Hangzhou, China, September 30, 2023: Hosts China will face defending champions Japan in the semi-finals of the Hangzhou Asian Games women’s football tournament on Tuesday, while Uzbekistan will take on DPR Korea for a place in Friday’s gold medal decider.
Shui Qingxia’s side handed Thailand a 4-0 loss as Japan won 8-1 over the Philippines on Saturday thanks to four goals from Mami Ueno, a brace from Haruka Osawa and efforts from Momoko Tanikawa and Remina Chiba to set up a repeat of the 2018 final.
DPR Korea scored three times in the final 10 minutes to hand 10-player Republic of Korea a 4-1 defeat in their quarter-final, while Uzbekistan needed an extra-time winner from Umida Zoirova to prevail 2-1 against Chinese Taipei.
“I want to thank my players for bringing out the best of themselves,” Shui said after the Chinese saw off the Thais. “I’m very happy to win the match and we will get ready for the next game.”
Wang Shanshan headed the Chinese in front after only three minutes before Wang Shuang scored either side of the halftime interval to guarantee her team’s progress.
The Racing Louisville forward doubled the advantage four minutes before the break as she wrong-footed the Thai defence after Zhang Rui’s lofted ball into the box and then headed in the third six minutes after the restart.
Substitute Yang Lina struck from eight yards with nine minutes remaining to seal a comfortable victory for the former champions.
Japan booked their place in the semi-finals after Hali Long’s 28th minute red card had reduced the Philippines to 10 players and Tanikawa gave the defending champions the lead from the penalty spot five minutes before halftime.
Osawa and Chiba scored in the 58th and 65th minutes to make the game safe and, while Sarina Bolden netted in the a 68th minute for the Filipinas, Mami Ueno’s late flurry of four goals in 15 minutes, including one from the spot, sealed an emphatic win for Japan. Osawa added an eighth in the 94th minute.
An Myong Son, Ri Hak and Kim Kyong Yong scored inside the final 10 minutes to break the deadlock for DPR Korea against the Republic of Korea, who played the final 50 minutes a player short after Son Hwa-yeon was sent off for a second bookable offence.
An’s own goal had put the Republic of Korea in front after 11 minutes but DPR Korea levelled nine minutes later when Ri bent her free kick into the top corner.
A clash with goalkeeper Kim Un Hui earned Son a second booking in the 41st minute and, after dominating throughout the second half, An stabbed in from close range in the 81st minute to finally put DPR Korea in front.
Ri beat Republic of Korea goalkeeper Kim Jung-mi from distance nine minutes later and Kim Kyong Yong hit a late penalty to complete the win.
Uzbekistan prevailed in their quarter-final despite seeing Su Yu-hsuan cancel out Diyorakhon Khabibullaeva’s opener four minutes from time, with Zoirova netting 11 minutes into extra-time to take the Central Asians into the last four.
“The match was very difficult, but we were prepared,” said Zoirova. “We knew it would be a hard match. My goal was the most important goal of the match. If it weren't for my goal, the match would have gone differently.” (Michael Church)