Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Nanjing: The Fifth edition of the AFC U-16 Women’s Championship kicks-off in Nanjing on Thursday with tournament debutants Guam facing the proverbial ‘baptism of fire’ when they take on defending champions Japan in the Group D curtain raiser.
“It’s a great honour to be here as it is our first time in the finals,” said Guam coach Brett Maluwelmeng, who is undaunted at the prospect of his girls taking on the 2011 AFC U-16 Women’s Championship winners' on their debut.
“Japan are the defending champions and maybe the strongest team in this competition but we are well prepared and we will try to play according to our plan. Of course we want to get a good result but we also want to show that we can play good football.”
Guam will have to be at their very best to compete with a nation that unquestionably sets the standards of women’s football development in Asia but Maluwelmeng’s counterpart Asako Takemoto (pictured left) is not taking Thursday’s opener against the tournament outsiders lightly.
“We may be seen as the defending champions but we are a totally new team and we do not see any easy opponents,” said Takemoto.
“We will do our best to win every match while playing in our style and we also want to show the fans interesting and exciting football.”
Twelve teams are in the fray as the tournament reverts back to a knockout competition following the round robin format two years ago with the top sides in each of the four groups meeting in the semi-finals.
A top-three finish guarantees a place and the 2014 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup and not surprisingly the minimum target for many of the coaches is a ticket to Costa Rica.
“Me and my girls are very confident and hopefully we will get the results we need to play in the World Cup next year,” said China coach Gao Hong, who was part of the technical staff as China finished third at the 2011 AFC U-16 Women’s Championship.
“I was the assistant coach at the last edition of the tournament and I will use that experience but also build a new team with a new spirit,” continued Gao, who prepared for the competition with a successful training camp in Europe.
China kick-off their campaign against Bahrain in the opening match of Group A, while 2007 champions DPR Korea take on Jordan in Group B and Uzbekistan face Korea Republic in Group C in Thursday’s other matches.