The final four at this year’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup is almost set after a day in which East Asian powerhouses China and Korea Republic won through to the semi-final in very differing styles.
Over in Perth, defending champions China kept alive their remarkable stat of having made the semi-final at every Women’s Asian Cup at which they have competed, with a hard fought, extra time win over a resilient Chinese Taipei.
In truth this was a match China should’ve finished inside the regulation 90 minutes, if not the first 45. They dominated possession and peppered the goal, but a combination of poor finishing and resolute defending kept them at bay.
Zhang Xin’s left footed effort mid-way through the first half fizzed just wide, before China thought they had the opened nearing the end of the first half from the head of Wang Shuang.
But a combination of a handball from Wang in the lead up, as well as an offside, saw the goal chalked out as the teams went to the break level. The second half very much followed the flow of the first, with China well on top.
Shao Ziqin shot narrowly wide in the opening minutes of the second half, before China were almost made to pay for their profligacy when Chen Jin-wen was played through but failed to hit the target with Peng Shimeng out of position.
With extra time looming, China came closest to breaking the deadlock in the final seconds when Yao Wei saw her shot hit the crossbar.
Despite neither side being able to find the back of the net inside 90 minutes, it took just four minutes into extra time for Shao to give China the lead with a nicely taken finish from the edge of the area.
A Wurigumula missed penalty could’ve been costly, but an unfortunate own goal from Chen Yeng-hui sealed the result in China’s favour.
In Sydney, meanwhile, Korea Republic had an easier time of it against first-time quarter finalist Uzbekistan, romping to a 6-0 win as they continue their impressive form this tournament; scoring three or more goals in every game so far.
Two goals up inside 20 minutes thanks to Son Hwa-yeon and Ko Yoo-jin, the writing was on the wall early for Uzbekistan, and while they were able to limit the damage in the first half, in the second the floodgates opened as Korea’s superior technical and tactical ability wore down their more inexperienced opponents.
Park Soo-yeong ended it as a contest just before the hour mark by making it 3-0, before goals from veteran Ji So-yun, Lee Eun-young and Jang Sel-gi rounded out the 6-0 hammering.
WHAT WE LEARNED
China will miss Wang Shuang’s influence: One of the most significant moments in China’s win came in the 75th minute when Wang Shuang was shown a yellow card for a foul on goalkeeper Cheng Ssu-yu.
Being her second of the tournament, it means she will now miss the semi-final against Australia in a huge blow for the defending champions. The 31-year-old remains her side’s best attacking weapon, so coach Ante Milicic will have to devise a plan to replace not only her ability, but also her influence.
Uzbekistan dealt a harsh lesson: This has been a fairytale tournament for Uzbekistan, who reached the knockout rounds of the tournament for the first time in their history. But having got there, the gap they need to make up to the elite of Asia was laid bare.
As the hosts of the next tournament in 2029, this tournament was always designed to lay the foundations for a more serious campaign on home soil. But with just three years until that tournament begins, there is a lot of work to be done to be ready to go one better on home soil in 2029.
WHAT THEY SAID
Prasobchoke Chokemor – Chinese Taipei coach: “I told them you don’t need to be sad, you don’t need to cry. You can be proud. They put everything into it and showed a strong heart.”
Ante Milicic – China coach: “Of course (Wang Shuang) is a loss But at the same time, the tournament is always about 26 players.
“And we have to be at a stage now where we look forward and now there is going to be an opportunity for someone else and what better stage to showcase your talents in a semi-final against Australia.
“One thing I know about these girls is playing in front of big opposing crowds doesn’t phase them,” he said.
“It’s ok to go into the game on Tuesday with everyone thinking ‘they played 120 minutes, Wang Shuang’s not playing’. So be it, we’re fine with that, we’re comfortable with that.
“But I look at my own team and these girls, they are just so resilient. They love their country, they’re so patriotic. They want to do well, they listen, they learn. I see it in their eyes every day.
“So I’ll back my girls against any opponent. These girls, that’s their mentality, not only as footballers, but as a country, it’s so strong.”
WHAT COMES NEXT
China will remain in Perth ahead of their crunch semi-final against host nation Australia in a clash that will also see China’s coach, Ante Milicic, come up against his former side having previously coached the Matildas to the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
For Chinese Taipei, they now travel to the Gold Coast to face DPR Korea in a playoff to decide which nation qualifies for next year’s Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Korea Republic will await the result of tomorrow’s clash between Japan and the Philippines before confirming their semi-final opponent, while Uzbekistan will also travel to the Gold Coast to face the loser from Japan and the Philippines for a spot at the Women’s World Cup.
