Women’s Asian Cup 2022: Taiwan cruise to 5-0 victory over Iran to secure their place in the quarter-finals
- Taiwan sail past a struggling Iran to book their place in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup quarter-finals
- In Group C Vietnam face Myanmar for a quarter-finals spot and a showdown against Group A leader China
Taiwan booked their place in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup quarter-finals after a convincing 5-0 win over Iran.
Taiwan midfielder Lai Li-Chin was the star performer for her side, booting three goals to help seal their second place in Group A behind China and advance to the knockout stage.
Both teams lost to China, and went into the match fully aware of what was at stake, with Taiwan only needing a draw to pip Iran to a quarter-final berth.
Iran, appearing in their inaugural AFC Women’s Asian Cup, had the first look on goal in the third minute when Melika Motevalli almost caught Taiwan napping, but her header was parried to safety by goalkeeper Cheng Ssu-Yu.
From there it was one-way traffic for Taiwan, who responded immediately with Lai firing off three quick goals to tip the scales in their favour.
Taiwan doubled their lead in the 31st minute when captain Lai’s intended cross sailed over Iran goalkeeper Zohreh Khodaei and into the back of the net. Taiwan came close to finding the net again in the 55th minute when Lai sent a clever ball into the six-yard-box but substitute Chi Ting sent her shot straight into the arms of Khodaei.
Taiwan made it 5-0 in the 78th minute through substitute Wang Hsiang-Huei, who picked up Su Yu-Hsuan’s through ball before slotting home to seal the emphatic win.
