Fabiola Sandoval (R) of Paraguay vies with Chen Ying-Hui (C) of Chinese Taipei during a group C match between Chinese Taipei and Paraguay of play off tournament for the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton, New Zealand, Feb. 19, 2023. (Xinhua/Guo Lei)
AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Taipei lost to Paraguay on penalties and Panama won over Papua New Guinea on Sunday, the third day of the Play-off Tournament of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 in New Zealand.
In the Group C match held in Hamilton on Sunday, Chinese Taipei led 2-0 for 75 minutes, but a resilient Paraguay side leveled 2-2 and claimed the eventual victory 4-2 through penalty shootout.
Also in Group C, Panama beat Papua New Guinea 2-0 in Auckland.
Paraguay and Panama will play each other on Thursday to vie for a ticket to the Women's World Cup finals in Australia and New Zealand.
The ten participating teams in the Play-off Tournament are divided into three groups, with Group A including Portugal, Cameroon and Thailand; Group B including Chile, Senegal and Haiti; and Group C including Papua New Guinea, Panama, Paraguay and Chinese Taipei.
The winner of each group will earn a spot in the Women's World Cup finals. On Wednesday, Cameroon will play Portugal in the Group A final, while Chile will take on Haiti in Group B.
It is the first time in FIFA's history that a Play-off Tournament is held as qualifiers for the Women's World Cup. The tournament is hosted from February 17 to 23 in Auckland and Hamilton. ■
Jessica Martinez (R) of Paraguay vies with Chen Ying-Hui of Chinese Taipei during a group C match between Chinese Taipei and Paraguay of play off tournament for the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton, New Zealand, Feb. 19, 2023. (Xinhua/Guo Lei)
Pao Hsin-Hsuan (C) of Chinese Taipei competes during a group C match between Chinese Taipei and Paraguay of play off tournament for the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton, New Zealand, Feb. 19, 2023. (Xinhua/Guo Lei)
Players of both sides react after the penalty shoot-out during a group C match between Chinese Taipei and Paraguay of play off tournament for the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton, New Zealand, Feb. 19, 2023. (Xinhua/Guo Lei)
Players of Paraguay react after winning the penalty shoot-out during a group C match between Chinese Taipei and Paraguay of play off tournament for the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton, New Zealand, Feb. 19, 2023. (Xinhua/Guo Lei)
Camila Arrieta (R) of Paraguay vies with Chen Yen-Ping of Chinese Taipei during a group C match between Chinese Taipei and Paraguay of play off tournament for the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton, New Zealand, Feb. 19, 2023. (Xinhua/Guo Lei)
Jessica Martinez (R) of Paraguay controls the ball during a group C match between Chinese Taipei and Paraguay of play off tournament for the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton, New Zealand, Feb. 19, 2023. (Xinhua/Guo Lei)
Tsai Ming-Jung (R), goalkeeper of Chinese Taipei, makes a save during a group C match between Chinese Taipei and Paraguay of play off tournament for the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton, New Zealand, Feb. 19, 2023. (Xinhua/Guo Lei)
Players of Paraguay celebrate after scoring during a group C match between Chinese Taipei and Paraguay of play off tournament for the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton, New Zealand, Feb. 19, 2023. (Xinhua/Guo Lei)
Fany Gauto (top) of Paraguay vies for the ball during a group C match between Chinese Taipei and Paraguay of play off tournament for the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton, New Zealand, Feb. 19, 2023. (Xinhua/Guo Lei)
Tsai Ming-Jung (C), goalkeeper of Chinese Taipei, makes a save during a group C match between Chinese Taipei and Paraguay of play off tournament for the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton, New Zealand, Feb. 19, 2023. (Xinhua/Guo Lei)
Players of Paraguay celebrate after scoring during a group C match between Chinese Taipei and Paraguay of play off tournament for the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton, New Zealand, Feb. 19, 2023. (Xinhua/Guo Lei)
