Montemurro pleased with Australia’s squad-building; Jafari takes IR Iran positives

Thu, 05 Mar, 2026

Montemurro pleased with Australia’s squad-building; Jafari takes IR Iran positives

Gold Coast: With five changes to the starting line-up and a total of six players making their first appearances at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™, the Matildas underlined their squad depth with a convincing 4-0 win against the Islamic Republic of Iran on Thursday to seal progression to the quarter-finals.

It was a strength that head coach Joe Montemurro highlighted afterwards, as they look to get even better in search of a second title on home soil.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_womens_asian_cup.html/video/wac2026-|-group-a-ir-iran-0-4-australia

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Shin’s plans pay off for Korea Republic, Torcaso building Philippines’ competitiveness

Thu, 05 Mar, 2026

Shin’s plans pay off for Korea Republic, Torcaso building Philippines’ competitiveness

Gold Coast: Shin Sang-woo was a satisfied enough man after watching his Korea Republic side record a second straight 3-0 win on Thursday as they saw off the Philippines.

On a sunny 1pm kick-off at the Gold Coast Stadium, the 2022 finalists claimed the three points despite making seven changes to the line-up from their opening match against the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Group A: IR Iran 0-4 Australia

Thu, 05 Mar, 2026

Group A: IR Iran 0-4 Australia

Gold Coast: Australia booked their quarter-final place at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ in emphatic fashion by defeating the Islamic Republic of Iran 4-0 on Thursday evening.

Joe Montemurro’s side scored thrice in the first half in an accomplished performance to record a second win on the trot in Group A, which also confirmed Korea Republic’s passage into the knockouts.

Group A: Philippines 0-3 Korea Republic

Thu, 05 Mar, 2026

Group A: Philippines 0-3 Korea Republic

Gold Coast: Korea Republic eased to a 3-0 victory on Thursday in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ to seal progress into the knockout stage.

Two goals in a three-minute first-half spell sent the 2022 finalists on their way to a 3-0 win against the Philippines, with their knockout stage confirmed following Australia's 4-0 triumph against Islamic Republic of Iran in the group's second tie on Thursday.

Defeat left the Philippines' hopes hanging by a thread, having lost 1-0 to Australia in their opener.

Preview - Group B: Uzbekistan v China PR

Fri, 06 Mar, 2026

Preview - Group B: Uzbekistan v China PR

Sydney: For Uzbekistan head coach Kotryna Kulbyte, the way forward is clear as the Central Asian side prepare to take on defending champions China PR in their AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ Group B fixture on Friday.

A 3-0 defeat against DPR Korea in their opening game did little to mellow the fierce determination that personifies the Lithuanian tactician, for whom Friday’s tie represents a fresh opportunity to apply the learnings from their opening-day showing.

Preview - Group B: Bangladesh v DPR Korea

Fri, 06 Mar, 2026

Preview - Group B: Bangladesh v DPR Korea

Sydney: DPR Korea are determined to keep their AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ fate in their own hands as they prepare to face Bangladesh in their second Group B tie on Friday.

Despite the vast difference in achievement and FIFA rankings, head coach Ri Song Ho is not underestimating Bangladesh’s challenge and is demanding full concentration from his players in the bid to build on their opening 3-0 win against Uzbekistan.