Soumya: India’s heartbeat on and off the pitch

Thu, 05 Mar, 2026

Soumya: India’s heartbeat on and off the pitch

Perth: As India suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Vietnam in their AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ Group C opener at the Perth Rectangular Stadium on Wednesday, one player stood out amid the highs and lows – Soumya Guguloth.

Running tirelessly across midfield, creating opportunities and battling for every ball, East Bengal’s Soumya showed the grit and vision that has taken the 24-year-old Telangana native to where she is.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3160097

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3160099

Mai applauds Vietnam’s tenacity; Valverde rues India’s missed opportunity

Wed, 04 Mar, 2026

Mai applauds Vietnam’s tenacity; Valverde rues India’s missed opportunity

Perth: Mai Duc Chung hailed his players’ composure after Ngan Thi Van Su’s brace secured a hard-fought 2-1 win over India in their AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ Group C tie at the Perth Rectangular Stadium on Wednesday.

The Vietnam head coach never doubted his players’ determination to push for the win, even after India had equalised midway through the second half.

Nielsen expects a sharper Japan; Chinese Taipei’s Prasobchoke satisfied despite defeat

Thu, 05 Mar, 2026

Nielsen expects a sharper Japan; Chinese Taipei’s Prasobchoke satisfied despite defeat

Perth: Head coach Nils Nielsen, while pleased with Japan’s composure against defensive-minded Chinese Taipei, admitted his side could have done more in their AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ Group C opener on Wednesday.

Chinese Taipei weathered wave after wave of pressure but ultimately succumbed as Momoko Tanikawa and Kiko Seike struck in the second half to secure the two-time champions a 2-0 win at the Perth Rectangular Stadium.

Nielsen acknowledged there was still room for improvement, with Japan registering a whopping 30 attempts on goal.  

Philippines’ Guy grateful for #WAC2026 opportunity

Wed, 04 Mar, 2026

Philippines’ Guy grateful for #WAC2026 opportunity

Gold Coast: It has been a whirlwind past few months for Jael-Marie Guy, who received her first senior call-up to the Philippines national team last November.

Fast-forward to Sunday, the United States-based forward found herself coming on at the start of the second half in their AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ tie against Australia, in front of a 44,379-strong crowd – the highest ever attendance in the competition’s history.

The substitute appearance was only Guy’s sixth cap, having made her debut during December’s SEA Games, where her irrepressible performances played a part in convincing Mark Torcaso to include her in the squad Down Under.

Veteran Zhang vows to soldier on for China PR

Tue, 03 Mar, 2026

Veteran Zhang vows to soldier on for China PR

Sydney: Zhang Rui showed age was just a number after the 37-year-old starred for China PR in their opening AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ 2-0 win against Bangladesh on Tuesday.

Playing in her fifth consecutive AFC Women’s Asian Cup, Zhang struck China PR’s second goal in first half added time as the defending champions eased to victory. 

This is only the start, says DPR Korea’s Myong

Tue, 03 Mar, 2026

This is only the start, says DPR Korea’s Myong

Sydney: Hat-trick heroine Myong Yu Jong insisted DPR Korea’s emphatic 3-0 win over Uzbekistan was only the beginning, as the forward set her sights on a far bigger objective at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026.

The 24-year-old gave her side the lead in the sixth minute before adding two more from the penalty spot prior to the interval but instead of revelling in a superb individual outing, Myong was already looking ahead.