In the very early hours of Friday, June 26, members of Australia and New Zealand’s ‘As One’ bid team sat in silent anticipation at Football Federation Australia’s Sydney headquarters.

Silent anticipation became palpable tension as the wait went on, but it would soon be replaced with an outpouring of joy, thanks to a single sentence delivered half a world away by Gianni Infantino.

Australia’s new status as an automatic qualifier, coupled with the 2023 tournament’s expansion from 24 to 32 teams, means the race to reach the pinnacle of the women’s game has never been more open.

As attention shifts towards what promises to be a golden month of football in 2023, Asia’s emerging nations are embracing their best ever chance to reach the World Cup Finals, setting the stage for a key period in the development of the women’s game in Asia.

Joining the-AFC.com to discuss the road ahead are Philippines goalkeeper Inna Palacios, Vietnamese captain Huynh Nhu, and Bala Devi, who will be among India’s star players when they host the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in 2022.

More teams, revenue, fans

The FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 will be groundbreaking in more ways than one way. It will be the first with 32 teams, up from the 24 nations who competed at last year's Finals in France, won by the United States. That means more matches and more revenue to be ploughed back into women's football.

The sports-mad host nations are expecting 1.5 million spectators, which would be another record, while prize money is set to be most ever offered, reflecting the growth of the game.

It will be the first women's World Cup co-hosted by cooperating nations and the first to take place in the southern hemisphere.

The FIFA Council decided to award Australia/New Zealand hosting rights beating their South American rivals Colombia and Shaikh Salman declared it – "a great day for women’s football and another show of faith in Asia’s outstanding ability to host global events."

While Saki Kumagai’s winning penalty in a tense shootout sparked scenes of incredible joy in Frankfurt, those celebrating were just as quick to reflect on the thousands of lives lost just over three months earlier when a deadly earthquake and tsunami rocked the north-eastern coast of Japan.

In a second semi-final featuring 10 more Asian World Cup classics, this week’s selection features some of the continent’s all-time greats, all delivering moments of magic on the game’s biggest stage.

There are fabulous free-kicks, blistering breakaways and scorchers from distance, but which five goals will advance to next week’s final?

Cast your vote below from our list of nominees:

From scenes in Singapore to joy in Jakarta and incredible climaxes in Guwahati, Hisor and Al Wakrah, our latest edition shines the spotlight on the magical moments that help make the beautiful game the most watched sport in the world.

Also take a look at past editions that feature acrobatic goals, solo goals, volleys, long-range screamers and free-kicks.