West Asia Wrap: Al Ahed clinch Federation Cup, advantage Al Wehdat in Super Cup

Mon, 24 Jul, 2023

West Asia Wrap: Al Ahed clinch Federation Cup, advantage Al Wehdat in Super Cup

Doha: 2019 AFC Cup™ champions Al Ahed produced a stirring performance to secure the 2023-24 Lebanon Federation Cup. 

Meanwhile in the Jordan Super Cup, Al Wehdat secured a slim lead, so join the-AFC.com as we recap all the domestic action from West Asia.

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. 

East Asia Wrap: Pohang edge Jeonbuk; Vissel held by Frontale

Mon, 24 Jul, 2023

East Asia Wrap: Pohang edge Jeonbuk; Vissel held by Frontale

Hong Kong: Pohang Steelers consolidated their second place in Korea Republic after a late strike from Lee Ho-jae helped them defeat Dan Petrescu’s Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 2-1 on Friday while defending champions Ulsan Hyundai continue in the lead with a 2-1 defeat of Jeju United. 

In Japan, leaders Vissel Kobe dropped points as they were held to a 2-2 by last season’s runners-up Kawasaki Frontale on Saturday in the only league fixture of the week, but Takayuki Yoshida's side have a slender one-point lead over defending champions Yokohama F. Marinos. 
 
Shanghai Port posted a comprehensive 3-0 win over Cangzhou Mighty Lions to maintain an eight-point lead at the top in China PR while there were also matches taking place in Macau, so join the-AFC.com as we review the week’s action from across East Asia.

Group F: Jamaica frustrate France in goalless draw

Sun, 23 Jul, 2023

Group F: Jamaica frustrate France in goalless draw

Sydney: Manchester City striker Khadija Shaw was sent off late on as Jamaica held fifth-ranked France to a goalless draw at the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 on Sunday.

France were widely expected to advance to the last-16 as Group F winners but after this stalemate to open their title bid that is now in doubt.

Jamaica produced a stirring rearguard action to repel waves of second-half attacks and frustrate the French in front of 39,045 fans at a wet Sydney Football Stadium,

It was a physical and free-flowing affair with three players booked and Shaw shown a red card in the dying minutes for a second silly tackle.

Group E: Netherlands edge out debutants Portugal

Sun, 23 Jul, 2023

Group E: Netherlands edge out debutants Portugal

Portugal: Defender Stefanie van der Gragt scored the only goal as 2019 runners-up the Netherlands beat debutants Portugal 1-0 in their opening game at the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 on Sunday.

Van der Gragt's early header was given following a VAR check after initially being disallowed for offside and the Dutch held on in a Group E contest played under a closed roof in Dunedin.
 
The win sets the Netherlands up nicely for a mouthwatering showdown on Thursday with holders the United States, who beat them 2-0 in the final in France four years ago.

Group G: Sweden fight back to sink South Africa

Sun, 23 Jul, 2023

Group G: Sweden fight back to sink South Africa

Wellington: Sweden fought back and struck late on to grab a 2-1 win over South Africa in their FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand opener on Sunday in the Wellington rain.

The third-ranked Swedes conjured up the winner in the 90th minute through defender Amanda Ilestedt, much to the relief of their fans in the miserable conditions.
 
A goal early in the second half by Hildah Magaia - in which she suffered a match-ending injury - gave the African champions hope of an upset.
 
But that was cancelled out by Barcelona star Fridolina Rolfo soon afterwards, before Ilestedt's late intervention, heading home from close range. It denied South Africa a first point ever at the World Cup.

'No limits' for New Zealand after historic triumph

Sun, 23 Jul, 2023

'No limits' for New Zealand after historic triumph

Auckland: New Zealand "set a new standard" for themselves by winning a FIFA Women's World Cup match for the first time, defender CJ Bott said Sunday, as the co-hosts eye a landmark place in the knockout stages.

The Football Ferns had never won a game in 15 attempts at the Finals before defeating former champions Norway 1-0 in Auckland on Thursday in the opening match of the tournament.
 
Now they face the Philippines on Tuesday knowing that another victory could secure their place in the last 16 even before their final Group A match against Switzerland.