January 30 – South Korea kept themselves firmly in the hunt for their first AFC Women’s Asian Cup, securing a semi-final place with a 1-0 win over 2018 losing finalists Australia in Pune today (Sunday).
Australia went into the match as favourites having swept through their group scoring 24 goals and conceding just one. South Korea had finished joint top of their group but behind Japan on goal difference having drawn with them in their final group game.
Chelsea’s Sam Kerr has been Australia’s super star forward, overtaking Tim Cahill as Australia’s all-time men’s or women’s top scorer. It wasn’t going to be her day though as chances went begging.
Korea also missed chances, including a first half penalty. But with two minutes remaining, Kerr’s Chelsea teammate Ji So-yun picked up the ball 30 yards from goal, drove towards the goal before hitting a right foot shot that thundered past Lydia Williams.
South Korea will play the Philippines who made history as they progressed to their first Asian Cup semi-final, beating Chinese Taipei 4-3 on penalties after their quarter-final ended 1-1 in extra time.
Philippines hero was goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel who made two saves and scored one in the shootout. The win also qualifies the Philippines for the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
In the other quarter finals China game back from a goal down to move past Vietnam whilst Japan cruised past Thailand.
China are looking for their ninth Asian Women’s Cup title but were a goal behind after 11 minutes when Nguyen Thi Tuyet Dung intercepted Yang Lina’s poor clearance on the edge of the box before striking the ball past goalkeeper Yu Zhu.
Wang Shuang equalised on 25 minutes before second half goals from Wang Shanshan and Tang Jiali made it 3-1.
A Yuika Sugasawa hat trick helped defending champions Japan to 7-0 win.
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