Taiwan loss sets back World Cup hopesONE MORE CHANCE: While North Korea denied Taiwan in Australia, Taiwan, who last played in the World Cup in 1991, could still qualify via inter-confederation playoffsStaff writer, with AP, GOLD COAST, AustraliaTaiwan yesterday lost 4-0 to a dominant North Korea in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup playoffs, closing off an avenue to qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Hong Song-ok scored a hat-trick in the match to determine the last of the confederation’s qualifiers from the tournament for next year’s World Cup in Brazil. Uzbekistan have never been to a World Cup and Taiwan just once, back in 1991. North Korea officials in 2011 blamed traditional medicines based on deer glands for causing the squad’s five positive tests for steroids at the Women’s World Cup. Head coach Ri Song-ho’s young North Korea squad in Australia included players he guided to the Under-20 Women’s World Cup title in 2024.

Source: Taipei Times March 19, 2026 16:04 UTC