Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Amman: The Philippines’ dream of reaching a first ever FIFA Women’s World Cup came to end as they were soundly beaten in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2018 play-off for fifth, but captain Tahnai Annis believes the tournament could be a turning point for the women’s game in the country.
Annis, who played all 90 minutes as her side fell 5-0 to a rampant Korea Republic, said that while the Malditas were disappointed to fall at the final hurdle, she will look back at Jordan 2018 with fondness.
“I think this whole Asian Cup has been an amazing experience for all of us and especially for women’s football in the Philippines,” she said.
“We’re on the map now, and people notice us. Coming into this no one mentioned anything about the Philippines – that was going to be everyone’s easy game and (opponents) didn’t have to think about us, but we really fought and we were (competitive) in every game.”
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Amman: Midfielder Cho So-hyun believes Korea Republic benefited from the numerous challenges that were thrown their way at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2018 after sealing their ticket to next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup with a 5-0 win over the Philippines on Monday
With China PR, Thailand, Australia and Japan already assured of their tickets to France 2019, the Koreans, who finished third in Group B to miss out on automatic qualification, proved too strong for their Southeast Asian opponents as Cho scored twice to ensure a rousing finale to her side’s continental campaign.
“I think it was definitely better that we had to play against very strong teams, matches in which we performed very well,” said Cho, a member of the Korea Republic squad which competed at the last World Cup in Canada.
“I believe those matches against Australia and Japan in the group stage certainly made us stronger (as the competition progressed), and the game against the Philippines, who along with Vietnam are certainly improving, was another great test for us.
“I would like to say a big thanks to my teammates who did their absolute best in this game and throughout the tournament.”
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Amman: Head coach Yoon Duk-yeo was full of praise for his Korea Republic players after they beat the Philippines 5-0 to finish fifth at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2018 and claim Asia’s final spot at next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.
With China PR, Thailand, Australia and Japan already assured of their tickets to France 2019, the Koreans, who finished third in Group B to miss out on automatic qualification, proved too strong for their Southeast Asian opponents as they ended their continental adventure on a high thanks to a flurry of goals either side of the break.
Despite seeing his side fail to capture the nation’s first AFC Women's Asian Cup title, Yoon was nevertheless content with what had been achieved in Jordan.
“Our players did a great job and an excellent performance which helped us qualify for the World Cup,” said the 57-year-old who will be taking his country to a second successive global extravaganza.
“Of course, it would have been much better if we had been in the semi-finals, but all my players gave 100 percent in all the matches and played very well throughout the tournament.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Amman: The five teams who will represent Asia at the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019 have been confirmed following Korea Republic’s 5-0 win over the Philippines in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2018’s 5th-6th play-off on Monday.
Yoon Duk-yeo’s side join Australia, China PR, Japan and Thailand as the Asian sides to qualify for the global extravaganza, which will kick off on June 7, 2019 in Paris and conclude with the final a month later at Parc Olympique Lyonnais in Décines-Charpieu.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Amman: Korea Republic shrugged off the disappointment of group stage elimination to qualify for a second successive FIFA Women’s World Cup, defeating the Philippines 5-0 in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2018’s play-off for fifth place on Monday.
Yoon Duk-yeo’s side will join Australia, Japan, China PR and Thailand as Asian representatives in December’s France 2019 draw after a brace to captain Cho So-hyun and goals to Jang Sel-gi, Lee Min-a, Lim Seon-joo and Cho So-hyun sealed a comprehensive victory.
It was the end of the Philippines’ World Cup odyssey, which began 379 days earlier in Dushanbe, Tajikistan and took the Malditas the closest they have ever come to reaching the global finals, only to fall at the final hurdle.
Following highly creditable displays against both Australia and Japan, Korea Republic were heavily favoured to prevail in the cutthroat play-off, and took the early initiative despite losing Jung Seol-bin to injury in the opening minutes.
Jung’s replacement, Choe Yu-ri, came close to opening the scoring in the 14th minute, having two attempts at goal blocked within a matter of seconds during a goalmouth scramble, as the Southeast Asians doggedly fought to keep their dream alive.
Philippines goalkeeper Kearra Bastes-Jones produced a number of excellent saves to keep the sides level, but after 34 minutes of Korean dominance, it seemed only a matter of time until the East Asians scored, and when they did, it was a goal worth waiting for.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Amman: Thailand boss Nuengrutai Srathongivan has vowed that her side will throw everything at Australia in their AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2018 semi-final, despite having lost star forward Suchawadee Nildhamrong for the remainder of the tournament.
Nuengrutai confirmed Nildhamrong's departure from the squad, but issued a reminder that her side’s impressive performances thus far were not solely down to the 21-year-old’s influence.
“Suchawadee is not only an important footballer, but she is also a university student and we emphasise that as well,” she said, “that’s why we left her to go back to the US and let her finish her final exams so she will be able to join us once again next year.
“Our progress in this tournament is not just about her. Even though we’ve reached our goal of making the semi-finals, we want to improve ourselves and test ourselves against the benchmark to get better and to help prepare ourselves for a tough (World Cup) tournament next year.”
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Amman: Head coach Siggi Eyjolfsson believes his China PR side are more than capable of springing a surprise when they face Japan in the semi-finals of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2018 on Tuesday.
Having guided the Steel Roses to pole position in Group A – as well as a ticket to next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup – the Icelandic tactician and the eight-time Asian champions are now braced for the eagerly anticipated showdown with their regional rivals and defending champions.
Despite the team’s illustrious past and the excellent form China displayed whilst racking up three successive group stage victories, the 1999 World Cup runners-up, by their own admission, enter the game as underdogs. Not that Eyjolfsson is overly concerned.
“Of course, we have a chance against Japan,” he declared.