Friday , March 29 2024

2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup semifinalists, playoff teams decided!

The semifinalists for the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup – India were decided following an exciting day of quarterfinal action on Sunday, January 30.

Two-time defending champions Japan led the cast for the last four stage with eight-time winners China, South Korea and the Philippines joining them in Thursday’s semifinals, which also sealed all four sides their places in the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia/New Zealand 2023.

Chinese Taipei, Thailand and Vietnam, meanwhile, will square off in a round robin playoff to determine the fifth team to earn an automatic slot to the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The quarterfinal action saw Japan cruise 7-0 past a brave but depleted Thailand at the D.Y. Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.

Japan will face China, who came from behind to defeat a spirited Vietnam 3-1, also at the D.Y. Patil Stadium.

The Australia-South Korea quarterfinal at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Pune witnessed a dramatic ending with Ji So-yun’s long-range stunner two minutes from time securing the East Asian side a 1-0 win against the 2010 AFC Women’s Asian Cup champions.

The Chinese Taipei-Philippines quarterfinal, also in Pune, was equally exciting, with the Southeast Asian side winning 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw to book their first ever appearance in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup semifinals.

With Australia having already qualified for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 as co-hosts, the playoffs for the remaining automatic berth will involve only Chinese Taipei, Thailand and Vietnam.

Thailand will play Vietnam on Wednesday, with the Southeast Asian side then taking on Chinese Taipei two days later.

The final playoff tie will see Vietnam meeting Chinese Taipei on February 6, with the top team to advance to the FIFA Women’s World Cup Finals and the remaining two having to navigate through the Inter-Confederation playoffs to see action in Australia/New Zealand 2023.

About Arunava Chaudhuri

Check Also

AIFF TV: India press conference after Afghanistan loss!

Watch the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier post-match press conference featuring India head coach Igor …