Japan receive timely boost with Maeda return

Sun, 23 Jan, 2022

Japan receive timely boost with Maeda return

Tokyo: Celtic striker Daizen Maeda has been included in Hajime Moriyasu’s 23-man squad for Japan’s upcoming AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar meetings with China PR and Vietnam while Takefusa Kubo has returned from injury.

Maeda, who scored on his debut for the Scottish club against Hibernian after moving from J1 League side Yokohama F Marinos, is one of 17 overseas-based players to be selected by Moriyasu as the Samurai Blue look to maintain their winning run in Group B.

Preview - Group A: Chinese Taipei v India

Sun, 23 Jan, 2022

Preview - Group A: Chinese Taipei v India

Navi Mumbai: India and Chinese Taipei will be aiming to boost their AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ Group A campaigns when they clash at the D.Y. Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Sunday.

Both teams will be searching for a victory with India settling for a goalless draw against Islamic Republic of Iran, while Chinese Taipei succumbed to a 4-0 defeat against China PR on Matchday One.

India created plenty of chances against Iran but were denied by goalkeeper Zohreh Koudaei and steely defending while Chinese Taipei had to concede to the superiority of a potent China PR side.

Preview - Group A: IR Iran v China PR

Sun, 23 Jan, 2022

Preview - Group A: IR Iran v China PR

Mumbai:  AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ newcomers Islamic Republic of Iran are set to take on the most successful team in the competition’s history, but Maryam Irandoost is confident her side can challenge China PR when they meet at the Mumbai Football Arena on Sunday.

Team Melli Banovan played the role of spoilers to India’s opening night party on Thursday, defending resolutely, and relying on goalkeeping heroics from Zohreh Koudaei to earn a historic 0-0 draw in Navi Mumbai.
 
In addition to giving the Iranians their first AFC Women’s Asian Cup point, the result engendered a belief that they can compete with the continent’s top sides.

Doing it in India all the more special, says record-breaking Kerr

Sat, 22 Jan, 2022

Doing it in India all the more special, says record-breaking Kerr

Mumbai: Sam Kerr reflected on the achievement of becoming Australia’s top international goal scorer on Indian soil after her side swept to a dominant 18-0 victory over Indonesia in their opening AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ tie at Mumbai Football Arena on Friday. 

The Chelsea superstar helped herself to five goals in her 67 minutes on the pitch, taking her career tally to 54 in international matches, four more than retired Socceroos legend Tim Cahill, who had previously held the record among male or female players. 

Ikeda demands more from Japan despite win over Myanmar

Sat, 22 Jan, 2022

Ikeda demands more from Japan despite win over Myanmar

Pune: Japan kicked off their title defence in fantastic fashion, but head coach Futoshi Ikeda expects to see improvement from his side in Group C of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™. 

Riko Ueki opened the scoring in the first half but Japan only stamped their grip on the game after the break as they scored four more to defeat Myanmar on Friday. 

Bell expects Korea Republic to maintain momentum

Sat, 22 Jan, 2022

Bell expects Korea Republic to maintain momentum

Pune: Korea Republic kicked off their AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ campaign in style with a 3-0 win against Vietnam in Group C on Friday, but head coach Colin Bell wants his charges to go back to basics and fully utilise their strengths. 

The East Asians raced off the blocks at the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex with two goals in the first seven minutes before confirming the three points with an 81st minute strike. 

We badly wanted to beat Thailand, says Philippines match-winner McDaniel

Sat, 22 Jan, 2022

We badly wanted to beat Thailand, says Philippines match-winner McDaniel

Navi Mumbai: The Philippines's victory over Thailand on Friday, said Chandler McDaniel, was due to their desire to end their long winless run against their Southeast Asian rivals.   

The Philippines were locked in a 0-0 stalemate with nine minutes left but McDaniel came to their rescue, firing a low drive that made its way past Thailand goalkeeper Waraporn Boonsing as they got their AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™️ Group B campaign off to a flying start.

The goal was just reward for McDaniel, who burst onto the international scene at the AFC Women's Asian Cup India 2022 qualifiers against Nepal - a game in which she provided assists which contributed to the goals scored by Tahnai Annis and Camille Wilson.