Group F: France edge Brazil to boost hopes

Sat, 29 Jul, 2023

Group F: France edge Brazil to boost hopes

Brisbane: Captain Wendie Renard struck a late winner as France kickstarted their FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand campaign with a 2-1 win over Brazil in a heavyweight Group F clash in Brisbane on Saturday.

After a lacklustre 0-0 draw with Jamaica in their opening game, France defied the Brazilian team and most of the 49,378 crowd to secure three vital points ahead of their final group match against tournament debutants Panama.
 
The French, who controlled much of the game, took an early lead through veteran striker Eugenie Le Sommer.
 
Brazil hit back to equalise in the second half through Debinha, but Renard appeared at the back post to head in an 83rd-minute winner from a corner.

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/2969982.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/2969984.html

Group G: Five-star Sweden beat Italy to reach last 16

Sun, 30 Jul, 2023

Group G: Five-star Sweden beat Italy to reach last 16

Wellington: Towering defender Amanda Ilestedt scored twice with her head to help Sweden to a 5-0 defeat of Italy on Saturday and a berth in the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand last 16.

A tight contest was blown open in a seven-minute spell late in the first half when the third-ranked Swedes found the net three times, through Ilestedt, Fridolina Rolfo and Stina Blackstenius.
 
Arsenal centre-back Ilestedt bagged her second soon after the interval to give her three goals for the tournament - all headers from corners - including a late match-winner in their opening 2-1 defeat of South Africa.
 
Substitute Rebecka Blomqvist rounded out the rout in stoppage time in front of nearly 30,000 in Wellington.

#AsianQualifiers draw - What They Said

Sat, 29 Jul, 2023

#AsianQualifiers draw - What They Said

Kuala Lumpur: The Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 1 and Round 2 draw for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ was conducted at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday.

Kuala Lumpur: The Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 1 and Round 2 draw for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ was conducted at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday.

Kerr declares herself fit for critical Canada clash

Sat, 29 Jul, 2023

Kerr declares herself fit for critical Canada clash

Brisbane: Australia captain Sam Kerr has declared herself available for the co-hosts' must-win FIFA Women's World Cup Group B clash against Canada on Monday after a calf injury.

The prolific striker missed their opening two matches as Australia beat the Republic of Ireland 1-0 but then lost 3-2 to Nigeria in a blow to their hopes of reaching the last 16.

Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli sign Mahrez, appoint Jaissle as head coach

Sat, 29 Jul, 2023

Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli sign Mahrez, appoint Jaissle as head coach

Paris: Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli on Friday named Matthias Jaissle as their new head coach, the young German moving from Austrian champions RB Salzburg.

"Our new football manager: Matthias Jaissle, welcome," the club posted on social media, hours after unveiling Manchester City forward Riyad Mahrez as their latest signing.

Shui: Half-time team talk inspired Steel Roses to victory

Sat, 29 Jul, 2023

Shui: Half-time team talk inspired Steel Roses to victory

Adelaide: China PR head coach Shui Qingxia credited her half-time team talk with helping her side overcome Zhang Rui’s red card and hand Haiti a 1-0 defeat in Adelaide on Friday that keeps the Steel Roses’ FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 campaign alive.

Substitute Wang Shuang scored from the penalty spot in the 74th minute at Hindmarsh Stadium as the short-handed Chinese picked up a win over the tournament debutants to set up a decisive clash with England after Zhang was sent-off in the 28th minute.

The result pulls the Chinese level on three points in Group D with Denmark with one round of matches remaining and Shui’s side need a win over the European champions, who lead the group with six points, on Tuesday to harbour hopes of advancing to the last 16.