#AWCL Preliminary Stage draw finalised

Thu, 03 Jul, 2025

#AWCL Preliminary Stage draw finalised

Kuala Lumpur: The hopefuls learnt their journey to glory following the conclusion of the AFC Women’s Champions League™ 2025/26 Preliminary Stage draw at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday.

The 19 teams who entered for the Preliminary Stage were divided into five groups — four groups of four and one group of three — to do battle in a centralised league format between August 23 to 31, with only the five group winners advancing to the Group Stage.

 

They will join the teams from the top seven MAs in the AFC Women’s Club Competition Ranking 2024/25, namely Melbourne City FC (AUS), Suwon FC Women (KOR), Tokyo Verdy Beleza (JPN), holders Wuhan Jiangda Women’s FC (CHN), Ho Chi Minh City Women’s FC (VIE), Bam Khatoon FC (IRN) and a to-be-determined side from the United Arab Emirates, to form a 12-strong cast.

We always believed we could do it, says Bangladesh’s Khandaker

Thu, 03 Jul, 2025

We always believed we could do it, says Bangladesh’s Khandaker

Yangon: Bangladesh will join the elite of women’s football in Asia after achieving a historic first by reaching the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ thanks to a 2-1 win against Myanmar on Wednesday.

The 2-2 draw between Turkmenistan and Bahrain confirmed the South Asian side’s spot in the Finals with a match to spare.

Afeida Khandaker and her teammates had to dig deep in the final minutes at Thuwunna Stadium after Myanmar pulled a goal back, with the skipper drawing strength from a small but loud Bangladeshi support at the stadium.

Kulbyte focused on Nepal

Thu, 03 Jul, 2025

Kulbyte focused on Nepal

Tashkent: Uzbekistan head coach Kotryna Kulbyte praised her team’s commanding 7-0 victory against Laos in their AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ Qualifiers Group F match on Wednesday.

The result keeps Uzbekistan firmly in contention, as they sit level on points with Nepal ahead of their decisive group game on Saturday.

Nirmala relishing Thailand test after breaking goalscoring duck

Thu, 03 Jul, 2025

Nirmala relishing Thailand test after breaking goalscoring duck

Chiang Mai: Nirmala Devi was all smiles after scoring her first international goal, helping India cruise to a 5-0 win over Iraq in their AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ Qualifiers Group B tie on Wednesday.

The 22-year-old defender netted India’s fourth in the 54th minute, firing home a long-range effort to mark a memorable outing in just her sixth appearance for the Blue Tigresses.

Qualifiers - MD4: Results & Reports

Thu, 03 Jul, 2025

Qualifiers - MD4: Results & Reports

Kuala Lumpur: Bangladesh created history after they booked their spot in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ with a 2-1 win over Myanmar on Wednesday.

The three points assured Bangladesh of a top spot finish in Group C irrespective of what happens in Saturday's final round of matches.
 
There is, however, all to play for in the remaining six groups that are being contested, with only the top side from each advancing to the Finals.
 
Stay updated on all the action with the-AFC.com.

Matildas' defender Carpenter leaves Lyon for Chelsea

Thu, 03 Jul, 2025

Matildas' defender Carpenter leaves Lyon for Chelsea

Lyon: Australia's right-back Ellie Carpenter has left Lyon to join Chelsea, the English champions announced on Wednesday.

Carpenter, who has agreed a four-year contract, will be reunited with head coach Sonia Bompastor, who took charge of Lyon in 2021 before guiding Chelsea to a treble-winning season in her first campaign last year.

 

Carpenter moved to Lyon in 2020 and in the five years since has won two Champions Leagues, four French championships and the French Cup.