Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Amman: With just four days remaining until Jordan’s historic opening-match at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2018, a new generation of youngsters are set to prove themselves on the continent’s biggest stage.
After a marathon preparation which has included matches and training camps throughout Asia, Europe and the United States, the host nation will begin their AFC Women’s Asian Cup campaign against the Philippines on Friday.
Since his appointment just under a year ago, head coach Michael Dickey has built on the lessons gathered at Jordan’s previous trip to the finals in 2014 to develop a strong squad with a finely-balanced mix of youth and experience.
The established attacking triumvirate of Maysa Jbarah, Stephanie Al-Naber and Shahnaz Jebreen contributed a staggering 28 goals in Jordan’s five qualifying matches, and remains key, but a cast of talented young players has also emerged.
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.
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
Hanoi: Vietnam have raised eyebrows in recent years thanks to a number of milestones achievements. It all began two years ago when they defied all odds to book qualification to the 2016 FIFA Futsal World Cup in Colombia – the nation’s first FIFA tournament.
Next came another maiden qualification, this time for the FIFA U-20 World Cup Korea Republic 2017. And their U-23 side began 2018 with a bang, sweeping past the likes of Australia and Iraq en route to the final of the AFC U23 Championship China 2018.
Now the country's women team has the opportunity to create their own milestone moment. A top-five finish at next week’s AFC Women's Asian Cup Jordan 2018 will see the team win through their first ever FIFA Women's World Cup.
"I do hope our team will qualify," Mai Duc Chung, head coach of Vietnam, told FIFA.com. "We enter the qualifying competition motivated, and we hope we can go further."
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Nagasaki: Reigning champions Japan completed their AFC Women’s Asian Cup preparations with thumping home win, racking up a 7-1 scoreline against 46th ranked Ghana at the Nagasaki Athletic Stadium on Sunday.
Ghana provided some early resistance, before the hosts took control with seven different players finding the net in the win; the Nadeshiko’s biggest since a 9-0 success against Hong Kong in September 2014.
In their first home match in 2018 Japan were expected to prevail, and Mina Tanaka gave Asako Takakura’s side the lead in the 14th minute, before talented striker Jane Ayieyam brought the Africans level 10 minutes later.
Ghanaian goalkeeper Patricia Mantey kept her side in the contest with a series of fine saves, but Mana Iwabuchi put Japan back in front in the 29th minute to take her tally to three goals in her last five matches.
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.