Central Asian stars converge on Dushanbe in search of CAFA women's futsal title

Fri, 21 Jan, 2022

Central Asian stars converge on Dushanbe in search of CAFA women's futsal title

Dushanbe: Central Asia’s brightest women’s futsal talent has touched down in Tajikistan, where the CAFA Women’s Futsal will begin on Friday.

The tournament, which features Islamic Republic of Iran, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyz Republic in addition to hosts Tajikistan, will be played in a double round-robin format with the leading team in the league format to be crowned champions
 
The competition marks the first senior women’s futsal championship among Central Asian Football Association (CAFA) nations and follows a U-19 women’s futsal event staged by the regional association in 2020.

Irandoost praises IR Iran, India’s Dennerby disappointed after stalemate

Fri, 21 Jan, 2022

Irandoost praises IR Iran, India’s Dennerby disappointed after stalemate

Navi Mumbai: Islamic Republic of Iran head coach Maryam Irandoost sang praises of her team after their 0-0 draw against India in Group A of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ on Thursday.

Iran’s strategy to play counter-attacking football worked in their favour as they kept India at bay to earn their first AFC Women's Asian Cup point at the D.Y. Patil Stadium.

Koudaei promises much more from IR Iran after heroics against India

Fri, 21 Jan, 2022

Koudaei promises much more from IR Iran after heroics against India

Navi Mumbai: Goalkeeper Zohreh Koudaei stole the show as Islamic Republic of Iran held India to a goalless draw in their AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ Group A opener on Thursday.

Besides hitting the crossbar, India found Koudaei in unbeatable form as she denied them time and again, including pulling off a one-handed save when it looked like Dangmei Grace had broken the deadlock in the 77th minute.

The 32-year-old’s fine performance meant Iran marked their AFC Women's Asian Cup debut with a point and the shot-stopper promised of more to come in the matches against China PR and Chinese Taipei.

Preparation behind fast start, says China PR boss Shui

Fri, 21 Jan, 2022

Preparation behind fast start, says China PR boss Shui

Mumbai: Hard work and preparation paid dividends, according to Shui Qingxia, after her China PR side began their AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ campaign with a commanding 4-0 win over Chinese Taipei on Thursday.

The Steel Roses hadn’t played any international opponents in the months ahead of their trip to India, but their lack of match practice didn’t prevent them from storming to a 2-0 lead within 10 minutes, with Wang Shuang ultimately scoring twice in the impressive opening day display.

Zhang Xin: Tokyo in the past, Navi Mumbai in the future for China PR

Fri, 21 Jan, 2022

Zhang Xin: Tokyo in the past, Navi Mumbai in the future for China PR

Mumbai: China PR Zhang Xin backed her side to prove their ill-fated Tokyo Olympics campaign was a one-off by reaching the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ Final, following a blistering 4-0 win against Chinese Taipei on Thursday.

The midfielder was one of the best players on the pitch as the Steel Roses cruised to victory in their first match under Shui Qingxia, capping off her fine display with a goal nine minutes into the second half.

The match was China’s first competitive outing since an unhappy Tokyo Olympics campaign which saw them concede 17 goals in just three group stage matches, and where the attacking exploits of Wang Shuang were one of few bright spots.

Preview - Group B: Thailand v Philippines

Fri, 21 Jan, 2022

Preview - Group B: Thailand v Philippines

Navi Mumbai: Alen Stajcic’s Philippines face a litmus test in their 2022 AFC Asian Cup India 2022™ Group B opening fixture against regional powerhouse Thailand on Friday.

The Philippines have not beaten Thailand in 12 previous attempts and the duel at the D.Y. Patil Stadium is set to be a thrilling encounter.

Preview - Group B: Australia v Indonesia

Fri, 21 Jan, 2022

Preview - Group B: Australia v Indonesia

Mumbai: They may be separated by more than 80 places in the world rankings, but Australia head coach Tony Gustavsson will take nothing for granted when his side begin their AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ campaign against Indonesia on Friday. 

The Matildas are a powerhouse in this competition, reaching the final in four of the last five editions and touching down in India as the highest-ranked team in this year’s event, while Indonesia have qualified for the group stage for the first time since 1989. 

Preview - Group C: Japan v Myanmar

Thu, 20 Jan, 2022

Preview - Group C: Japan v Myanmar

Pune: Japan are entering the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ as two-time defending champions and while it may be a heavy burden for some, head coach Futoshi Ikeda welcomes the pressure and is looking forward to the challenge.

Japan kick off their title defence in Group C against Myanmar at the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Pune on Friday.

Preview - Group C: Korea Republic v Vietnam

Thu, 20 Jan, 2022

Preview - Group C: Korea Republic v Vietnam

Pune: Korea Republic are seeking to end their title drought in AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™, but head coach Colin Bell wants his players to first focus on Friday’s opening Group C tie against Vietnam. 

Korea Republic have qualified for every edition of the Finals since 1991, with a third-placed finish in 2003 their best achievement. In Vietnam, they will play a team who are also regulars in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, having made every Finals since 1999.