Know your team: Korea Republic

Mon, 21 Jul, 2025

Know your team: Korea Republic

Kuala Lumpur: Korea Republic will be on a mission to end their long wait for the AFC Women's Asian Cup™ title at Australia 2026.

The Taegeuk Ladies will head into the continental showpiece on a high after winning the EAFF E-1 Women's Football Championship 2025 title.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_womens_asian_cup/video/wac2022_-_final_|_china_pr_3_-_2_korea_republic.html

Know your team: Australia

Sun, 15 Feb, 2026

Know your team: Australia

Kuala Lumpur: Australia will be determined to savour continental glory again when they host the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™.

Champions in 2010, Australia have a long storied history with the competition - starting with their participation as guests in the inaugural edition played in Hong Kong, China in 1975.

The Matildas - who reached the semi-finals of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 which Australia co-hosted with New Zealand - will be among the favourites, especially with the backing of their passionate fans.

Matsunaga chasing World Cup dream with Chinese Taipei

Sat, 14 Feb, 2026

Matsunaga chasing World Cup dream with Chinese Taipei

Sydney: When Saki Matsunaga lined up to face Japan at the 2025 EAFF E-1 Football Championship last July, it represented a surreal and emotional experience for her.

Born in Funabashi, a city in Chiba Prefecture, Matsunaga picked up the sport at three under her father’s guidance and went on to play for Japan at the then-World University Games in 2017, before turning out for Sfida Setagaya FC and Ehime FC.

But, with a burning ambition to reach the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Matsunaga decided to embark on a different trajectory at the end of 2023.

Vietnam’s Huynh Nhu confident of Asia’s rise

Fri, 13 Feb, 2026

Vietnam’s Huynh Nhu confident of Asia’s rise

Kuala Lumpur: Huynh Nhu’s longevity in women’s football with various clubs and the Vietnam national team marks her as the poster figure for budding players in the football-mad Southeast Asian country.

Huynh Nhu has served her nation with honour and diligence for 15 years, a career path that she has no regrets taking ever since the opportunity opened up to her to be a professional player at the age of 17.

While a large chunk of her career was spent with Ho Chi Minh City Women’s FC, Huynh Nhu has had the opportunity to play two years in Portugal in 2022 with Vilaverdense FC, a period which opened her eyes to the potential of Asian players.

Nielsen aims to restore Japan to Asia’s pinnacle

Tue, 10 Feb, 2026

Nielsen aims to restore Japan to Asia’s pinnacle

Kuala Lumpur: By their high standards, Japan have not enjoyed much success in recent years.

Quarter-final exits at both the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 and 2024 Paris Olympic Games, as well as elimination in the semi-finals of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™, saw the Japan Football Association decline to renew the contract of Futoshi Ikeda in August 2024 after almost three years at the helm.

In stepped Nils Nielsen, who became the first foreign manager in Nadeshiko history with his appointment in December 2024 – and the person charged with bringing glory to Japan again.

Closing the gap is Milicic’s aim for China PR

Mon, 09 Feb, 2026

Closing the gap is Milicic’s aim for China PR

Kuala Lumpur: Ante Milicic is determined to bring China PR back among the elite in women’s football and the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ will be the first opportunity to showcase the work that has gone on.

While China PR goes into Australia as defending champions, the years since lifting the trophy at India 2022 have seen the team under-performing in major tournaments - a group stage exit at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 as well as missing out completely on the Paris Olympics 2024.

Milicic’s single-mindedness was evident from the moment the prospect of landing the job with the Steel Roses became a possibility as the Australian shares with the-AFC.com what the head coach role entails for him and China PR.