100 days countdown to the greatest show in Asian women’s football

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

100 days countdown to the greatest show in Asian women’s football

Kuala Lumpur: With 100 days to go for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) have today unveiled ‘Our Goal for All’ as the official tagline of the anticipated showpiece.

The tagline highlights the commitment and determination of the AFC and the LOC, amidst the backdrop of the pandemic, to showcase the best of Asian women’s football in India where the Continent’s top 12 teams will contend for the prestigious title from January 20 to February 6, 2022, across Navi Mumbai, Mumbai and Pune.
 
AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said: “India 2022 promises to be another spectacular celebration of the women’s game throughout the Continent. Together with the LOC, we are confident that the upcoming edition will showcase the resolve of the Asian football family towards staging a truly memorable tournament. 
 
“Our Goal for All, demonstrates the unity and the collective effort of the Asian football family to create a brighter future for women’s football by staging a world-class spectacle that will leave a legacy in the women’s game for many years to come.”
 
Meanwhile, All India Football Federation (AIFF) President and LOC Chairman, Praful Patel said: “We are extremely excited on reaching yet another milestone on the path to hosting Asia’s flagship women’s tournament in India. Our Goal for All is a fitting representation of the values of our tournament. 
 
“The AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ belongs to every woman and football lover across the Continent. It stands for the unified efforts of all stakeholders in creating a bright future for women’s football that keeps encompassing unchartered ground.” 
 
A total of 12 teams - four more than the last four editions – will make their way to the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ which include reigning champions Japan, 2018 runners-up Australia, third-placed China PR and hosts India. 
 
They will be joined by Indonesia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Korea Republic, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam following an exciting AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ Qualifiers with two more teams set to qualify later this month. 
 
Adding to the excitement of the competition, the top five teams in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ will also qualify to the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia/New Zealand 2023.

Six players who lit up the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022 Qualifiers

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Six players who lit up the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022 Qualifiers

Kuala Lumpur: In a 12-day period where established powers flexed their muscles, and burgeoning contenders announced their arrival on the AFC Women’s Asian Cup stage, there was no shortage of heroes. 

For some, it was a time of joyous wins and priceless breakthroughs; for others, the anguish of an opportunity missed.

But beyond the drama delivered by September’s six AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022 qualifying groups, there were standout individual performers, who seized the moment to ensure their country will be among the continent’s elite at January’s Finals.

At the conclusion of a gripping international window, we’ve picked out six eye-catching performers – one from each group – who left their mark on September’s qualifiers, and will be aiming to do the same on an even bigger stage In less than four months at India 2022.

Futoshi Ikeda confirmed as Nadeshiko boss

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Futoshi Ikeda confirmed as Nadeshiko boss

Tokyo: Futoshi Ikeda will lead defending champions Japan at AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022, after he was confirmed as the new Nadeshiko head coach.

The 50-year-old replaces Asako Takakura, who led the team to the 2018 continental title in Jordan before resigning following a quarter-final exit at the recent Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

It is expected that Ikeda will head the women’s national team at three major tournaments in as many years, with the imminent AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022 to be followed by the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand as well as the 2024 Paris Olympics, should Japan qualify.

Vietnam defeat Tajikistan to secure Finals slot

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Vietnam defeat Tajikistan to secure Finals slot

Dushanbe: Vietnam became the 10th team to confirm their place at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022, cruising to the continental Finals with a 7-0 win over Group B hosts Tajikistan on Wednesday.

Needing a draw or better to qualify as group winners, Mai Duc Chung’s side were too slick and too experienced for Tajikistan, with Pham Hai Yen and Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy scoring two goals apiece.

In addition to booking their place at India 2022, the result keeps Vietnam’s bid for a maiden FIFA Women’s World Cup qualification alive, while Tajikistan’s dream of a first ever trip to the continental Finals was extinguished.

AFC Women's Asian Cup India 2022 Qualifiers - Group C: Indonesia defeat Singapore to end long wait

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

AFC Women's Asian Cup India 2022 Qualifiers - Group C: Indonesia defeat Singapore to end long wait

Dushanbe: Indonesia secured their place at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022, ending a 33-year qualification drought, with a 1-0 victory over Singapore at Republican Central Stadium.

Their second win over the Singaporeans in the space of four days, Monday’s result confirmed 96th-ranked Indonesia as winners of the two-team Group C.

On a night where a draw would have been enough to confirm their place at the continental finals, Octavianti Dwi Nurmalita struck a scrappy but important winner to put an end to Indonesia’s long absence from the top table of Asian women’s football.

AFC Women's Asian Cup India 2022 Qualifiers - Group H: Thailand beat Palestine to seal qualification in style

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

AFC Women's Asian Cup India 2022 Qualifiers - Group H: Thailand beat Palestine to seal qualification in style

West Bank: Thailand qualified for their 17th AFC Women's Asian Cup Finals with an emphatic 7-0 win over Palestine on Saturday.

Victory meant the Southeast Asian side finished top of Group H, having defeated Malaysia in their opening match with qualification meaning Thailand are very much in the race to qualify for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.