Sarah Walsh: It’s my turn to bring down barriers for young girls

Fri, 01 Mar, 2024

Sarah Walsh: It’s my turn to bring down barriers for young girls

Kuala Lumpur: With one week to go to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women’s Football Day 2024, the Confederation’s latest “It’s My Game” episode delves into the remarkable journey of Sarah Walsh, Head of Women’s Football at Football Australia, whose unwavering commitment to developing the women’s game reached its pinnacle with the historic success of the Matildas at the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023.

A former striker who faced multiple career-threatening injuries before the age of 18, Walsh overcame the odds to make her debut for the national team at 21 in 2004 and eventually etched her name in the history books when the Matildas emerged as champions of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ for the first time in 2010.

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Shaikh Salman congratulates Asian heroines on sealing Paris 2024 Olympic berths

Thu, 29 Feb, 2024

Shaikh Salman congratulates Asian heroines on sealing Paris 2024 Olympic berths

Kuala Lumpur: Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President, has applauded Australia and Japan for clinching the Continent’s two spots at the Paris 2024 Olympics after the conclusion of the two-legged AFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament - Asian Qualifiers Round 3 on Wednesday.

The Matildas defeated Uzbekistan 13-0 on aggregate after rallying past their Central Asian opponents 10-0 in the second leg at the Docklands Stadium in Melbourne on Wednesday, while Japan edged DPR Korea 2-1 at the Japan National Stadium in Tokyo to secure their sixth Olympic Games qualification after both sides had battled to a goalless draw in the first leg.

Japan’s Ikeda to focus on improvements ahead of Paris 2024

Thu, 29 Feb, 2024

Japan’s Ikeda to focus on improvements ahead of Paris 2024

Tokyo: Japan coach Futoshi Ikeda has set his sights on making further improvements when he takes his team to Paris in the summer after booking their ticket for the Olympic Games with a 2-1 victory over DPR Korea in Tokyo on Wednesday.

The Japanese claimed their slot at a sixth Olympic Games in July and August thanks to goals from Hana Takahashi and Aoba Fujino in front of a crowd of 20,777 at Japan’s National Stadium, holding on for the win despite Kim Hye Yong’s late goal for the visitors.

Jordan edge Nepal in shootout to retain title

Fri, 01 Mar, 2024

Jordan edge Nepal in shootout to retain title

Jeddah: Jordan emerged champions of the West Asian Football Federation Women's Championship 2024 with a 5-3 penalty shootout win over Nepal after the final ended 2-2 on Thursday.

It was Jordan's fourth consecutive title and sixth overall but they had to work hard to see off the challenge of a spirited Nepal side. 

Australia seal Paris 2024 berth

Wed, 28 Feb, 2024

Australia seal Paris 2024 berth

Melbourne: Australia were at their clinical best as they beat Uzbekistan 10-0 in the second leg of their Women’s Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024™ Asian Qualifiers Round 3 tie to book their place in the 2024 Paris Olympics with a 13-0 aggregate score.

In front of a packed Docklands Stadium, Tony Gustavsson’s team put on an emphatic display scoring eight goals in the first half, to confirm passage to a fifth Olympics participation.

Australian masterclass leaves Gustavsson spoilt for choice

Thu, 29 Feb, 2024

Australian masterclass leaves Gustavsson spoilt for choice

Melbourne: Head coach Tony Gustavsson will be spoilt for choice when he selects his squad for the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024 after Australia cruised to 10-0 win against Uzbekistan in the second leg of their Asian Qualifiers Round 3 fixture on Wednesday.

The win meant Australia rounded out their campaign with 26 goals and five clean sheets – with latecomers to the squad Michelle Heyman and Kaitlyn Torpey among those who impressed in Tashkent and Melbourne against Uzbekistan. 
 
Despite coming into the tie with a 3-0 advantage from the first leg, the Matildas stamped their authority from the start, taking a 8-0 lead by half-time in an impressive performance.