The first three qualifiers for the 1999 Women’s World Championship will be determined this weekend in the finals of the Asian Cup in Guangzhou, China. The opening round of group play concluded Dec. 9, with Japan, China and Chinese Taipei winning their groups to advance to the semfinals this weekend. North Korea also advanced as the best runner-up. The semifinals will take place Dec. 12, with the two winners advancing to the Asian Cup final and qualifying for USA ’99. The semifinal losers will meet in a playoff on Dec. 14, with the winner also advancing to USA ’99.
First Round
Group A
Dec. 5 in Panyu India 5 Hong Kong 0 Japan 21 Guam 0
Dec. 7 in Panyu Japan 1 India 0 Hong Kong 1 Guam 0
Dec. 9 in Panyu India 10 Guam 0 Japan 9 Hong Kong 0
FINAL STANDINGS | |
| *Japan | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 0 | 9 |
| India | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 13 | 1 | 6 |
| Hong Kong | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 12 | 3 |
| Guam | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 32 | 0 |
*-advances to semifinals
Group B
Dec. 5 in Guangdong Uzbekistan 2 Philippines 1 China 3 North Korea 1
Dec. 7 in Guangdong North Korea 14 Philippines 1 China 8 Uzbekistan 0
Dec. 9 in Guangdong North Korea 8 Uzbekistan 0 China 16 Philippines 0
FINAL STANDINGS | |
| *China | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 1 | 9 |
| *North Korea | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 23 | 4 | 6 |
| Uzbekistan | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 17 | 3 |
| Philippines | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 32 | 0 |
*-advances to semifinals
Group C
Dec. 5 in Zhaoqing Chinese Taipei 1 South Korea 0
Dec. 7 in Zhaoqing South Korea 11 Kazakhstan 0
Dec. 9 in Zhaoqing Chinese Taipei 6 Kazakhstan 0
FINAL STANDINGS | |
| *Chinese Taipei | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 6 |
| South Korea | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 1 | 3 |
| Kazakhstan | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 17 | 0 |
*-advances to semifinals
Semifinals
Dec. 12 in Guangdong Japan vs. North Korea China vs. Chinese Taipei (winners play for Asian Cup title Dec. 14 and advance to USA ’99; losers meet in consolation match Dec. 14 with winner advancing to USA ’99.)
