ASEAN Wrap: JDT are FA Cup winners; Cong lead in close title race

Mon, 24 Jul, 2023

ASEAN Wrap: JDT are FA Cup winners; Cong lead in close title race

Kuala Lumpur: Johor Darul Ta’zim retained their FA Cup title in Malaysia as goals from Hong Wan and Leandro Velazquez helped them defeat Kuala Lumpur City 2-0 and emerged victorious in the competition for a third time in front of more than 33,000 fans at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Iskandar Puteri on Saturday. 

In Vietnam, Cong An Hanoi edged Binh Dinh 1-0 on Saturday to maintain a slender two-point lead in the championship phase of the league, but they remain under pressure from defending champions Hanoi FC and third-placed Thanh Hoa who are tied on points behind them. 
 
Reigning champions Albirex Niigata (S) opened up a three-point lead in Singapore following a 5-0 defeat of Young Lions while there were also matches taking place in Indonesia, Myanmar, the Philippines and Brunei Darussalam, so join the-AFC.com as we review the week’s action from across ASEAN. 

Shui challenges China PR to bounce back

Sun, 23 Jul, 2023

Shui challenges China PR to bounce back

Perth: Head coach Shui Qingxia wants China PR to bounce back from their heartbreaking FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group D opener on Saturday by winning their remaining matches.

With the game seemingly headed for a goalless stalemate, substitute Amalie Vangsgaard stunned China PR in the 89th minute to snatch a vital victory for Denmark in front of a packed Perth Rectangular Stadium on Saturday.

Clinical Japan please Ikeda

Sat, 22 Jul, 2023

Clinical Japan please Ikeda

Hamilton: Japan's polished performance in their opening FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group C tie against Zambia on Saturday was a case of mission accomplished, said head coach Futoshi Ikeda.

The 2011 world champions took the lead through Hinata Miyazawa two minutes before the break and then turned on the style in the second half with four more goals to surge to the top of the Group C standings with Ikeda saying the three points were a must in their bid to advance to the knockout stage. 

Mai: Vietnam players did their best

Sat, 22 Jul, 2023

Mai: Vietnam players did their best

Auckland: There was not to be a FIFA Women's World Cup winning debut for Vietnam but head coach Mai Duc Chung was more than satisfied with the performance of his players against the United States on Saturday.

The defending champions were the overwhelming favourites going into the Group E tie at Eden Park but were instead made to work hard for a 3-0 win.
 
Sophia Smith scored twice with Lindsey Horan netting the third as the United States kicked off their bid for a fifth world title.

Stajcic hails resilient Filipinas

Sat, 22 Jul, 2023

Stajcic hails resilient Filipinas

Dunedin: Philippines head coach Alen Stajcic applauded his players for their fighting performance in their FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 opener on Friday.

Appearing at this stage for the first time, the Southeast Asian side held their own against a strong Switzerland team who had to work hard for their 2-0 win at the Dunedin Stadium.
 
Stajcic’s side put on a performance that was organised, committed and frustrated Switzerland for long spells until Ramona Bachmann’s first-half penalty gave the European side the lead. Seraina Piubel doubled the advantage on 64 minutes to see La Nati take all three points and claim an early lead at the top of Group A.

Group D: China PR suffer late heartbreak against Denmark

Sat, 22 Jul, 2023

Group D: China PR suffer late heartbreak against Denmark

Perth: Despite their best efforts, Asian champions China PR were left to rue their missed chances in a 1-0 defeat against Denmark in their FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group D opener at Perth Rectangular Stadium on Saturday.

Having reached the round of 16 last time out in 2019, China PR were facing a Denmark team returning to the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time since 2007, with the two teams separated by just one place in the Danes’ favour in the most recent FIFA rankings.

Group A: Philippines go down fighting against Switzerland

Fri, 21 Jul, 2023

Group A: Philippines go down fighting against Switzerland

Dunedin: Philippines marked their historic FIFA Women’s World Cup debut with a creditable 2-0 defeat to Switzerland at Dunedin Stadium on Friday.

Alen Stajcic’s side put on a performance that was organised, committed and frustrated Switzerland for long spells until Ramona Bachmann’s first-half penalty gave the European side the lead. Seraina Piubel doubled the advantage on 64 minutes to see La Nati take all three points and claim an early lead at the top of Group A.