Annis to lead Philippines' challenge

Sun, 09 Jul, 2023

Annis to lead Philippines' challenge

Sydney: Philippines head coach Alen Stajcic has named his 23-player squad for the country’s first-ever appearance at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, with Tahnai Annis captaining the side that will feature in Australia & New Zealand 2023 later this month.

The Filipinas will begin their campaign against Switzerland in Dunedin on July 21 before taking on co-hosts New Zealand in Wellington on July 25 and finishing off their Group A commitments in Auckland against Norway.

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Asia at the FIFA Women’s World Cup: 2010s

Fri, 07 Jul, 2023

Asia at the FIFA Women’s World Cup: 2010s

Kuala Lumpur: The excitement is building as the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 draws ever nearer to the opening ceremony on July 20 as a record six Asian nations prepare to compete at the festival of football. 

With the clocking ticking down, the-AFC.com continues its trip down memory lane to look at the Asian teams’ performance through the years, this time by shining the spotlight on the 2010s. 
 
The undoubted highlight was Japan’s crowning glory in 2011, while knockout round appearances for Australia, China PR and Korea Republic, as well as a debut for Thailand, were also notable. 

Asia at the FIFA Women’s World Cup: 2000s

Sat, 08 Jul, 2023

Asia at the FIFA Women’s World Cup: 2000s

Kuala Lumpur: As the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand rapidly approaches its big kick-off on July 20, the-AFC.com continues to look back through the decades at how Asian teams have performed at the global showpiece. 

This time, we reflect on the 2000s, which saw two more knockout round appearances for China PR, DPR Korea breaking new ground, Australia representing the Asian Football Confederation for the first time and Japanese legend Homare Sawa scoring her first World Cup goals. 

Asia at the FIFA Women’s World Cup: 1990s

Wed, 05 Jul, 2023

Asia at the FIFA Women’s World Cup: 1990s

Kuala Lumpur: The FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 will get underway on July 20 with 32 national teams, of which a record six are representing Asia, fighting for the coveted prize as the tournament returns for its ninth edition.  

Along with co-hosts and world No. 10 Australia, 2011 champions Japan, former finalists and reigning Asian champions China PR, AFC Asian Cup™ 2022 runners-up Korea Republic and debutants Vietnam and the Philippines are set to feature in the competition. 
 
As we get ever closer to the big event, the-AFC.com takes a look back at how Asian teams have performed in the FIFA Women’s World Cup over the last three decades. We start with the 1990s during which the continent hosted the inaugural edition and pulled off a string of impressive results. 

Shui: China PR ready to compete with the best

Sat, 08 Jul, 2023

Shui: China PR ready to compete with the best

Qingdao: China PR head coach Shui Qingxia featured in the very first FIFA Women’s World Cup match as a player and now she’s aiming to return her nation to former glory from the touchline.

Late on a mid-November evening in 1991, a 20-metre high Fenghuang (a mythical, phoenix-like creature), trailed by dozens of smaller ones, strode across the pitch at the Tianhe Stadium in Guangzhou in front of 60,000 spectators. It was the start of an enduring love affair between China PR and the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Kumagai relying on championship DNA to carry Japan's hopes

Thu, 06 Jul, 2023

Kumagai relying on championship DNA to carry Japan's hopes

Chiba: As the last remaining player to have experienced Japan's 2011 triumph, Saki Kumagai is set to shoulder her country once again in the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia-New Zealand 2023 – but with plenty at stake.

There’s a lot riding on the shoulders of the Nadeshiko captain, from having to carry her team at the fast-approaching Women’s World Cup to passing on the 2011 championship DNA to the next generation of Nadeshikos and to playing for her long-time friend Mana Iwabuchi, who did not make the cut for Australia-New Zealand.

Wang Shanshan leads China PR squad

Thu, 06 Jul, 2023

Wang Shanshan leads China PR squad

Qingdao: Wang Shanshan is among six players who will be appearing in their third FIFA Women’s World Cup named in the China PR squad for their Australia & New Zealand 2023 challenge.

Also included were Wu Haiyan, Lou Jiahui, Zhang Rui, Gu Yasha and Wang Shuang, as head coach Shui Qingxia opted for a mixed squad for their Group D challenge against European champions England, Denmark and Haiti.

US-born Phair among young talents in Korea Republic’s new-look side

Wed, 05 Jul, 2023

US-born Phair among young talents in Korea Republic’s new-look side

Seoul: Korea Republic head coach Colin Bell has included 16-year-old United States-born striker Casey Phair in his 23-player squad for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023.

Phair joins captain Ji So-yun and goalkeeper Kim Jung-mi in an otherwise experienced squad after impressing at youth level for the Koreans and Bell stressed the forward has been included in his squad on merit.

Tuyet Dung, Huynh Nhu to lead Vietnam's debut campaign

Tue, 04 Jul, 2023

Tuyet Dung, Huynh Nhu to lead Vietnam's debut campaign

Hanoi: Vietnam head coach Mai Duc Chung has finalised his squad of 23 players for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023, their first ever appearance at the Finals.

Duc Chung will be counting on the presence of two long-serving stalwarts of Vietnam women’s football in midfielder Nguyen Thi Tuyet Dung and record goalscorer forward Huynh Nhu to lead the team in their Group E challenge.

Kerr spearheads experienced Australia squad

Mon, 03 Jul, 2023

Kerr spearheads experienced Australia squad

Sydney: Australia head coach Tony Gustavsson has selected Lydia Williams and Clare Polkinghorne as well as injured duo Kyah Simon and Alanna Kennedy in his 23-player squad for the Matildas’ co-hosting of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 later this month.

Williams and Polkinghorne have become the first Australian players – male or female – to be selected for a fifth FIFA World Cup while Chelsea striker Sam Kerr will captain the team at what will be her fourth Finals.