Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Sydney: The Matildas have locked in one of several international friendly matches in 2019 in the lead up to the FIFA Women’s World Cup in France.
Alen Stajcic’s charges will return to the United States of America (USA) in April 2019 for an international friendly against hosts USA at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado.
Australia and the USA – who will both feature at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France – have played 28 international matches since their first meeting in 1987, and last met at this year’s Tournament of Nations at Pratt & Whitney Stadium in Connecticut in July.
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/australia-usa_-_tournament_of_nations_2018.html
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Once the standard bearers in Asian women's football, China PR are looking to return to the summit of the global game. With the FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019 draw just two days away, the-AFC.com profiles Jia Xiuquan's side.
Semi-finalists in 1995, and runners-up four years later, China PR were once among the teams to avoid in a Women's World Cup draw, but the Steel Roses are now considered to be among the global game's second-tier nations.
But, while progression beyond the quarter-finals has eluded the national team since 1999, the current generation of Chinese players have shown signs of genuine improvement, particularly since the arrival of Jia as head coach in May.
A breakout star and creative force in AFC Women's Player of the Year Wang Shuang, a miserly defence which has conceded just twice in 12 matches since August, and consistent goals from Wang Shanshan and Li Ying have all contributed to a steady rise in form and confidence.
Their current world ranking of 15th may suggest otherwise, but China PR remains a team many should hope to steer clear of when the draw is made on Saturday.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: As the countdown to Saturday's FIFA Women's World Cup official draw continues, the-AFC.com profiles Asia's highest-ranked nation - Australia.
For the first time in their history, sixth-ranked Australia are expecting to be among the seeded teams when the official draw pots are revealed on Friday, with Alen Stajcic's charges hoping they can avoid the type of 'group of death' they have endured in a number of recent major tournaments.
Their rise to become one of the world's top half-dozen sides has included memorable scalps - none more so than the historic 2017 win over defending World Champions the United States - and has seen Sam Kerr emerge as one of the world's best players.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: With just four days remaining until the official draw ceremony for next year's FIFA Women's World Cup in France, the-AFC.com shines the spotlight on Thailand, who return to the global stage after a memorable 2015 debut.
The Chaba Kaew experienced a mixed bag in Canada three years ago, enduring heavy defeats to former world champions Germany and Norway before earning a historic maiden World Cup win against Ivory Coast, and their recent fortunes suggest they remain a team capable of the good, bad and ugly.
At the heart of head coach Nuengrutai Srathongvian's outfit is an experienced core featuring the likes of Sunisa Srangthaisong, Kanjana Sung-Ngoen and Duangnapa Sritala, but the AFC Women's Asian Cup provided the platform for a number of younger players to emerge.
US-raised 21-year-old Suchawadee Nildhamrong adds the ability to hold the ball up and bring teammates into the game as a central striker, while Silawan Intamee, 24, produced a series of strong displays in midfield in 2018.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Five referees and eight assistant referees from Asia will represent the Continent as match officials in the upcoming FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019, following FIFA's announcement on Monday.
Referees
Kate Jacewicz (Australia), Casey Reibelt (Australia), Qin Liang (China PR), Yoshimi Yamashita (Japan) and Ri Hyang-ok (DPR Korea)
Assistant Referees
Cui Yong Mei (China PR), Fang Yan (China PR), Hong Kum-nyo (DPR Korea), Makoto Bazono (Japan), Maiko Hagio (Japan), Naomi Teshirogi (Japan), Kim Kyoung-min (Korea Republic) and Lee Seul-gi (Korea Republic)
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Paris: Hopes of an Asian winner of the first ever Ballon d'Or Féminin have ended unfulfilled, after Australia's Sam Kerr and Japan's Saki Kumagai were overlooked for the trophy, awarded by the France Football magazine.
Norway star and Kumagai's Olympique Lyonnais teammate Ada Hegerberg won the award with 136 points at a ceremony in Paris, finishing ahead of Denmark's Pernille Harder (131) and Dzsenifer Marozsan (86) of Germany.
A wonderful season for club and country saw Kerr voted as the world's fifth best player with 61 points, while Nadeshiko captain Kumagai finished 12th in the overall standings with 25 points.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: With Saturday's FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019 official draw firmly on the horizon, the-AFC.com profiles the five Asian competitors for next year's football extravaganza, starting with Korea Republic.
Having earned their first ever FIFA Women's World Cup win en route to a maiden knockout stage appearance in Canada three years ago, Korea Republic have now qualified for successive World Cups for the first time.
They will return to the global stage with a relative wealth of experience. The nine most capped players in the team's history are all still active, and team leaders like Cho So-hyun and Ji So-yun have broken the 100-game barrier despite being aged just 30 and 27 respectively.
Cho and Ji are the team's key duo, but Lee Min-a - the 2017 Korean Player of the Year now plying her trade in Japan - also enjoyed a terrific AFC Women's Asian Cup Jordan 2018, contributing three memorable goals.