Camille Naredo

Article (news)

football

Agence France-Presse

PERTH, Australia -- Defending champions China scored twice in extra-time to book a blockbuster semi-final against hosts Australia at the Women&#x27;s Asian Cup Saturday with a dominant South Korea joining them in the last four.Hard-working Shao Ziqin brilliantly fired into the right corner in the 94th minute at Perth and China sealed a tense 2-0 victory over Taiwan courtesy of an own goal from Chen Ying-hui.It kept their bid for a record-extending 10th title on track, with the win also banking direct qualification for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.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.They will face either Japan or the Philippines in the semi-finals on Wednesday.<div><a class="fr-strong fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2026/3/14/sam-kerr-aiming-to-be-at-fifth-world-cup-in-2027-as-australia-qualify-1035">READ: Sam Kerr aiming to be at fifth World Cup in 2027 as Australia qualify</a></div>China will meet the Matildas on Tuesday, but will be without star midfielder Wang Shuang who picked up a yellow card for the second straight match.&quot;Of course, she&#x27;s a loss. There is going to be an opportunity for someone else,&quot; China head coach Ante Milicic said.&quot;These girls are so resilient. I&#x27;ll back my girls against any opponent.&quot;The quarter-final had political undertones given China&#x27;s claim to the self-ruled island of Taiwan, who compete under the name &quot;Chinese Taipei&quot; in international sports events.It is part of a compromise with China that allows them to take part in major competitions without presenting itself as a sovereign nation.The crowd of 5,238 was split between the fan bases although the Taiwanese contingent were more vocal.There were some flag-waving Chinese fans wearing shirts with the words &quot;China is my faith&quot; written on the back.Like China, Taiwan has enjoyed strong support at the tournament but controversy erupted in the stands during their last game in Sydney.Former Taiwan coach Chen Kuei-jen was ejected from the stadium for leading a &quot;Taiwan Jiayu&quot;, or &quot;Go Taiwan&quot;, chant.There did not appear to be a repeat on Saturday.&quot;They put everything they have on the pitch and showed how strong their heart is,&quot; current Taiwan coach Prasobchoke Chokemor said of his team.&quot;I told them you don&#x27;t need to be sad, you don&#x27;t need to cry.&quot;In Sydney, Son Hwa-yeon opened South Korea&#x27;s account 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 an Uzbek side playing in the knockouts of the continental competition for the first time.Despite losing, Taiwan and Uzbekistan still have a chance to make the World Cup.They move to the playoffs along with North Korea and the loser of the Japan-Philippines clash on Sunday.The winners of those two matches will also gain automatic qualification to the global showpiece.

Defending champions China scored twice in extra-time to book a blockbuster semi-final against hosts Australia at the Women's Asian Cup Saturday with a dominant South Korea joining them in the last four.

Defending champions China scored twice in extra-time to book a blockbuster semi-final against hosts Australia at the Women's Asian Cup Saturday with a dominant South Korea joining them in the last four.

China and South Korea power into Women's Asian Cup semis

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China and South Korea power into Women's Asian Cup semis

Agence France-Presse

Published March 14, 2026 08:20 PM PHT

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abssports

football

AFC Women's Asian Cup

China

South Korea

Uzbekistan

Chinese Taipei

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