Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Tokyo: Reigning AFC Women’s Asian Cup champions Japan will take an imposing squad to their final hit out before the 2018 edition, naming an experienced 23-strong playing list for the Algarve Cup in Portugal
The 2017 AFC Women’s Player of the Year nominee Saki Kumagai headlines the squad, with the Olympique Lyonnais star joining US-based defensive veteran Rumi Utsugi, German-based forward Kumi Yokoyama and Real Betis goalkeeper Erina Yamane as foreign based talent in Asako Takakura’s team.
Nadeshiko League club NTV Beleza provide the most players, with no less than seven players currently on the books of the Japanese champions, including in-form striker Mia Tanaka, who scored in two of Japan’s three matches at December’s EAFF E-1 Championship.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Seoul: Korea Republic’s all-time top scorer Ji So-yun will return to the Korea Republic squad for the final competitive hit-out before April’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup after manager Yoon Duk-yeo named a 23-strong squad for the Portugal-based Algarve Cup.
The Chelsea star returns after missing December’s EAFF E-1 Championship, where the Koreans lost all three matches, and will be joined by 2017 Korean Women’s Player of the Year and recent INAC Kobe Leonessa signee Lee Min-a.
Lee’s new clubmate Choi Ye-seul and Jeon Ga-eul – who has been playing for Melbourne Victory in Australia’s W-League championship – are the other foreign-based representatives, with the remaining players plying their trade on home soil.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Amman: Jordan completed their two-game series against Afghanistan with a 6-0 win thanks to standout performances from three key players at Petra Stadium on Monday.
Doubles to Shahnaz Jebreen, Maysa Jbarah and substitute Mai Sweilem ensured the 2018 AFC Women’s Asian Cup hosts earned a resounding win to follow their five-goal triumph at the same venue on Friday.
For the second successive match, 106th-ranked Afghanistan fell behind to an early Jebreen goal – this time in the 13th minute – before the attacking midfielder made it 2-0 in the 36th minute.
Maysa Jbarah continued her outstanding form in front of goal to make it 3-0 a minute later, and added a fourth shortly after half-time before being replaced by Sweilem.
Sweilem, 22, made sure Jordan didn’t miss a beat in the absence of their striker, helping herself to a double, to make it three goals in two matches this week.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Foshan: China PR completed a perfect week, beating Colombia 2-0 to lift the trophy, while Thailand claimed bragging rights against neighbours Vietnam as the curtains came down on the CFA Four Nations Tournament in Guangdong Province.
CHINA PR 2 (Wang Shuang 39’, Ren Guixin 63’)
COLOMBIA 0
A delightful free-kick from the brilliant Wang Shuang, and a Ren Guixin tap-in, helped Siggi Eyjolfsson to his first piece of silverware as China PR head coach, as the eight-time Asian champions proved too strong for Colombia.
The Steel Roses took charge from the off, testing Colombian goalkeeper Sandra Sepulveda on a number of occasions before Wang rattled the crossbar with a free-kick in the 19th minute.
It was another Wang free-kick that broke the deadlock, when the star midfielder curled the ball beyond the motionless Sepulveda and into the net with her left foot from 20 metres just prior to half-time.