Initially struggling against a more experienced Taipei side, Paraguay grew into the game and, just when it looked lost at 2-0, they hit their opposition for a quick-fire double to restore parity, with Dulce Quintana playing a starring role. With intelligent play, La Albirroja found their footing well and seemed unfazed by the chaotic nature of the game, refusing to give up to the point of seeing out extra time with only 10 players on their pitch due to injury.
A long way from being an established power in CONMEBOL, Paraguay (like Senegal in Group A) have shown their intent and ability throughout qualifying and could yet become as a key player in the region. However, for their final, the squad will have to recover from the two hours and 20 minutes (including stoppage time) they played on Sunday afternoon and any lingering fatigue could be costly in their pursuit of a World Cup berth.
Although historically a strong team in their region, Chinese Taipei have often dwarfed been by the other nations at the top end of Asian qualifying in recent years, reduced to fodder for the likes of Japan and Australia. However, the first 78 minutes of their semifinal showed some of the best they have to offer — just like completely losing control of the game after going 2-0 up showed some of their worst. Yet, their grit all the way to spot-kicks bodes well for the future.
Like so many of the teams in these intercontinental playoffs, it feels very much like Chinese Taipei aren’t going to concede the ground they made in their attempts to reach the World Cup.
Papua New Guinea 0-2 Panama: Canaleras ease into final
Despite having a narrow advantage over their opposition in the rankings, the challenge for Papua New Guinea was always going to be a tough one and with so much recent upheaval off of the pitch, there is certainly an argument to be made that fans didn’t get to see the best prepared side. However, they were clearly second-best against Panama, failing to carry much of an attacking threat. In a sense, it felt like the game was all but lost once Panamanian midfielder Marta Cox opened the scoring after just 12 minutes.
Not the most flamboyant team in CONCACAF, Panama still managed to display some flair in New Zealand, dominating the possession from the get-go and scoring two stylish goals along the way. Although the Canaleras didn’t have to be at their best against their struggling opposition, they put in a confident 90-minute performance to rubber-stamp their quality.
As ever in play-off group C, there is an unpredictability in the air over the final, with it hard to call an early winner. That said, with 50 fewer minutes in Panama’s legs, there may only be one winner if they can start quickly.
Up next: Paraguay vs. Panama, Feb. 23 – winner joins France, Jamaica and Brazil in Group F of the World Cup
