China beats Taiwan 2-0 to reach semifinals of Women’s Asian Cup, South Korea also advances

By: The Associated Press Posted: 3:08 AM CDT Saturday, Mar. 14, 2026 Last Modified: 7:09 AM CDT Saturday, Mar. 14, 2026

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PERTH, Australia (AP) — Defending champion China beat Taiwan 2-0 at the Women’s Asian Cup on Saturday to set up a semifinal against host Australia and clinch a place at the 2027 Women's World Cup.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 14/03/2026 (206 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

After 90 minutes ended goalless in a match between opponents with geopolitical tensions, Shao Ziqin broke the deadlock three minutes into extra time before a late own goal sealed the win.

“I’m so happy we won the match today and that I was able to score a goal,” Shao said.

China's Shao Ziqin, right, celebrates after scoring her team's first goal during the Women's Asian Cup quarterfinal soccer match between China and Taiwan in Perth, Australia, Saturday, March 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Gary Day)

On Friday, Sam Kerr scored one goal and created another as Australia advanced and secured a World Cup spot with a 2-1 win over North Korea.

In Sydney on Saturday, South Korea moved into the last four with a 6-0 rout of Uzbekistan. Son Hwa-yeon opened the scoring for the 2022 finalist after just nine minutes and Ko Yoo-jin fired home from outside the area in the 20th. Four second-half goals completed the thrashing.

South Korea will face the winner of Sunday’s game between Japan and the Philippines. Japan has scored a tournament-leading 17 goals without conceding.

The semifinals are set for Tuesday and Wednesday with the final to be played next Saturday in Sydney.

World Cup spots

All four semifinalists at the Women’s Asian Cup qualify automatically for next year’s World Cup in Brazil.

The losing quarterfinalists will have another shot at qualifying for the World Cup in a playoff next Thursday in Australia — the fifth- and sixth-place teams in this continental tournament will also secure spots in Brazil.

South Korea's Ko Yoo-jin celebrates after scoring her team's second goal during the Women's Asian Cup quarterfinal soccer match between South Korea and Uzbekistan in Sydney, Saturday, March 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

The end of the group stage earlier in the week was overshadowed by Iran’s departure from the tournament and the granting of asylum to members of the delegation.

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