Chinese-Taipei earns Women's Asian Cup quarterfinal slot

c/o Asian Football Confederation

Chinese-Taipei has snapped up a quarterfinal spot in the Women's Asian Cup on Wednesday night, defeating Iran, 5-0 to cap off Group A action at the D.Y. Patil Stadium.

Lai Li-Chin led the way with a hat trick, with Chen Yen-Ping and Wang Hsiang-Huei each netting a goal in the win.

With both teams suffering from defeats against China, Chinese-Taipei came into the match just needing at least a draw to go through, but it was Iran who had the early chance three minutes in, as keeper Cheng Ssu-Yu parried off a Melika Motevalli header.

Chinese-Taipei did have an immediate response a minute later, with Lee Hsiu-Chin finding Lai for the team captain to slot her shot towards the bottom left corner.

Iran had a couple of chances to equalize in the 21st minute, but Cheng saved Afsaneh Chatrenoor's shot and Fatemeh Amineh's header was cleared.

Lai would net her second goal in the 31st minute, as her cross sailed over Zohreh Khodaei's head and into the net.

Chen's goal happened in the 40th minute off of a close range effort to put an end to scoring in the first half.

The second half was not much different, as the East Asians continued to put pressure of the defense, eventually forcing a penalty in the 63rd minute.

Motevalli fouled Su Yu-Hsuan inside the box, and Lai completing her hat trick by sending Khodaei the wrong way a couple of minutes later.

Wang would score the final goal of the match in 78th minute, as the substitute received Su Yu-Hsuan's through ball and then slotting it home.

The win allows Chinese-Taipei to finish second in Group A and will face off against the second-place team in Group B in the quarterfinals.