China to face Matildas in semi-final after tough win over Taiwan

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/shao-ziqin/bXPjCDWn/"]Shao Ziqin[/a] brilliantly fired into the right corner in the 94th minute before earning a penalty in the second-half of added time.[/p][p]Substitute [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/wurigumula/OARiWXT8/"]Wurigumula[/a] missed the spot kick but [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/china/IFHViN7N/"]China[/a] sealed victory at Perth Rectangular Stadium through an own goal from [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/chen-ying-hui/2RBBVUst/"]Chen Ying-hui[/a].[/p][p]It kept China's bid for a record-extending 10th title on track, with victory also ensuring their direct qualification for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.[/p][p]They will face the Matildas on Tuesday at the 60,000-seat Perth Stadium after the hosts edged [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/north-korea/fojQgvMl/"]North Korea[/a] 2-1 in the last eight.[/p][p]China will be without star midfielder [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/wang-shuang/IR4XvLMs/"]Wang Shuang[/a], who was handed a yellow card for the second straight match.[/p][p]"[b]Of course, she's a loss. There is going to be an opportunity for someone else,[/b]" China head coach Ante Milicic said.[/p][p]"[b]These girls are so resilient. I'll back my girls against any opponent.[/b]"[/p][p]Taiwan now move to a play-off against North Korea with an automatic World Cup spot on the line.[/p][p]"[b]They put everything they have on the pitch and showed how strong their heart is,[/b]" Taiwan head coach Prasobchoke Chokemor said.[/p][p]"[b]We are still on the way to chase our dream of the World Cup.[/b]"[/p][embed guid="d60a0cf6-404d-49a3-a8b5-025375c680f1" url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyFKgSFQ3EQ" social-type="youtube" /][p]The quarter-final had political undertones given China's claim to the self-ruled island of Taiwan, who compete under the name "[a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/chinese-taipei/lpqZiIj1/"]Chinese Taipei[/a]" in international sports events.[/p][p]It is part of a political compromise with China that allows them to take part in major competitions without presenting itself as a sovereign nation.[/p][p]The crowd of 5,238 was relatively split between the fan bases although the Taiwanese contingent were more vocal.[/p][p]There were some flag-waving Chinese fans wearing shirts with the words "[b]China is my faith[/b]" written on the back.[/p][p]Like China, Taiwan has enjoyed strong support at the tournament but controversy erupted in the stands during their last game in Sydney.[/p][p]Former Taiwan coach Chen Kuei-jen was ejected from the stadium for leading a "[b]Taiwan Jiayu[/b]", or "[b]Go Taiwan[/b]", chant.[/p][p]There did not appear to be a repeat on Saturday.[/p][embed guid="1a85fb0a-e239-462d-9c8d-9a786733b8bd" url="https://x.com/Plaantik/status/2032727309401076187" social-type="twitter" /][p]Taiwan are known for their dogged defence but unfurled attacking flair in the early exchanges.[/p][p]China gained control in the midfield and dominated possession and appeared to capitalise just before the interval when Wang headed home, triggering jubilation from the Chinese fans.[/p][p]But their celebrations were cut short when the goal was overturned due to a handball by Wang earlier in the chain.[/p][p]China put the foot on the gas after the break, but Taiwan threatened on the counter-attack.[/p][p]In the last stages of regulation time, substitute [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/wei-yao/4jo8rQHQ/"]Yao Wei[/a]'s bullet hit the crossbar as the match went into extra-time where Shao stepped up.[/p]