By Shakeel Ur Rehman
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA: Chinese Taipei advanced to the quarter-finals of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026 after defeating India 3-1 in their Group C match at Western Sydney Stadium on Tuesday.
The victory ensured the East Asian side finished second in the group behind Japan and set up a quarter-final clash with defending champions China PR on Saturday.
India started the match brightly and won their first corner within the opening minute. Manisha Kalyan delivered a dangerous ball into the box which caused a scramble in front of goal and struck the post before being gathered by Chinese Taipei goalkeeper Wang Yu-Ting.
Chinese Taipei responded quickly and threatened two minutes later when Chen Jin-Wen collected Wu Kai-Ching’s through pass, but her effort drifted narrowly wide.
India’s Blue Tigresses continued to search for an early breakthrough. Kalyan surged through the centre before setting up Soumya Guguloth, whose right-footed shot went just wide of the right post.
Chinese Taipei also looked dangerous in attack, with Chen Yu-Jin forcing Indian goalkeeper Panthoi Chanu into action with a strike from the left that had to be punched clear.
The three-time champions eventually broke the deadlock after capitalising on a defensive lapse. Sanju’s mistimed clearance left Panthoi stranded and the goal unattended, allowing Su Yu-Hsuan to calmly slot the ball into the net.
With momentum on their side, Chinese Taipei pushed for a second goal and came close shortly after the half-hour mark when Chen Ying-Hui’s overhead cross found Kai-Ching, but the defender’s attempt sailed wide.
India found a moment of inspiration in the 39th minute when Manisha Kalyan struck a superb left-footed free-kick. After a VAR review, the ball was confirmed to have crossed the goal line, bringing India level.
However, Chinese Taipei regained the lead just before halftime after Pyari Xaxa was penalised for a handball. Hsu Yi-Yun stepped up to take the penalty and saw her shot hit the post before ricocheting off Panthoi and rolling into the net.
The Prasobchoke Chokemor-led side returned after the break with the same attacking intent and nearly extended their lead in the 48th minute when Jin-Wen’s curling delivery found Huang Ke-Sin inside the six-yard box.
Her close-range effort was blocked by Indian captain Sweety Devi and when the rebound fell back to her, 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 the Indian defence combined well to clear the attempt.
Just after the hour mark, Yu-Hsuan thought she had scored her second of the night when she fired from the centre of the box, but the goal 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 post.
For much of the remaining time, play remained in the Indian half as Chinese Taipei launched wave after wave of attacks.
Their persistence finally paid off in the 77th minute when Kai-Ching spotted a gap in the Indian defence and slipped the ball through for Yu-Chin, who finished into an unattended goal to seal the victory.
India had a late opportunity to reduce the deficit but Pyari Xaxa’s header struck the woodwork, bringing an end to their campaign in the tournament.
