Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Manila: The AFC Women's Asian Cup Jordan 2018 promises to be a cracker with the Continent's top eight teams battling for supremacy, with which will come a brand new trophy.
Join the-AFC.com as we count down to Friday's kick-off with an in-depth look at the eight teams, starting with the Philippines.
Back in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup for the first time since 2003, the Philippines will be looking to advance beyond the group stage, a feat never achieved before, and seal a spot at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The Southeast Asians booked their place at the tournament after finishing second in their qualifying group behind Jordan, who were already guaranteed a place as hosts.
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/rabah_benlarbi_-philippines.html
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Seoul: Regular participants in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, Korea Republic have reached the semi-finals four times over the years, but have yet to appear in the final.
Set to take part in their 12th successive continental competition, the East Asians booked their place after edging past neighbours DPR Korea in the qualification campaign in Pyongyang.
After running out 10-0 winners over India in their opening game, Jang Sel-gi scored what would eventually prove to be a crucial equaliser to earn a 1-1 draw with hosts DPR Korea.
Korea Republic then saw off Hong Kong 6-0 and Uzbekistan 4-0 to finish on top of the group by virtue of goal difference to confirm their passage to Jordan.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Nagasaki: 25 years after leading the competition’s scoring charts, Nadeshiko great Asako Takakura is aiming to continue her run of major tournament triumphs and guide Japan to a second successive AFC Women’s Asian Cup title.
Long before Japan became a global power of the women’s game, Asako Takakura established herself as one of it’s stars
After making her national team debut at the age 16, the Fukushima-native enjoyed stellar playing career, which included 79 international caps, 29 goals and two Nadeshiko League MVP awards at club level.
A coaching career beckoned and, starting in 2013, Takakura won the AFC U-16 Women’s Championship, FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup and AFC U-19 Women’s Championship in successive years.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Manila: Football fever has hit the Philippines. In a week where the men’s national team ended their AFC Asian Cup qualification drought, their female counterparts are gearing up for a return to the top tier of the Asian women’s game at Jordan 2018.
The Malditas were in attendance when the Azkals defeated Tajikistan to secure their place at AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 this week, in a match that will have brought back positive memories of last April’s breakthrough qualification in Dushanbe, which ended a 15-year AFC Women’s Asian Cup absence.
Since the triumph in Tajikistan, the squad has undergone a transformation, with a significant complement of US-based players of Filipino heritage joining the team in recent months.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Perth: In an all-conquering 2017, Sam Kerr’s phenomenal scoring streak made her a global star of the women’s game. Now, as revealed in an exclusive interview with the-AFC.com, the AFC Women’s Player of the Year has Jordan 2018 in her sights.
When Australia lined up to meet continental rivals Japan at the US-based Tournament of Nations last July, Sam Kerr took the field with a career tally of eight international goals since making her debut in 2009.
Kerr would go on to score a hat-trick that afternoon, marking the beginning of a record-breaking run in which she amassed 12 goals in her next seven international matches, in addition to dominant domestic performances in both the US and Australia.
With the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in her focus, Kerr spoke to the-AFC.com about her amazing rise, scoring in the final as teenager in 2010 and being drawn against mighty Japan in Group B.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Group A of the AFC Women's Asian Cup Jordan 2018 promises to be a highly competitive affair.
Headlined by host nation Jordan, Group A also features eight-time winners China, Southeast Asian champions Thailand and the Philippines, who are returning the Asia’s elite women’s football championship for the first time since 2003.
The return of China PR goalkeeper Zhao Lina is the standout detail of today’s announcements, after the star custodian had announced her international retirement following January’s Four Nations Tournament.
Elsewhere, Philippines boss Rabah Benlarbi has selected a vastly different squad than the one which represented the Malditas in the qualifiers. The final playing list features a strong representation of US-based players, including six who currently play their football in the American college system.
AFC Women’s Asian Cup squads are entitled to replace any player up until six hours before their opening match.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Group B at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Jordan 2018 is blessed with some of the biggest names in the Asian game.
2017 AFC Women’s Player of the Year Sam Kerr headlines Alen Stajcic’s star-studded Australian team, while Japan, Korea Republic and Vietnam can all boast continental stars of their own in a group that promises to deliver memorable matches.
While Kerr’s dominant year at club and international level has made global headlines, the forward is just one of many weapons in a Matildas squad full of talent, depth and major tournament experience.
Reigning champions Japan will arrive in Amman with a mix of youth and experience. The veteran quartet of Saki Kumagai, Aya Sameshima, Rumi Utsugi and Mizuho Sakaguchi have collectively amassed 400 international caps, while forwards Kumi Yokoyama and Mina Tanaka will look to leave their mark on a major tournament for the Nadeshiko.
Korea Republic’s world class midfielder Ji So-yun is ably supported by Lee Min-a and captain Cho So-hyun, while Vietnam will look to the goals of talented striker Huynh Nhu as they aim for the first ever AFC Women’s Asian semi-final appearance.
AFC Women’s Asian Cup squads are entitled to replace any player up until six hours before their opening match.