China advances to Womens Asian Cup semifinals with 2-0 win over Taiwan

China Advances to 2027 World Cup Semifinals with 2-0 Win Over Taiwan

Perth, Australia - China secured a spot in the semifinals of the Women’s Asian Cup after defeating Taiwan 2-0 in extra time on Saturday. The match was played at Perth Rectangular Stadium and saw China’s Shao Ziqin score twice, including a penalty in the second half of added time.

The win marked China’s path to the 2027 World Cup in Brazil, where they will face Australia in the semifinals on Tuesday. China head coach Ante Milicic expressed confidence in his team, stating that they are resilient and capable of beating any opponent.

Taiwan, meanwhile, will move on to a playoff against North Korea for an automatic spot in the 2027 World Cup. Taiwan head coach Prasobchoke Chokemor praised his team’s determination, saying they showed their heart on the pitch.

The match was notable for its political undertones, given China’s claim to the self-ruled island of Taiwan. The crowd was relatively split between fans from both countries, although the Taiwanese contingent were more vocal.

China will be without star midfielder Wang Shuang, who received a yellow card in the previous match. Despite this loss, Milicic remains optimistic about his team’s chances.

The quarterfinals are set for Tuesday and Wednesday, with the final to be played next Saturday in Sydney. All four semifinalists at the Women’s Asian Cup will automatically qualify for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.

Source: Al Jazeera