Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Since the retirement of the golden generation following the highs of the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup, China PR have at times struggled to rebuild over the past decade and a half.
A series of established coaches from both home and abroad have come and gone seeking a magic formula with the managerial baton now passed to Jia Xiuquan, who is tasked with reviving the Steel Roses’ former glory.
A former Chinese international, Jia is among the country's most successful home-grown managers having coached several top-division clubs as well as national youth teams. While the appointment came from left-field, with the role being his first in charge of a women's team, Jia sounded primed about the task at hand when speaking to FIFA.com.
"As a former soldier, it is my duties to take orders," said the 54-year-old who spent his early playing years with China's military club Bayi. "And as a former professional player and now a coach, I have been a beneficiary of China's football development. So I will never turn my back when I am needed."
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/china_pr_-_2018_asian_games_womens_football_silver_medal_1.html
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Sydney: The Matildas’ line-up of international friendly matches continues to grow with confirmation that Alen Stajcic’s team will play England in London on October 9.
Australia’s friendly match against the Phil Neville coached Lionesses at Craven Cottage, the home of Fulham FC, will occur just four days after the Matildas take on France’s senior women’s national football team in Saint-Etienne.
Moreover, the high-profile friendly fixture comes just a month before the team will return to home soil to take on Chile in the two-match “Seven Consulting International Series” at Panthers Stadium, Penrith (November 10) and McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle (November 13), which was announced earlier on Tuesday.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Palembang: Substitute Yuika Sugasawa’s 90th minute goal secured Japan the 2018 Asian Games Indonesia women’s football tournament gold medal, beating China PR 1-0 in the final on Friday.
Korea Republic clinched the bronze medal after cruising to a 4-0 win over Chinese Taipei in the play-off at the Gelora Sriwijaya Stadium.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: After a busy month of international action, the-AFC.com assesses the trajectory of Asia's successful 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France qualifiers, and looks at what lies ahead before next year's Finals.
Japan
Three months after retaining their status as Asian Champions, Japan showed they have a long way to go before they again reach the top of the world, and Asako Takakura was frustrated to lose all three matches in a Tournament of Nations campaign the coach described as 'miserable'.
The Nadeshiko struggled defensively without regular captain and Best FIFA Women's Player Nominee Saki Kumagai, but the tournament did allow Takakura to introduce a number of new faces as she continues to search for the perfect combination.