Group B: Chinese Taipei 4-2 Malaysia

The East Asians were staring down the barrel of elimination at 1-0 down just before half time, but a converted penalty and three second half goals revived their quarter-final hopes.

Malaysia had started promisingly, but the Southeast Asians’ fate will be decided by the jeopardy of a winner-takes-all match against group leaders Vietnam on Sunday.

Knowing their place in the quarter-finals would be secure with a win, Malaysia made the all important breakthrough in the fifth minute when Siti Asnidah Zamri dispossessed Hsieh I-ling before taking a touch and slamming the ball past Li I-chieh for her second goal of the tournament.

While Addie Azwan’s side made a dream start, the rest of their first half was marred by a series of missed opportunities, particularly from counter-attacks.

Hanis missed a sitter seconds after her desperate launch denied Lin Ya-hui at the other end of the court, before Intan Sarah Anisah squandered two opportunities to double the Malaysian lead shortly thereafter.

They paid for their profligacy in the 18th minute, when Norhawa Yasin was shown a red card for handling Chen Ya-chun’s goal-bound effort, and when the 24-year-old stepped up to convert the spot kick, it was 1-1 and game on.

Malaysia had a golden chance to restore their lead when a heavy Chen Pin-hui challenge put Chinese Taipei in foul trouble seconds later, but Siti Nur Atiqah Rashid blasted high and wide from the second penalty mark and the sides remained level at half-time.