Australia vs China, AFC Women's Asian Cup, Today Match Prediction

Australia vs China Match Prediction & Analysis

The first semifinal of the AFC Women's Asian Cup will take place on Tuesday (3:30 PM IST) in Perth, where hosts Australia face reigning champions China. 

Both sides arrive unbeaten in the tournament, though they had to battle hard in their quarterfinals to secure a place in the last four. With two evenly matched teams, this semifinal promises to be a thrilling and closely fought contest. 

Head-to-head Record: In the two matches played between the teams, China holds the slight edge, having won one and drawn the other. 

TEAMS PREVIEW

Australia Preview

As hosts of the AFC Women's Asian Cup, the Australia women's national soccer team have carried significant pressure, especially with no host nation winning the tournament in the last 30 years. 

The Matildas have already been tested, first by South Korea women's national football team in the group stage and then by North Korea women's national football team in the quarterfinals. 

Against North Korea, goals from Alanna Kennedy and Sam Kerr gave Australia the lead, but they spent much of the game under pressure, facing 21 shots and holding just 38% possession. 

Goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold was the standout performer with nine crucial saves, a display that could prove vital again in the semifinals. 

In the meantime, Australia have a couple of fitness concerns ahead of the semifinal, with Hayley Raso missing the last two matches due to concussion and Steph Catley sitting out the previous game. Their availability in the semifinals remains uncertain. 

Australia  Probable Starting Lineup - Mackenzie Arnold (GK) ; Ellie Carpenter  Clare Hunt, Winonah Heatley, Kaitlyn Torpey, Alanna Kennedy, Emily Egmond, Katrina Gorry, Mary Fowler, Caitlin Foord, Sam Kerr.  

China Preview

For the defending champions, the road to the semifinals has been anything but straightforward, especially given how their last two matches unfolded. 

In many ways, though, those tough encounters may have hardened the Steel Roses for the challenges ahead. 

They first showed resilience against DPR Korea, coming from a goal down to claim victory, before enduring a mentally and physically draining quarterfinal against Chinese Taipei.

That contest stretched the full 120 minutes, with Taipei holding them goalless in regulation time. The breakthrough finally arrived in extra time through Shao Ziqin, before a late own goal sealed the result. 

However, the victory came at a price, as star attacker Wang Shuang — who assisted the opening goal and has already scored twice in the tournament — picked up yet another yellow card and is out of the semifinal due to suspension.

China Probable Starting Lineup - Peng Shimeng (GK); Li Mengwen, Wu Haiyan, Wang Linlin, Chen Qiaozhu, Wu Chengshu, Zhang Rui, Yao Wei , Zhang Xin, Wurigumula, Shao Ziqin. 

AUSTRALIA vs CHINA
Winning Prediction

For a team with the most titles in the competition’s history, the path to another final suddenly looks tougher with talisman Wang Shuang ruled out of the semifinals. China still possess quality across the squad, but much of their creative  spark has revolved around her, making her absence a significant blow.

They do, however, take some comfort from the fact that the Matildas have never beaten them in the Asian Cup. For the hosts, the key will be handling the pressure that comes with playing at home. So far they have managed it well, and if they continue to do so, a place in the final is well within reach. 

Meanwhile, the odds  favour the hosts , with one of the sites backing them at 1.83, while China’s is priced at 3.50 and a draw at 3.60.  

Australia to win (1-0)

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