It’s My Game: The meteoric rise of Palestine’s Heba Saadieh

Wed, 02 Aug, 2023

It’s My Game: The meteoric rise of Palestine’s Heba Saadieh

In this episode of “It’s My Game”, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) shares the inspiring story of Heba Saadieh, the Palestinian referee who has carved a niche for herself on the global stage. 

Saadieh, who has been a mainstay in the AFC’s roster of match officials, created history yesterday when she took the field as an assistant referee in the Group Stage match between China and England at the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023, making her the first Palestinian, male or female, to officiate at the global showpiece. 

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/2970545.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/2970550.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/2970547.html

Isabella Fernando-Dela Cruz: Women’s football in Asia has seen tremendous growth in the last decade

Fri, 19 May, 2023

Isabella Fernando-Dela Cruz: Women’s football in Asia has seen tremendous growth in the last decade

In 2023’s first episode of “It’s My Game”, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) features Isabella Fernando-Dela Cruz as the Philippines Football Federation (PFF) Head of Women’s Football shines the spotlight on the Filipinas’ historic qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023. 

For Isabella, who donned the national team jersey from 2009 to 2013 and featured in prestigious competitions such as the AFF Women's Championship before moving on to managerial roles, the prospect of watching the Filipinas perform on the biggest stage in the world is almost surreal. 

Shui: China PR will learn and bounce back stronger

Wed, 02 Aug, 2023

Shui: China PR will learn and bounce back stronger

Adelaide: China PR coach Shui Qingxia vowed to quickly learn the lessons from the disappointment of her team’s exit from the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 after the Steel Roses suffered a 6-1 loss against European champions England at Adelaide’s Hindmarsh Stadium on Tuesday.

Lauren James scored twice for Sarina Wiegman’s side while Alessia Russo, Lauren Hemp, Chloe Kelly and Rachel Daly were also on the scoresheet as the Chinese struggled to match the technical and physically commanding Lionesses, who advance to the last 16 as Group D winners.
 
Shui’s side, meanwhile, exit the competition having finished in third place in the group behind runners-up Denmark, meaning China PR have been knocked out at the opening phase for the first time in eight appearances at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Finals.

Experience will boost Vietnam's development, says Mai

Wed, 02 Aug, 2023

Experience will boost Vietnam's development, says Mai

Dunedin: Vietnam's FIFA Women's World Cup debut may have ended on a low note but head coach Mai Duc Chung believes the future is bright for the game in the Southeast Asian nation.

Vietnam found the Netherlands too strong in their final Group E match at the Dunedin Stadium on Tuesday, with the 2019 runners-up cruising to a 7-0 win.

Group D: Denmark book showdown with Australia

Tue, 01 Aug, 2023

Group D: Denmark book showdown with Australia

Perth: Denmark beat Haiti 2-0 on Tuesday to finish second in Group D of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 and line up a knockout-round meeting with co-hosts Australia.

The Danes, playing at their first World Cup since 2007, thought they had scored early against Haiti in front of just under 18,000 in Perth but it was ruled out after a VAR review found Simone Boye was just off-side.

Group D: Defeat to England ends China PR's campaign

Tue, 01 Aug, 2023

Group D: Defeat to England ends China PR's campaign

Adelaide: China PR crashed out of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 as Shui Qingxi’s side were handed a 6-1 thrashing by European champions England in Adelaide’s Hindmarsh Stadium on Tuesday.

Alessia Russo, Lauren Hemp and Lauren James gave England a three-goal cushion at half time and, while Wang Shuang pulled one back from the penalty spotin the 57th minute, James’ second of the game eight minutes later was followed by strikes from Chloe Kelly and Rachel Daly.
 
The result leaves the Chinese in third place in Group D and means the Steel Roses will not qualify for the knockout rounds of the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time in eight appearances at the finals.

Stajcic parts ways with the Philippines on high note

Tue, 01 Aug, 2023

Stajcic parts ways with the Philippines on high note

Manila: The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) bid goodbye to women’s national team head coach Alen Stajcic following a hugely successful period at the helm, where the Australian guided the team to their first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup appearance.

The contracts of both Stajcic and assistant coach Nahuel Arrarte expired after the conclusion of Philippines' FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 campaign where their committed performances saw them earning a magnificent 1-0 win over hosts New Zealand.