
AFC Women's Asian Cup
The last four ties promise to be sizzlers, with three former champions and the 2022 runners-up the only teams still in the running.
The first semi-final will see defending champions China PR meeting 2010 winners Australia at the Perth Stadium on Tuesday.
China PR, who won the India 2022 title in dramatic fashion and seeking to lift the trophy for an amazing 10th time, have impressed at Australia 2026.
They topped Group B with a perfect record of three wins and showed grit in the last eight showdown with DPR Korea, netting twice in extra-time to advance to the semi-finals for the 16th consecutive edition.
China PR, who won the India 2022 title in dramatic fashion and seeking to lift the trophy for an amazing 10th time, have impressed at Australia 2026.
They topped Group B with a perfect record of three wins and showed grit in the last eight showdown with DPR Korea, netting twice in extra-time to advance to the semi-finals for the 16th consecutive edition.
Australia, however, have also shown that they can cope with the pressure of playing at home.
The Matildas finished second in Group A, needing a stoppage time goal from Alanna Kennedy to salvage a 3-3 draw with Korea Republic, and were tested again in the quarter-finals by DPR Korea.
It was a challenge Australia passed with flying colours and they will be fully focused on going all the way after having fallen in the quarter-finals four years ago.
The Matildas finished second in Group A, needing a stoppage time goal from Alanna Kennedy to salvage a 3-3 draw with Korea Republic, and were tested again in the quarter-finals by DPR Korea.
It was a challenge Australia passed with flying colours and they will be fully focused on going all the way after having fallen in the quarter-finals four years ago.
So will Korea Republic, who were bitterly disappointed to finish as the runners-up four years ago after having taken a 2-0 lead in the final before succumbing 3-2 to China PR.
They have been impressive throughout, going within minutes of notching a famous win against Australia and thoroughly dominating their quarter-final against Uzbekistan as they strolled to a 6-0 win.
They have been impressive throughout, going within minutes of notching a famous win against Australia and thoroughly dominating their quarter-final against Uzbekistan as they strolled to a 6-0 win.
Standing in their way will be Japan, whose bid for a hat-trick of titles was ended by China PR in the semi-finals of the 2022 edition.
Nil Nielsen's side have also impressed and are the only semi-finalists with a perfect record, with their 7-0 defeat of Philippines their fourth consecutive clean sheet and they will be determined to not slip at the last four stage again.
While the title dreams of the four losing quarter-finalists are over, they are one win away from booking a ticket at the FIFA Women's World Cup Brazil 2027.
The playoffs, which will be played in Gold Coast on Thursday, will see Uzbekistan facing Philippines and Chinese Taipei meeting DPR Korea.
The Philippines are chasing a second consecutive appearance at the global showpiece while Uzbekistan are seeking to make their debut.
Chinese Taipei's only appearance at the global showpiece was in the inaugural edition in 1991 while the last of DPR Korea's four attempts to win the title was in 2011.
It will not be the end of the road for the sides who lose in the playoffs as they will still have a chance to qualify through the Inter-Confederation Playoff Tournament, which will offer an additional two tickets to the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027.
