Kerr to be given until last minute to prove fitness

Fri, 28 Jul, 2023

Kerr to be given until last minute to prove fitness

Brisbane: Australia's captain Sam Kerr will be given until the last minute to prove her fitness for their must-win FIFA Women's World Cup clash against Canada on Monday, head coach Tony Gustavsson says.

The prolific striker missed Australia's opening two games - a 1-0 win over Ireland and Thursday's shock 3-2 loss to Nigeria - with a calf injury.
 
With the co-hosts' hopes of reaching the last 16 now in jeopardy, Gustavsson is desperate to have the Chelsea forward available.

Gustavsson remains optimistic of Australia’s chances

Thu, 27 Jul, 2023

Gustavsson remains optimistic of Australia’s chances

Brisbane: Head coach Tony Gustavsson is confident Australia will turn the corner in their final FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group B match against Canada on Monday.

Thursday's disappointing 3-2 defeat against Nigeria left Australia, who slipped to third in the standings, facing the possibility of an early World Cup exit.

Vietnam will learn and improve, says Mai

Thu, 27 Jul, 2023

Vietnam will learn and improve, says Mai

Hamilton: Vietnam's FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 hopes may have ended on Thursday but head coach Mai Duc Chung said the experience his players have gained can only mean good for the development of the sport in the Southeast Asian country.

Goals by Telma Encarnacao and Kika Nazareth secured Portugal a 2-0 win at the Waikato Stadium as Vietnam fell to their second defeat, having lost 3-0 to defending world champions the United States in their opening Group E match.

Preview - Group D: China PR v Haiti

Thu, 27 Jul, 2023

Preview - Group D: China PR v Haiti

Adelaide: Shui Qingxia does not want her China PR team to rest on their status as AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ holders as they prepare to take on Haiti in a must-win clash at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 in Adelaide on Friday.

The Steel Roses go into the game needing all three points after a last-gasp defeat at the hands of Denmark in Perth in their tournament opener on Saturday, and Shui is urging her team to focus on their vital meeting with the Haitians rather than back at their continental success.

Ikeda: Positive energy powering Japan

Thu, 27 Jul, 2023

Ikeda: Positive energy powering Japan

Dunedin: Japan are looking forward to locking horns with Spain after both teams booked their places in the knockout stage of the FIFA Women's World Australia & New Zealand 2023 on Wednesday.

Japan defeated Costa Rica 2-0 and their Round of 16 berth was confirmed after Spain beat Zambia 5-0, with both teams taking their points haul to six.
 
They meet in Wellington on Monday to decide the group winners, with Spain currently ahead on goal difference. 

Teams learn Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2 opponents

Thu, 27 Jul, 2023

Teams learn Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2 opponents

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

The 36 sides were drawn into nine groups of four, and they will compete against each team in a home-and-away round-robin format, between November 2023 and June 2024. 

Ten of the Round 2 teams will progress from Round 1 of the Preliminary Joint Qualification, with the draw conducted earlier on Thursday. As there will be 48 teams – a first – at the FIFA World Cup 2026, eight and a half slots are on offer for the Continent’s national teams. 

Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 1 Draw Finalised

Thu, 27 Jul, 2023

Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 1 Draw Finalised

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

A total 20 teams were divided into 10 pairings, with each pair to play one home and one away match on October 12 and 17, 2023 respectively.