In a thrilling display of skill and determination, defending champions China managed to secure their place in the semifinals of the Women’s Asian Cup by overcoming Taiwan in a tightly contested match that extended into extra time. The encounter, held on Saturday in Perth, saw China emerge victorious with a 2-0 scoreline, thanks to a late strike from Shao Ziqin and an own goal by Taiwan’s Chen Ying-hui. This win not only keeps China’s hopes alive for a record-breaking 10th Asian Cup title but also guarantees their direct qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Meanwhile, South Korea demonstrated their dominance in Sydney by delivering a commanding 6-0 victory over Uzbekistan. This emphatic win ensures South Korea’s participation in the upcoming World Cup, reinforcing their status as one of Asia’s top contenders. The South Korean team, which finished as runners-up to China in the 2022 edition of the tournament, will now prepare to face either Japan or the Philippines in the semifinals scheduled for Wednesday.
The semifinal matchups promise high drama, with China set to clash against the host nation Australia on Tuesday. However, China will have to navigate this crucial game without their influential midfielder Wang Shuang, who has been suspended after receiving a second yellow card in consecutive matches. Head coach Ante Milicic acknowledged the setback but expressed confidence in his squad’s depth and resilience, emphasizing that other players will rise to the occasion in her absence.
The quarterfinal between China and Taiwan carried an added layer of political significance due to the sensitive status of Taiwan, which competes internationally under the name “Chinese Taipei” as part of an agreement with China. This arrangement allows Taiwan to participate in global sporting events without asserting sovereignty, a compromise that reflects the complex geopolitical tensions in the region. The match attracted a crowd of 5,238 spectators, with vocal support on both sides. Taiwanese fans were particularly spirited, while some Chinese supporters displayed shirts emblazoned with the slogan “China is my faith,” highlighting the nationalistic fervor surrounding the game.
Despite the intensity of the rivalry, the atmosphere remained largely respectful, a contrast to previous incidents such as the ejection of former Taiwan coach Chen Kuei-jen in Sydney for leading a politically charged chant. Taiwan’s current coach, Prasobchoke Chokemor, praised his players for their courage and determination, urging them to remain proud despite the defeat. His words reflected the team’s fighting spirit and the emotional weight carried by athletes competing under challenging circumstances.
South Korea’s dominant performance against Uzbekistan was marked by early goals from Son Hwa-yeon and Ko Yoo-jin before halftime, followed by a flurry of second-half strikes from Park Soo-jeong, Ji So-yun, Lee Eun-young, and Jang Sel-gi. This comprehensive victory underscored South Korea’s offensive prowess and tactical superiority, especially against an Uzbek team making its first appearance in the knockout stages of the continental tournament.
Although Taiwan and Uzbekistan suffered defeats in their quarterfinal matches, their journey in the competition is not over. Both teams still have a pathway to the World Cup through the upcoming playoffs, which also include North Korea and the loser of the Japan-Philippines quarterfinal scheduled for Sunday. The winners of these playoff matches will secure automatic qualification to the global tournament, keeping hopes alive for these nations to compete on the world stage.
