China edge out Chinese Taipei in extra time and will meet hosts Australia in Women’s Asian Cup semis
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Shao Ziqin of China is tackled by Teng Pei-Lin of Chinese Taipei during their Women's Asian Cup quarter-finals.
PHOTO: EPA
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PERTH – Defending champions China scored twice in extra time to book a blockbuster semi-final with hosts Australia at the Women’s Asian Cup, after a tense 2-0 win over Chinese Taipei on March 14.
Shao Ziqin brilliantly fired into the right corner in the 94th minute before earning a penalty in the second half of added time. Substitute Wurigumula missed the spot kick, but China sealed victory at Perth Rectangular Stadium through an own goal from Chen Ying-hui.
It kept China’s bid for a record-extending 10th title on track, with victory also ensuring their direct qualification for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.
They will face the Matildas on March 17 at the 60,000-seat Perth Stadium after the hosts edged out North Korea 2-1 in the last eight. But they will be without star midfielder Wang Shuang, who picked up a yellow card for the second straight match.
“Of course, she’s a loss. There is going to be an opportunity for someone else,” China head coach Ante Milicic said. “These girls are so resilient. I’ll back my girls against any opponent.”
South Korea – runners-up to China in 2022 – also ensured they will be at the World Cup with a 6-0 trouncing of Uzbekistan in Sydney later. They will face either Japan or the Philippines in the semi-finals on March 18.
Son Hwa-yeon opened accounts in the ninth minute with Ko Yoo-jin collecting a second before the break in a one-sided affair.
Park Soo-jeong, Ji So-yun, Lee Eun-young and Jang Sel-gi added second-half goals against a Uzbek side playing in the knockouts of the continental competition for the first time.
Chinese Taipei now move to a play-off against North Korea with an automatic World Cup spot on the line. Uzbekistan meet the losers of the final quarter-final on March 15 for the other place.
Said Shao after China’s win: “I’m so happy we won the match today and that I was able to score a goal. We’re now in the last four. Thank you everyone for your support.
The earlier quarter-final had political undertones given China’s claim to the self-ruled island of Taiwan, which competes as Chinese Taipei in international sport.
It is part of a political compromise with China that allows it to take part in major competitions without presenting itself as a sovereign nation.
The crowd of 5,238 was relatively split between the fan bases, although the Taiwanese contingent was more vocal. There were some flag-waving Chinese fans wearing shirts with the words “China is my faith” written on the back.
Like China, Chinese Taipei have enjoyed strong support at the event but controversy erupted in the stands during their last game in Sydney.
Former coach Chen Kuei-jen was ejected from the stadium for leading a “Taiwan Jiayu”, or “Go Taiwan”, chant. There did not appear to be a repeat on March 14.
“They put everything they have on the pitch and showed how strong their heart is,” current coach Prasobchoke Chokemor said of his team.
“I told them you don’t need to be sad, you don’t need to cry.”
Chinese Taipei are known for their dogged defence but unfurled attacking flair in the early exchanges.
China gained control in the midfield and dominated possession and appeared to capitalise just before the interval when Wang headed home, triggering jubilation from their fans. But celebrations were cut short when the goal was overturned due to a handball by her earlier in the chain.
China put the foot on the gas after the break, but Chinese Taipei threatened on the counter-attack.
In the last stages of regulation time, substitute Yao Wei’s bullet hit the crossbar as the match went into extra time, when Shao stepped up. AFP
