China PR defeat Chinese Taipei to book semifinal spot in AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026

Extra time goals decide second quarterfinal of AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026

The second quarterfinal of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 saw China PR secure a hard-fought 2–0 victory over Chinese Taipei after extra time, following a tightly contested match that remained goalless after 90 minutes of regulation.

The result sends China PR into the semifinals, where they will face hosts Australia, while the remaining semifinalists are yet to be decided.

For Chinese Taipei, the defeat means a trip to the Gold Coast, where they will take on DPR Korea in the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualification (AFC play-offs) playoff on Thursday for a place at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

Evenly contested 90 minutes

China PR made seven changes to the side that defeated DPR Korea 2-1 in the group stage, with Wang Linlin back in central defense and Peng Shumeng replacing Chen Chen in goal, while Chinese Taipei swapped goalkeeper Cheng Ssu-Yu for Wang Yu-Ting from their 3-1 win over India.

The nine-time champions dictated the tempo from the start, with Wu Haiyan setting up Ziqin for a header, only for the Jiangsu Wuxi forward to pull her effort wide of the left post.

Chinese Taipei stayed compact in a low defensive block but let slip a golden opportunity to take the lead in the 13th minute when Chen Yu-Chin surged forward and found Chen Jin-Wen, who mistimed her glancing header from close range.

Prasobchoke Chokemor’s side continued to live dangerously with Zhang Xin and Wu Chengshu threatening, while Wang Shuang saw her long-range effort easily dealt with by Ssu-Yu.

China PR’s patient build-up nearly paid off in the 39th minute when Zhang Xin’s perfect cross found Wang Shuang, whose looping header beat Ssu-Yu, only for the goal to be ruled out for a handball in the buildup.   

Sent on after the break, Wurigumula almost made an impact eight minutes in, linking with Ziqin, who clipped her effort just wide.

Chinese Taipei almost turned the tables in the 54th minute when Hsu Yi-Yun released Jin-Wen through on goal but the Kaohsiung Attackers midfielder’s looping attempt over Peng Shumeng sailed over the bar.

Ssu-Yu kept Chinese Taipei in the game, first denying Shao Ziqin’s headed attempt in the 72nd minute and then pulling off another fine save to stop Zhang Rui’s powerful header from inside the six-yard-box.

Another chance went begging in second half stoppage time after Yao Wei struck the crossbar following a neat build-up, with Shao Ziqin then dragging her effort just wide off the left post as the game went into extra-time.

The extra time drama

China PR eventually broke the deadlock in the 94th minute when Ziqin latched onto Wang Shuang’s clever layoff and calmly lofted the ball past Ssu-Yu into the right corner.

Chinese Taipei came under heavy pressure after the restart and soon conceded a penalty when Pan Yen-Hsin fouled Ziqin inside the box.

However, Ssu-Yu guessed correctly and produced a fine save to deny Wurigumula from the spot, keeping her side in the contest.

China PR finally sealed the result in the 118th minute. Wurigumula combined well with substitute Jin Kun, whose cross from inside the box took a deflection off Ying-Hui before rolling over the line, confirming China PR’s place in the semi-finals of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026.

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