History-making Yamashita revels in refereeing responsibility 

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

History-making Yamashita revels in refereeing responsibility 

Tokyo: History was made when Yoshimi Yamashita, alongside Makoto Bozono and Naomi Teshirogi, took charge of a group match between Myanmar's Yangon United and Cambodia's Naga World in the 2019 AFC Cup. It marked the first time that an all-female team officiated a continental men's match in Asia. The game ended in 2-0 in hosts Yangon's favour but the fixture had a greater resonance than simply the scoreline.

"I felt greater pressure than usual ahead of the match," the 34-year-old told FIFA.com. "I was honoured to be tasked with officiating this match, but I was also aware that I had the responsibility to try my best and do the job well. It was a game which opened a new path for female referees.

"I had a feeling that this match might be significant for the future of female referees," continued Yamashita. "All that I needed to do was concentrate on my work in the match. I was grateful for the decision made by AFC as well as all those who worked hard to make this happen."

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/yoshimi_yamashita_-_fifa_u-17_world_cup_2018.html

First women Medical Officers appointed in AFC men’s club competition

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

First women Medical Officers appointed in AFC men’s club competition

Doha: Dr. Zohreh Haratian and Dr. Bahar Hassanmirzaei from the Islamic Republic of Iran, Dr. Janis Ann Figueroa Espino-De Vera from the Philippines and Dr. Liesel Geertsema from New Zealand have joined the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) history books by becoming the first women Medical Officers to be appointed in an AFC men’s club competition.

The quartet are among nine Medical Officers including Doping Control Officers working behind the scenes to ensure the safety of players and officials at the AFC Champions League (East) in Doha, Qatar.

Kamnueng: I want an Asian female to officiate in a FIFA World Cup

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Kamnueng: I want an Asian female to officiate in a FIFA World Cup

Kuala Lumpur: When Pannipar Kamnueng was appointed Thailand FA’s Director of Referees Department in 2016, she became the world's first female to hold such a position in a national association.

The appointment was a testament to her pedigree as a top-quality former international referee having officiated matches in a series of FIFA women's tournaments. Successful as she was, however, Kamnueng quickly became aware of the added layer of challenges she would face.

Brave Cui’s passion for refereeing undiminished by serious health scare

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Brave Cui’s passion for refereeing undiminished by serious health scare

Beijing: Cui Yongmei has proved there is nothing in this world which can deprive her of the love for refereeing. Not even a life-threatening event.

One of the best regarded female referees China PR has ever seen, Cui was announced to join the match officials’ team for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France. Just as she was working against the clock to prepare herself for her second women's football extravaganza - she worked as an assistant referee at Canada 2015 – Cui was urgently taken to hospital at the start of last year after an unexpected heart attack.

It’s My Game: Maha Janoud - Nothing is impossible in football

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

It’s My Game: Maha Janoud - Nothing is impossible in football

Kuala Lumpur: In the latest Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) ‘It’s My Game’ feature, Maha Janoud, the Head of Women’s Football in Oman Football Association (OFA), shares her inspiring rise in the sport from an amateur footballer to becoming the first woman to coach a men’s football team in West Asia. 

Maha, who is also the AFC Women’s Football Committee member, started her football career in the Physical Education Institute in Syria, where like many young girls, faced several obstacles in society.

GameChangers: Sophie Perry’s sea change, from Brighton to Bangkok

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

GameChangers: Sophie Perry’s sea change, from Brighton to Bangkok

Chonburi: In early 2019 Sophie Perry played her final matches in English football. Luckily, she never retired.

In this week’s edition of our in-depth women’s football series, GameChangers, we meet the Women’s Super League veteran and Irish international, who sought to encourage a love of football in her students in Thailand and, in the process, rediscovered her own.

In more ways than one, it was a whole new ball game.

GameChangers: Lili Iskandar’s unshakeable dream

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

GameChangers: Lili Iskandar’s unshakeable dream

Zgharta: A global pandemic and a national tragedy have marred what should have been her breakout year, but overcoming obstacles is nothing new for Lili Iskandar

In this edition of the AFC’s GameChangers series, the face of a talented new generation of Lebanese women discusses the long road from Zgharta to international football, dreams of European stardom and persisting, no matter what.