January 27 – Two-time defending champions Japan have progressed to the quarter finals of the Women’s Asian Cup as group winners on goal difference, after a 1-1 draw with South Korea.
Riko Ueki put Japan in front in the first minute Seo Ji-yeon equalised following a goal-mouth scramble with five minutes to go.
South Korea, who have never won the womens Asian Cup, have also qualified for the next round and proving themselves an emerging force in the women’s game.
With the two best third place teams also qualifying for the quarter finals, Vietnam and Myanmar battled to a highly entertaining 2-2 draw in their final Group C game.
Vietnam came from behind twice, both times through penalties, to salvage a point and finish third on goal difference but will have to wait till the Group B matches finish later today to see if they are through to the next round.
Iran, playing at their first AFC Women’s Asian Cup, have been competitive in all their matches but have eventually run out of steam as games have progressed. The Iranians had little left in the tank to counter the three second half goals from Chinese Taipei.
At press time, the final round of Group B matches was still ongoing to decide the final quarter final places. Australia look as good as qualified while Indonesia will have to win big against the Philippines to overcome their -22 goal difference of they are to go through.
Goal difference will decide the final two qualifying slots with Vietnam, Thailand and the Philippines looking the most likely to advance on form so far.
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