Chinese Taipei began brightly with Chen Min-huang hitting the post from distance in the fifth minute, which was followed by a Su Hui-chi effort that was pushed away by Macau keeper Kong Iok Ian.

Macau’s resistance was broken in the seventh minute with Lu Ching-wen sending her rasping a shot into the bottom corner.

Chinese Taipei doubled their lead a minute later after Kong could only palm Chen Ya-chun’s free-kick into the path of Liu Chih-ling, who slammed home the rebound.

Continuing to pile on the pressure, Chinese Taipei further increased their advantage in the 11th minute when Hui-chi’s powerfully struck shot from the right went in despite the best efforts of Kong.

Chinese Taipei added another two goals through Hui-chi and Min-huang in the 12th minute to take a comfortable 5-0 lead at the break.

Chinese Taipei remained in control after the break with Ya-chun showing clinical finishing with a left-footed strike in the 22nd minute, then with her right a minute later when Ho Chia-chen set her up from a free-kick.

Chinese Taipei were relentless with Min-huang (25th, 30th), Hui-chi (26th, 29th), Chia-chen (28th), Liu Wen-ling (28th, 33rd, 34th), Chang Chi (34th), Ching-wen (36th) and an own goal from Un Pui Kei (29th) adding to the emphatic win.

Next up for Chinese Taipei are Myanmar while Macau will face Vietnam, with both matches to be played on Friday.

ASEAN champions Vietnam needed only three minutes to find the breakthrough as Tran Thi Thuy Trang’s corner kick picked out K’ Thua, who struck the ball sweetly into the bottom corner.

Vietnam doubled their lead in the ninth minute with a poacher’s goal from Nguyen Phuong Anh who tapped home from close range after Bui Thi Trang’s shot had deflected off Myanmar goalkeeper Chaw Sandi Aung.

It was 3-0 in the 12th minute as Tran Thi Thu Xuan expertly rolled her marker before firing a shot home, however, Myanmar pulled one back seconds later as Ya Min Thant Zin took advantage of a fortuitous bounce to lift the ball over Vietnam custodian Ngo Nguyen Thuy Linh.

Vietnam reestablished their three-goal advantage two minutes later when captain Trinh Nguyen Thanh Hang produced the perfect pass for Phuong Anh to finish at the far post to take her side into the break in front. 

The second half saw a more balanced contest with both sides squandering chances until a quick break in the 34th minute saw K’ Thua exchanging passes with Bien Thi Thang before side-footing home to seal Vietnam’s win.