify “Chinese language Taipei” in worldwide sports activities occasions.
It’s a part of a political compromise with China that permits them to participate in main competitions with out presenting itself as a sovereign nation.
The group of 5,238 was comparatively cut up between the fan bases though the Taiwanese contingent had been extra vocal.
There have been some flag-waving Chinese language followers sporting shirts with the phrases “China is my religion” written on the again.
Like China, Taiwan has loved sturdy assist on the event however controversy erupted within the stands throughout their final sport in Sydney.
Former Taiwan coach Chen Kuei-jen was ejected from the stadium for main a “Taiwan Jiayu”, or “Go Taiwan”, chant.
There didn’t look like a repeat on Saturday.
Taiwan are identified for his or her dogged defence however unfurled attacking aptitude within the early exchanges.
China gained management within the midfield and dominated possession and appeared to capitalise simply earlier than the interval when Wang headed house, triggering jubilation from the Chinese language followers.
However their celebrations had been minimize quick when the purpose was overturned on account of a handball by Wang earlier within the chain.
China put the foot on the gasoline after the break, however Taiwan threatened on the counterattack.
Within the final phases of regular time, substitute Yao Wei’s bullet hit the crossbar because the match went into additional time the place Shao stepped up.
South Korea face Uzbekistan, Japan play Philippines in different quarterfinals
On Friday, Sam Kerr scored one purpose and created one other as Australia superior and secured a World Cup spot with a 2-1 win over North Korea.
South Korea face Uzbekistan afterward Saturday in one other quarterfinal at Sydney.
On Sunday, Japan head into the ultimate quarterfinal in opposition to the Philippines, additionally in Sydney, with three wins from three video games and a tournament-leading 17 objectives with out conceding.
The semifinals are set for Tuesday and Wednesday with the ultimate to be performed subsequent Saturday in Sydney.
All 4 semifinalists on the Girls’s Asian Cup qualify mechanically for subsequent 12 months’s World Cup in Brazil.
The North Koreans can have one other shot at qualifying for the World Cup in a playoff subsequent Thursday in Australia – the fifth and sixth-place groups on this continental event may even safe spots in Brazil.
The top of the group stage earlier within the week was overshadowed by Iran’s departure from the event and the granting of asylum to members of the delegation.
