Narumiya eager to do more for Japan

Tue, 25 Jan, 2022

Narumiya eager to do more for Japan

Pune: Yui Narumiya headed into the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ with just one international cap to her name but the Japan midfielder looks set to be one of the revelations of the tournament.

She made her AFC Women’s Asian Cup debut in Japan’s Group C opener against Myanmar on Friday, coming on in the 69th minute and almost immediately scoring their fourth goal in a 5-0 win. 

Three days later, she was in the starting lineup against Vietnam and was once again in her best form - opening the scoring in the 35th minute before sealing an emphatic 3-0 win with her second goal in the 58th minute.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_womens_asian_cup/video/wac2022_-_group_c_|_vietnam_0_-_3_japan.html

Room for improvement, admits Korea Republic’s Bell

Tue, 25 Jan, 2022

Room for improvement, admits Korea Republic’s Bell

Pune: Korea Republic had to fight hard to secure victory against a valiant Myanmar in Group C of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ on Monday and head coach Colin Bell agreed there is still room for improvement as his side set their sights on the quarter-finals. 

Resolute Myanmar defending saw both teams head into the half-time break in a goalless stalemate at the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, but Korea Republic turned on the power after the breather to walk away 2-0 winners. 

Patience was a virtue for Matildas, says Gustavsson

Tue, 25 Jan, 2022

Patience was a virtue for Matildas, says Gustavsson

Mumbai: Australia head coach Tony Gustavsson praised his side’s ability to remain focused in their 4-0 AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ win against the Philippines on Monday.

Fresh from piling on 18 unanswered goals against Indonesia, the Matildas were kept at bay for 50 minutes by a spirited Philippines defence before their class ultimately produced a flurry of goals after half-time.

The result put Australia in the quarter-finals, with a draw or better against Thailand to confirm them as group winners on Thursday, while the Philippines are also likely to reach the knockout stage if they can defeat Indonesia. 

“I couldn’t be prouder” – Philippines' Stajcic delighted despite defeat to Australia

Tue, 25 Jan, 2022

“I couldn’t be prouder” – Philippines' Stajcic delighted despite defeat to Australia

Mumbai: Philippines head coach Alen Stajcic heaped praise on his players after they were gallant in defeat against AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ title chasers Australia on Monday. 

The final score line at Mumbai Football Arena read: Australia 4 Philippines 0, but that went only part of the way towards telling the story of what transpired in the first meeting between the two sides since 2008. 

Hat-trick hero Chetthabutr optimistic of Thailand's chances

Tue, 25 Jan, 2022

Hat-trick hero Chetthabutr optimistic of Thailand's chances

Navi Mumbai: Kanyanat Chetthabutr believes Thailand’s 4-0 win against Indonesia on Monday is the catalyst to power their AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ campaign.

Chetthabutr was in sizzling form at the D.Y. Patil Stadium, scoring a brace in the first half and completing her hat-trick in the second period before Irravadee Makris added the fourth goal as Thailand bounced back from their opening day 1-0 defeat to the Philippines.

Group C: Japan cruise into quarter-finals with win over Vietnam

Tue, 25 Jan, 2022

Group C: Japan cruise into quarter-finals with win over Vietnam

Pune: Defending champions Japan booked their place in the quarter-finals of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ after defeating Vietnam 3-0 in a Group C tie at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Pune on Monday.

The win took Japan to six points from two matches and they, together with Korea Republic - who defeated Myanmar 2-0 earlier on Monday - are assured of a top two finish.

The two East Asian rivals will meet on Thursday to decide top spot while Vietnam will aim to defeat Myanmar in order to stand a chance of claiming one of the two best third-placed slots into the knockout stage.

Group C: Korea Republic beat Myanmar to book knockout stage ticket

Tue, 25 Jan, 2022

Group C: Korea Republic beat Myanmar to book knockout stage ticket

Pune: Korea Republic sealed a place in the quarter-finals of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ on Monday as Colin Bell’s side eked out a 2-0 win over a resolute Myanmar side in Group C at Pune’s Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex.

Lee Geum-min opened the scoring four minutes into the second half and Ji So-yun, the game’s Most Valuable Player, played a major part in the second - an own goal - seven minutes from time, with the Koreans place in the quarter-finals confirmed after  Japan defeated Vietnam 3-0 in Monday’s late game.

Korea Republic will play Japan on Thursday to decide the top spot while Myanmar will have to defeat Vietnam to keep their hopes of advancing as one of the two best third-placed teams alive.