Chinese Taipei advanced to the quarter-finals of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026 after defeating India 3-1 in Group C at the Western Sydney Stadium on Tuesday.
The victory means the East Asians finish in second place behind Japan and will face defending champions China PR in their last eight tie on Saturday.
India began brightly, earning their first corner inside the opening minute. Taken by Manisha Kalyan, the delivery caused a scramble in the goalmouth and struck the post before being quickly gathered by Chinese Taipei goalkeeper Wang Yu-Ting.
Chinese Taipei threatened almost immediately in response, with Chen Jin-Wen collecting Wu Kai-Ching’s through ball two minutes later, but her attempt drifted narrowly wide.
The Blue Tigresses continued to search for an early breakthrough, with Kalyan bursting through the centre before setting up Soumya Guguloth, whose right-footed effort sailed just wide of the right post.
Chinese Taipei also remained dangerous going forward, with Chen Yu-Jin forcing India goalkeeper Panthoi Chanu into action with a strike from the left that had to be punched clear.
The three-time champions were rewarded for their persistence soon after when Su Yu-Hsuan capitalised on a defensive lapse. Sanju’s mistimed attempt to clear left Panthoi stranded and the goal unattended, allowing Su to slot the ball home.
With the momentum on their side, Chinese Taipei pushed for a second and came close just past the half-hour mark when Chen Ying-Hui’s overhead cross found Kai-Ching, but the defender’s effort sailed wide despite beating several red shirts.
India, however, found a moment of inspiration in the 39th minute when Kalyan unleashed a superb left-footed strike from a well-placed free-kick, which, after a VAR review, was confirmed to have crossed the goal line.
Chinese Taipei regained the lead seconds before the break after Pyari Xaxa was penalised for a handball. Hsu Yi-Yun stepped up to take the penalty and saw her effort strike the post before ricocheting off the outstretched Panthoi and rolling into the net.
The Prasobchoke Chokemor-led squad returned from the break with the same resolve and almost extended their lead in the 48th minute when Jin-Wen’s curling delivery found Huang Ke-Sin in a dangerous position inside the six-yard box.
Her close-range effort was first blocked by Indian skipper Sweety Devi and, after the rebound fell kindly back to her, goalkeeper Panthoi reacted quickly to clear the danger.
Chinese Taipei threatened again in the 53rd minute when Yi-Yun’s short pass released Jin-Wen, but her attempt was eventually cleared by the collective efforts of the Indian backline.
With just over an hour played, Yu-Hsuan thought she had scored her second of the night when she fired in from the centre of the box, but the effort was ruled out for offside.
Jin-Wen once again troubled the Indian defence when Yi-Yun’s long pass found the forward, whose right-footed shot drifted narrowly past the right post.
For much of the remaining minutes, play was confined to the Indian half as Chinese Taipei launched wave after wave of attacks, keeping the Indian defence constantly on alert.
Their perseverance finally paid off in the 77th minute when Kai-Ching spotted a gap in the Indian backline and slipped the ball through for Yu-Chin, who finished into an unattended goalmouth.
Pyari Xaxa had a chance to narrow the gap in the closing moments but saw her header from the centre of the box denied by the woodwork, as India’s campaign came to an end.
AFC Media
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