The second round of matches at the Women’s Asian Cup have seen five nations book their ticket to the knockout stages.
South Korea‘s 3-0 win over the Philippines, and Australia‘s 4-0 victory over Iran ensures they will finish as the top two sides in Group A — though the order they finish in is yet to be determined.
Shao Ziqin inspired China a 3-0 win over Uzbekistan and booked the the defending champions’ ticket to the final eight, while North Korea put five past Bangladesh to secure their berth in the knockouts. Much like Group A, the order of Group B’s top two will be decided on the final matchday.
Japan continued to flex their muscles with an 11-0 win over India, but Chinese Taipei‘s win over Vietnam has meant the battle for both second and third spot in Group C is one to watch.
ESPN writers Joey Lynch, Gabriel Tan and Marissa Lordanic are back again to break down the talking points from the second round of group-stage matches.
Q1. Another six games and another bunch of unreal performances across the three host cities, which player was the most impressive on matchday two?
Tan: While it was Li Qingtong who secured China’s 3-0 win over Uzbekistan with a second-half brace, I was particularly impressed by the performance of Shao Ziqin — who opened the scoring from the penalty spot. Having had to settle for a cameo appearance as a substitute in their opening win over Bangladesh, Shao was handed a starting berth on Friday and immediately offered the Steel Roses a genuine focal point in attack. Standing at 1.79 metres, Shao will tower over most opponents, but is not merely a physical presence but also has a keen eye for goal, having now taken her tally to nine goals in just 10 caps. She has all the necessary attributes for China to build an attack around for the next decade.
Lynch: I’m going to change the parameters of the question slightly and say the player that excited me the most across matchday two was North Korea’s Choe Il-Son, who came on as a 45th-minute substitute in her nation’s 5-0 win over Bangladesh. Choe, if you’re unaware, swept all before her in 2024, winning the Under-17 Asian Cup, Under-17 World Cup, Under-20 Asian Cup, and Under-20 World Cup on a collective level, as well as claiming the Under-20 World Cup’s Golden Ball and Golden Boot on an individual one. She followed that up in 2025 by being named the AFC’s women’s youth player of the year. So, yeah, a hell of a resume for a 19-year-old. Admittedly, an overmatched Bangladeshi outfit, who would have lost by much more were it not for the heroics of Mile Akter in goal, didn’t provide the stiffest first test of the tournament for Choe. But after she secured an assist for Kim Kyong-Yong‘s goal to make it 4-0, I’m really keen to see what the North Korea prodigy does in the games ahead.
Lordanic: Take your pick from Japan’s two hat trick scorers, who also logged an assist each. Nadeshiko were ruthless in their 11-0 demolition of India and the result was headlined by three goals each from Hinata Miyazawa and Riko Ueki. Miyazawa reminded everyone that she was the Golden Boot winner from the 2023 Women’s World Cup. While Ueki entered the game at half-time and had her hat trick wrapped up 20 minutes later. Her first, a deft volley guided into the goal by the outside of her boot, was brutal and beautiful.
Q2. AFC giants Australia, South Korea, North Korea, China, and Japan have booked their tickets to the knockouts. Of the rest of the field, which nation is best placed to also make it through to the next stage?
Lynch: After managing to doggedly hold out and escape with just a 1-0 defeat against Australia in their opening game, the Philippines ‘ 3-0 defeat against South Korea in the latest round of matches hasn’t been quite as catastrophic to their goal difference as it otherwise may have been — sitting third in Group A on -4. With a game against Iran, who, understandably, cannot be expected to bring their full attention to the fixture, the Filipinas are well positioned to record a comfortable win that would secure their progression to the quarterfinals as one of the two best-finishing third-placed sides.
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Tan: Vietnam’s shock 1-0 loss to Chinese Taipei has really thrown Group C wide open. It does mean that Chinese Taipei are now favourites to finish second behind Japan, barring any major upsets. Nonetheless, the fact that Vietnam are currently the only third-placed team with points already to their name, as well as a neutral goal difference, still leaves them in a decent position. As long as they avoid a heavy defeat to Japan in their final group-stage game, they should be marching on to the quarters.
Lordanic: Chinese Taipei can absolutely beat India and progress through to the knockouts but, taking the question literally, I do think the Philippines are the best-placed side. I understand but haven’t necessarily loved their approach to their first two games but they’ve put themselves in a great position to progress. How they fare in the knockouts is a different story. Uzbekistan may also have a sneaky chance at making it through if they can beat Bangladesh in a way that pumps up their goal difference, and get a helping hand from Japan against Vietnam.
Q3. Heading into the final games of the group stage, which game are you most excited to see?
Lynch: I’m really looking forward to seeing China and North Korea square off in their Group B deciding fixture: the defending champions — who have utilised every outfield player in their squad as part of a deliberate strategy by coach Ante Milicic across the opening two games — and a powerhouse returning to the international stage after a decade-and-a-half in the international wilderness. With the winner of the group avoiding either Australia or South Korea in the quarterfinals and instead likely facing off with a more manageable opponent in Vietnam or Chinese Taipei — the rewards for success are significant, too.
Tan: Japan vs. Vietnam will be one that I’ll be keeping a close eye on, especially given the fact the latter now potentially need to avoid too negative a result if they are to advance. Before the start of the tournament, I had a feeling Vietnam might be one of the teams that could potentially upset some of the heavyweights. They could now have no choice but to actually do so against the tournament favourites, who might perhaps be tempted to rest a few regular starters with their place in the last eight already secured.
Lordanic: Matchday three is always exciting as people try and wrap their brains around permutations and progression chances. Before a ball was kicked, Australia vs. South Korea was highlighted as a must-watch game, and the two nations have obliged by setting up a tantalising clash. The winner gets the glory of top spot and the benefit of staying put in Sydney for the rest of the tournament. While South Korea can get away with a draw thanks to their superior goal difference, an early Matildas goal might be the catalyst for plenty of attacking football.
