Champions China beat Chinese Taipei to set up Asian Cup semi with Matildas

Updated: Mar 14, 2026, 08:51 am

Defending champions China are through to the Women's Asian Cup semifinals after recording a 2-0 extra-time win over Chinese Taipei.
Defending champions China are through to the Women's Asian Cup semifinals after recording a 2-0 extra-time win over Chinese Taipei.
Paul Kane/Getty Images

China have secured a semi-final berth against the Matildas after defeating Chinese Taipei 2-0 in extra-time in a tense Women's Asian Cup quarter-final showdown in Perth.

In front of 5,238 fans on Saturday, China hit the lead in the fourth minute of extra-time through Shao Ziqin before the deal was sealed in the 118th minute via an unlucky own goal to Chen Ying-Hui.

The reward is a semi-final showdown against tournament hosts Australia at the 60,000-seat Optus Stadium on Tuesday night.

Australia secured their spot in the final four with a nervy 2-1 win over North Korea on Friday night.

Defending champions China had to work much harder for their win against world No. 40 Chinese Taipei than expected.

World No.17 China had a goal rubbed out in the 39th minute but still almost sealed the win without the need for extra-time when Yao Wei fired off a shot in the seventh minute of stoppage time -- only for it to hit the upright.

Shao broke the deadlock early in extra-time with a curling strike from just inside the box, but Wurigumula had a penalty saved by Chinese Taipei goalkeeper Cheng Ssu-Yu in the second period, keeping China on edge.

China made it 2-0 in the dying minutes of extra-time when a cross cannoned into Chinese Taipei defender Chen and in for a goal.

The match was played amidst a delicate political environment given China views self-ruled Taiwan as a breakaway province that will eventually be under Beijing's control.

There didn't appear to be a repeat of the controversy in Sydney, when former Taiwan coach Chen Kuei-Jen was ejected from the stadium during the 3-1 win over India for leading a "Go Taiwan" chant.

Taiwan compete under the name Chinese Taipei in international sporting events.

China had 71.7% possession in the first half of Saturday's match but it only translated to five shots -- and just one on target -- due to Chinese Taipei's water-tight defence.

The one time China truly broke through was in the 39th minute when Zhang Xin's inch-perfect cross was headed in by Wang Shuang.

But China's celebrations were short lived, with the VAR revealing Wang had committed a handball in the lead-up play while attempting to chest down the ball.

China unleashed 26 shots to two for the match and enjoyed 72% possession.