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Defending champions China scored twice in extra-time to book a blockbuster semi-final against hosts Australia at the Women\u2019s Asian Cup Saturday with a dominant South Korea joining them in the last four.<\/strong><\/p>\n Hard-working Shao Ziqin brilliantly fired into the right corner in the 94th minute at Perth and China sealed a tense 2-0 victory over Taiwan courtesy of an own goal from Chen Ying-hui.<\/p>\n It kept their bid for a record-extending 10th title on track, with the win also banking direct qualification for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.<\/p>\n South Korea \u2014 runners up to China in 2022 \u2014 also ensured they will be at the World Cup with a 6-0 trouncing of Uzbekistan in Sydney.<\/p>\n They will face either Japan or the Philippines in the semi-finals on Wednesday.<\/p>\n China will meet the Matildas on Tuesday, but will be without star midfielder Wang Shuang who picked up a yellow card for the second straight match.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course, she\u2019s a loss. There is going to be an opportunity for someone else,\u201d China head coach Ante Milicic said.<\/p>\n \u201cThese girls are so resilient. I\u2019ll back my girls against any opponent.\u201d<\/p>\n The quarter-final had political undertones given China\u2019s claim to the self-ruled island of Taiwan, who compete under the name \u201cChinese Taipei\u201d in international sports events.<\/p>\n It is part of a compromise with China that allows them to take part in major competitions without presenting itself as a sovereign nation.<\/p>\n The crowd of 5,238 was split between the fan bases although the Taiwanese contingent were more vocal.<\/p>\n There were some flag-waving Chinese fans wearing shirts with the words \u201cChina is my faith\u201d written on the back.<\/p>\n Like China, Taiwan has enjoyed strong support at the tournament but controversy erupted in the stands during their last game in Sydney.<\/p>\n Former Taiwan coach Chen Kuei-jen was ejected from the stadium for leading a \u201cTaiwan Jiayu\u201d, or \u201cGo Taiwan\u201d, chant.<\/p>\n There did not appear to be a repeat on Saturday.<\/p>\n \u201cThey put everything they have on the pitch and showed how strong their heart is,\u201d current Taiwan coach Prasobchoke Chokemor said of his team.<\/p>\n \u201cI told them you don\u2019t need to be sad, you don\u2019t need to cry.\u201d<\/p>\n In Sydney, Son Hwa-yeon opened South Korea\u2019s account in the ninth minute with Ko Yoo-jin collecting a second before the break in a one-sided affair.<\/p>\n Park Soo-jeong, Ji So-yun, Lee Eun-young and Jang Sel-gi added second-half goals against a Uzbek side playing in the knockouts of the continental competition for the first time.<\/p>\n Despite losing, Taiwan and Uzbekistan still have a chance to make the World Cup.<\/p>\n They move to the playoffs along with North Korea and the loser of the Japan-Philippines clash on Sunday.<\/p>\n The winners of those two matches will also gain automatic qualification to the global showpiece.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n