With just over two years to go until the tournament kicks off, Dave Beeche has been appointed as the new CEO of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 in Australia and New Zealand from 14 June this year and will lead the overall delivery of the tournament, together with the Chief Operating Officers, Jane Fernandez and Jane Patterson.

Speaking on his appointment, Beeche said: “I am honoured and excited to be given the opportunity to lead the delivery of such a significant tournament, especially at a time when there is so much focus globally on the development of women’s sport and, more broadly, the empowerment of women. I look forward to working with both member associations and the Host Cities to not only deliver an outstanding tournament that showcases the world-class talent in women’s football, but leave a lasting positive legacy for women’s sport.”

Wild surf and a freak leg-rope tangle on a protruding pipe saw Grant trapped underwater with no escape seemingly possible, only for the rope to unexpectedly free itself.

Wu Lei scored his side’s opener from the penalty spot before adding his team’s third while Wu Xi, Ai Kesen and Jin Jingdao were also on the scoresheet before A Lan added a late brace to move the Chinese into sole possession of second place in Group A.

With five straight losses, the Southeast Asians can no longer finish top two in a fascinating group which also features Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and United Arab Emirates. The disappointing results not only cost coach Simon McMenemy his job, but also dented the team's confidence.

The new boss in charge is none other than former Shin Tae-yong, who guided Korea Republic to a famous 2-0 defeat of world champions Germany at Russia 2018. With the memory of that amazing victory still fresh in mind, Dimas is hoping that Indonesia can produce similar heroics under Shin.

The Japanese also sealed their spot at the Finals of the AFC Asian Cup China 2023 as Group F winners with the victory, their sixth in a row in the current phase of qualifying, as Moriyasu’s side confirmed their progress to the next phase with two games remaining.

As fans prepare for the resumption of the second round of qualifying, the-AFC.com winds the clock back to campaigns of years gone by, which have thrown up some of the most memorable matches in Asian football history.

The Samurai Blue's position remained unchanged at 28th, and will be among the first teams to resume their campaign in the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 with Hajime Moriyasu's men to play Myanmar at the Fukuda Denshi Arena on Friday.