It’s My Game - Rocky: India 2022 will inspire the nation 

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

It’s My Game - Rocky: India 2022 will inspire the nation 

Kuala Lumpur: In the latest Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) ‘It’s My Game’ episode, Maymol Rocky, the first female head coach of the Indian women’s national team, highlights her expectations for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022 and how it will transform the landscape of women’s football in the country.

Like most women footballers in her country, Rocky, an AFC Coach Education Panel member, started her sports career in athletics. “Football was my second sport but in Goa, if you could run, then you can play football,” said Rocky.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/it’s_my_game_-_rocky.html

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Tokyo Olympics – Preview: The time is now as Japan's Nadeshiko prepare to bloom

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Tokyo Olympics – Preview: The time is now as Japan's Nadeshiko prepare to bloom

Tokyo: A global powerhouse of the women’s game in the first half of the 2010s, Japan’s rebuild has often been focused on performing at their home Olympics in Tokyo. Now it’s time to deliver.

In the third of our Asian team previews ahead of the football action at this summer’s games, the-AFC.com runs the rule over Asian champions Japan, whose squad combines big-stage experience with outstanding young talent.

Tokyo Olympics – Preview: Youthful China PR aim to spring major surprise

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Tokyo Olympics – Preview: Youthful China PR aim to spring major surprise

Tokyo: Every one of the 11,000 athletes converging on Japan for these most unique of Olympic Games will have overcome some form of adversity, but few will have travelled a road to Tokyo as challenging as the one navigated by the Chinese women’s national team.

In the second of our pre-Olympic previews, join the-AFC.com as we run the rule over Jia Xiuquan’s side who, having performed minor miracles to reach Tokyo 2020, will be determined to challenge a pair of heavyweights in Group G.

Nadeshiko edge Matildas in final pre-Olympic hit-out

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Nadeshiko edge Matildas in final pre-Olympic hit-out

Kyoto: Japan will kick-off their Tokyo 2020 women’s football campaign with their winning streak intact after the Asian champions defeated Australia 1-0 in each side’s final pre-tournament hit-out on Wednesday.

Mana Iwabuchi’s 54th-minute penalty kick separated the two sides, who will begin their respective Olympic campaigns next Wednesday.

The result stretches Japan’s winning streak to five ahead their opening Olympic clash against Canada, while Australia will begin their campaign against New Zealand having failed to win any of their five matches under new boss Tony Gustavsson.

Tokyo Olympics - Preview: Australia's new era faces first major test under Gustavsson

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Tokyo Olympics - Preview: Australia's new era faces first major test under Gustavsson

Tokyo: A year later than planned, the Tokyo 2020 Olympics are finally within sight, with seven Asian football teams chasing gold across the men’s and women’s competitions.

Before the football action begins on July 21, the-AFC.com is here to tell all you need to know about the continent’s contenders, including their road to Tokyo, their star players and what to expect from their opponents.

The first team in our series is Asia’s highest ranked women’s national team, and the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup co-hosts, Australia, who will be eager to begin a new era in style under head coach Tony Gustavsson.

New venues for AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ confirmed 

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

New venues for AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ confirmed 

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ Local Organising Committee (LOC) have today confirmed the Mumbai Football Arena – Andheri Sports Complex, Mumbai and the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Balewadi, Pune as the new venues and host cities for the Continent’s premier women’s national team competition.

The decision was confirmed taking into careful consideration the existing challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and as part of efforts to minimise the travelling time for teams and officials between the venues, whilst ensuring the optimum environment to implement the Bio Medical Bubble for the benefit of all stakeholders.

Heavyweights, hopefuls and key matches: Examining the AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifying draw 

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Heavyweights, hopefuls and key matches: Examining the AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifying draw 

Kuala Lumpur: It’s just the first step on the road to glory on both the Asian and world stages, but there will be no shortage of drama, or quality, when 28 teams vie for the eight remaining places in AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022.

Drawn into eight groups at AFC House on Thursday, the 28 hopefuls will need to win their respective sections to join Japan, Australia, China PR and hosts India in the Finals, setting up several mouth-watering clashes.

Join the-AFC.com as we pick apart the matches ahead and whet the appetite for a super September of high stakes action.