{"id":5750,"date":"2026-03-11T10:43:45","date_gmt":"2026-03-11T00:13:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/?p=5750"},"modified":"2026-09-25T11:49:21","modified_gmt":"2026-09-25T02:19:21","slug":"chinese-taipei-reach-quarter-finals-vietnam-india-exit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/ro\/chinese-taipei-reach-quarter-finals-vietnam-india-exit\/","title":{"rendered":"Chinese Taipei reach quarter-finals; Vietnam, India exit"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chinese Taipei booked their spot in the quarter-finals of the AFC Women\u2019s Asian Cup 2026 after seeing off India 3-1 at the Western Sydney Stadium on Tuesday, as the group stage reached its conclusion.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The scoreline doesn\u2019t tell the full story of the match, with India coming into the game on the back of a mathematical chance of still going through, knowing that they had to win by a two-goal margin to progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As such, the Blue Tigresses made a promising start, showing real attacking intent, but any lingering hopes they had were extinguished when Sanju Yadav\u2019s underhit backpass resulted in Su Yu-hsuan tapping the ball into an empty net in the 12th minute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

India responded in emphatic style in the 39th minute through Manisha Kalyan\u2019s magnificent long-range free-kick. Despite that, just like always, Lady Luck never seems to be on the side of India in major tournaments, and that was the case once again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ball struck Pyari Xaxa\u2019s hand deep into first half stoppage time, resulting in a Chinese Taipei penalty. India goalkeeper Panthoi Chanu dived the right way, seeing Hsu Yi-yun\u2019s spot kick hit the post, only for the ball to deflect off Panthoi\u2019s back and creep over the line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In the second half, Chinese Taipei\u2019s balls over the top caused distress in the Indian backline and on one such occasion, captain Sweety Devi and Panthoi horribly collided as Chen Yu-chin tapped the ball into an unguarded net to make it 3-1. Both Indian players were hospitalised following lengthy medical protocols on the pitch. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the odds stacked against them, Amelia Valverde\u2019s side continued to attack and even hit the crossbar in the 90th minute, while a couple of Manisha\u2019s free-kicks also gave Chinese Taipei substitute goalkeeper Cheng Ssu-yu plenty of problems, but ultimately they did enough to go through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the day\u2019s corresponding Group C fixture, Japan breezed past Vietnam at the Perth Rectangular Stadium. Riko Ueki\u2019s perfectly placed header from Yui Hasegawa\u2019s cross opened the scoring in the 21st minute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Second-half strikes from Maika Hamano, Aoba Fujino and Kiko Seike meant they won 4-0, finishing with 17 goals scored and none conceded. The Nadeshiko celebrated a landmark night for Mina Tanaka after the full-time whistle, as the forward became the latest centurion for the national team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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WHAT WE LEARNED<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Manisha Kalyan, India\u2019s bright spark: <\/strong>India might be going home, but only after delivering arguably the goal of the tournament. Manisha Kalyan once again displayed why she has the attributes to become a world-class player on Tuesday. With India a goal down, she clawed her team back into the contest with one of the best goals any Indian player has ever scored in AFC tournaments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She lined up to take a free-kick from long range, and just like her idol, delivered a Cristiano Ronaldo-esque strike that hit the underside of the crossbar before going in. Sometimes, it is moments like this that matter more than the results, as the Blue Tigresses leave with their heads held high.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sanfida Nongrum on Manisha Kalyan:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe learn a lot from Manisha Di. Her touches, her flair and experience playing football all over the world are something that we admire. Her technique on the ball with that sweet left foot is exquisite. She is an inspiration for girls all over India.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Take a bow, Manisha Kalyan!

What a strike! One of the finest goals we\u2019ve seen at #WAC2026<\/a> \ud83d\udc4f\u26bd#INDvTPE<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/Qar4YANmdh<\/a><\/p>— #AsianCup2027 (@afcasiancup) March 10, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote>