Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Sydney: Australia's final phase of preparations for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup will see the Matildas uitlising the same elite training base their male counterparts did prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Ante Milicic’s squad will arrive in Antalya, Turkey from May 19, and will spend 10 days on Turkey’s south coast with access to leading high-performance training, sports science, and recovery facilities.
Milicic was part of the Socceroos coaching staff when Australia first utilised the region’s first-class facilities and warm climate to prepare for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
After taking charge of Australia’s senior women’s side, Milicic and Football Federation Australia (FFA) considered a range of pre-camp destinations, however have now settled on one of Turkey’s top training centres ahead of the Matildas’ France foray.
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/ante_milicic_2_2.html
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Melbourne: Australia claimed their first piece of silverware for 2019 after defeating Argentina 3-0 to lift the inaugural Cup of Nations title, while Korea Republic beat New Zealand 2-0 to finish second on Wednesday.
AUSTRALIA 3-0 ARGENTINA
Australia made it three wins in three matches in 2019, scoring twice in the opening 33 minutes on the way to a straight-forward victory at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.
Having come into the match with one hand on the trophy, Australia completed the job with a minimum of fuss, with Sam Kerr and Alanna Kennedy both punishing slack set-piece defending to score first half goals, before Caitlin Foord added a third from the penalty spot late on.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Sydney: Australian goal machine Sam Kerr will lead her nation at this year's FIFA Women's World Cup, after being named Matildas captain by new head coach Ante Milicic on Wednesday.
In one of his first major decisions as boss, Milicic selected Kerr as captain and defender Steph Catley as vice-captain on the eve of the Cup of Nations tournament, which begins in Sydney on Thursday.
The shift to a permanent captain and vice-captain is in contrast to Australia's approach in recent years, where the role has been shared among a number senior players, with a different player wearing the armband in each of the side's five matches at last April's AFC Women's Asian Cup in Jordan.
Kerr's selection comes after a stunning two years for club and country, which have seen her become one of the world's brightest attacking stars, earning a litany of individual accolades, including AFC Women's Player of the Year in 2017.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Ante Milicic is set to lead Australia into their first assignment since being appointed head coach of the Matildas.
The upcoming Australia-hosted Cup of Nations featuring Argentina, Korea Republic and New Zealand will be Milicic's immediate challenge with the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France in June his major test in his first senior appointment.
It is a challenge the former Australia U-19 head coach is relishing, thanks to his vast experience of having coached at different levels.
The former striker shares his thoughts and plans with the-AFC.com.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Albufeira: China PR and Thailand rounded out a busy week on the road to FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019 with placement match defeats, while DPR Korea earned silverware with a dramatic penalty shootout win against Italy in the Cyprus Women's Cup Final on Wednesday.
ALGARVE CUP
CHINA PR 1 NETHERLANDS 1 (NED won 4-2 on penalties)
China PR rounded out a difficult week in Portugal with a penalty shootout defeat after a 1-1 draw against the Netherlands to finish 12th out of 12 teams at the Algarve Cup in Portugal.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Tampa: A youthful Japan's hopes of winning the SheBelieves Cup were dashed in a 3-0 defeat to an inspired England on the final day of the tournament in the United States.
First half goals from Lucy Staniforth, Karen Carney and Beth Mead took the game away from the Nadeshiko, and ensured Phil Neville's side - with an insurmountable seven points from three matches - became champions at the fourth attempt.
England's win is of particular interest given the two sides will meet the FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019 group stage, although Japan's line-up in that match is expected to be differ significantly to the one on show in Tampa, which included six starters with less than five international caps.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: In just 100 days, FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019 will provide players from Asia's five best national teams the opportunity to write their names in football's history books.
Japan, Australia, China PR, Thailand and Korea Republic are the nations to have survived the qualification tightrope, earning the chance to emulate Asia's heroes from tournaments past.
With 100 days until the opening of France 2019, the-AFC.com celebrates the Continent's proud history at the biggest event of the women's game, by reliving some of Asia's brightest days at the FIFA Women's World Cup.