Melbourne City got off to a bright start when Alexia Apostolakis’s fourth minute corner kick took a bounce across the face of goal with Mariana Speckmaier steering Taylor Otto’s flick at the near post into the back of the net.

The Australian side continued to dominate possession against a defensive Taichung Blue Whale and came close to scoring again at the half-hour mark, with Holly McNamara forcing a brilliant save from keeper Tsai Ming-Jung.

Taichung Blue Whale had their first look on goal in the 39th minute with Maho Tanaka shooting from distance into the path of Melbourne City custodian Malena Garcia.

Melbourne City’s high pressing game led to their second goal in the 44th minute after Rhianna Pollicina played the ball deep for McNamara, whose low cross from the left flank was deflected into the back of the net by the unfortunate Li Pei-Jung.

Chasing a two-goal deficit, Taichung Blue Whale ventured forward in the second half but their plan back-fired when Tsai conceded a penalty in the 63rd minute after bringing down McNamara, who made no mistake from the spot.

Taichung Blue Whale conceded another penalty in the 78th minute after substitute Emilia Murray pounced on a poor backpass from Lin Yu-Syuan before being felled by Tsai. The Chinese Taipei keeper, however, went the right way to deny Leticia McKenna from the spot.

Tanaka came close to scoring for Taichung Blue Whale in the 82nd minute after the midfielder weaved into the box before striking a powerful shot, which was initially fumbled by Garcia, before the custodian recovered to gather the ball on the line as Melbourne saw out the remaining minutes comfortably.