LATEST NEWS - FOOTBALL AUSTRALIA

Australia exit with pride, says Epakis

Mon, 13 Apr, 2026

Australia exit with pride, says Epakis

Pathum Thani: As Australia’s journey at the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup Thailand 2026™ was halted by DPR Korea in Sunday’s quarter-final clash, head coach Alexander Epakis urged his squad to hold their heads up high.

The 2024 semi-finalists faced the defending champions after a tough group stage match against six-time winners Japan on Wednesday, earning the head coach’s admiration for rising to the challenge of facing two tournament favourites on back-to-back occasions.

ASEAN Wrap: Buriram, Svay Rieng canter to glory

Mon, 13 Apr, 2026

ASEAN Wrap: Buriram, Svay Rieng canter to glory

Kuala Lumpur: Buriram United retained their Thai League title with four matches to spare following a 2-0 win over Ayutthaya United on Sunday.

Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC did the same in Cambodia, winning the title for the third season in a row. Newcastle Jets were held by Adelaide United but maintained their three-point lead in Australia while champions Johor Darul Ta'zim dropped points for the first time this season in the Malaysia Super League.

There were also matches in Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore and the Philippines so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the past week's domestic action across ASEAN.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u20_womens_asian_cup.html/video/u20wac-|-quarter-finals-dpr-korea-3-0-australia

Q-final: DPR Korea 3-0 Australia

Sun, 12 Apr, 2026

Q-final: DPR Korea 3-0 Australia

Pathum Thani: DPR Korea remained flawless as they handed Australia a 3-0 defeat in the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup Thailand 2026™ quarter-finals at the Pathum Thani Stadium on Sunday.

The defending champions will now face either Korea Republic or Thailand in the last four stage, while staying on track to also retain their FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup title in Poland later this year.

Five-star Australia; defeats for India, Japan, Korea Republic

Sun, 12 Apr, 2026

Five-star Australia; defeats for India, Japan, Korea Republic

Nairobi: Sam Kerr netted her 74th international goal to help Australia begin their FIFA Series 2026 campaign with a 5-0 win over Malawi at Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday.

India suffered a 2-0 defeat to Kenya while Korea Republic lost 5-1 Brazil in their respective FIFA Series ties.

Japan, meanwhile, were edged 2-1 by the United States in an international friendly.

Preview - QF: DPR Korea v Australia

Sun, 12 Apr, 2026

Preview - QF: DPR Korea v Australia

Pathum Thani: Australia head coach Alexander Epakis is expecting an improved showing from his side against defending champions DPR Korea in Sunday’s AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup Thailand 2026™ quarter-final.

After two comfortable wins against India and Chinese Taipei, Epakis always knew his side's sternest test would come against Japan, and his expectation was confirmed as the six-time champions handed the Young Matildas a 5-2 defeat on Wednesday.

Family the driving force for Australia’s Prakash

Thu, 09 Apr, 2026

Family the driving force for Australia’s Prakash

Nonthaburi: Japan conceded their first goals in the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup Thailand 2026™ on Wednesday, with Australia’s Avaani Prakash scoring the first and assisting the second, even as the Young Matildas eventually lost 5-2.

Despite ending up on the wrong side of the scoreline, Prakash was pleased with the improvement in her individual game but admitted that, as a squad, there is still a lot of work to be done.

Ijiri glad to show the ‘Japanese way’

Thu, 09 Apr, 2026

Ijiri glad to show the ‘Japanese way’

Nonthaburi: Japan’s impressive unbeaten run in the group stage of the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup Thailand 2026™ may have impressed fans, but for head coach Akira Ijiri, it is just what he expected.

Having won the continental title a record six times, the East Asian side initially trailed by a goal before coming back to eventually seal a 5-2 win, and according to Ijiri, their performance was a true demonstration of the Japanese way of doing things.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u20_womens_asian_cup.html/video/u20wac-|-group-c-japan-5-2-australia

#U20WAC - Last eight cast finalised

Wed, 08 Apr, 2026

#U20WAC - Last eight cast finalised

Pathum Thani: The AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup Thailand 2026™ is all set for its business end following the conclusion of the group stage on Wednesday.

The quarter-finals - to be played on Saturday and Sunday - promise to be enticing affairs with all eight teams set to battle for the title till the end.

Group C: Japan 5-2 Australia

Wed, 08 Apr, 2026

Group C: Japan 5-2 Australia

Nonthaburi: Japan sealed top spot in Group C of the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup Thailand 2026™ with a 5-2 defeat of Australia at the Nonthaburi Stadium on Wednesday.

The six-time champions will now face either the third place side from Group A or B, while Australia will take on the Group B winners

Preview - Group C: Japan v Australia

Wed, 08 Apr, 2026

Preview - Group C: Japan v Australia

Nonthaburi:  Australia head coach Alexander Epakis is thrilled at the prospect of facing Japan in their final AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup Thailand 2026 Group C clash on Wednesday.

Following two comfortable victories over Chinese Taipei and India, Epakis said his side are beginning to show glimpses of their true quality and is looking forward to being tested by the six-time champions.