China and South Korea advance to Women's Asian Cup semi finals

Champions from the previous tournament China netted two goals during extra time to secure a high profile semi final clash with tournament hosts Australia at the Women's Asian Cup on Saturday while a commanding South Korea also progressed to the final four.

Diligent Shao Ziqin slotted the ball neatly into the right corner during the 94th minute in Perth and China clinched a hard fought 2-0 triumph over Taiwan thanks to an unfortunate own goal from Chen Ying-hui.

This result maintains their pursuit of an unprecedented 10th championship and guarantees them a spot in the 2027 World Cup held in Brazil.

South Korea who finished as runners up behind China in 2022 also locked in their World Cup berth with a resounding 6-0 defeat of Uzbekistan in Sydney.

They are set to play either Japan or the Philippines in the semi finals on Wednesday.

China will take on the Matildas on Tuesday although they will miss key midfielder Wang Shuang who received a yellow card for the second consecutive game.

Of course she is a significant absence. It creates a chance for another player to step up said China head coach Ante Milicic.

These players are incredibly tough. I would put my team up against anyone.

The quarter final carried some political nuances due to Chinas territorial claims over the autonomous island of Taiwan which participates under the designation Chinese Taipei in global sporting events.

This arrangement with China enables their involvement in prominent tournaments without portraying themselves as an independent state.

The attendance of 5238 featured divided supporters though the Taiwanese group was notably louder.

A few Chinese supporters waved flags and sported shirts bearing the phrase China is my faith on the reverse.

Similar to China Taiwan has received robust backing throughout the event but an incident occurred in the stands during their previous match in Sydney.

Ex Taiwan coach Chen Kuei-jen was removed from the venue for initiating a Taiwan Jiayu or Go Taiwan cheer.

No such occurrence was evident on Saturday.

They gave their all on the field and demonstrated remarkable determination remarked current Taiwan coach Prasobchoke Chokemor about his squad.

I reassured them there is no reason to feel down or to weep.

In Sydney Son Hwa-yeon got South Korea underway in the ninth minute with Ko Yoo-jin adding another prior to half time in a thoroughly lopsided encounter.

Park Soo-jeong Ji So-yun Lee Eun-young and Jang Sel-gi contributed further strikes after the interval versus an Uzbek team experiencing the knockout stages of this continental event for the initial occasion.

Even in defeat Taiwan and Uzbekistan retain a pathway to the World Cup.

They proceed to the play offs alongside North Korea and the defeated side from the Japan Philippines encounter on Sunday.

The victors of those fixtures will likewise earn direct entry to the international spectacle.