Netherlands end South Africa's dream run

Sun, 06 Aug, 2023

Netherlands end South Africa's dream run

Sydney: The Netherlands set up a heavyweight FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 quarter-final with Spain after ending South Africa's historic run with a 2-0 victory on Sunday.

The 2019 runners-up were efficient rather than scintillating in front of 40,000 in Sydney to ensure they would not become the latest victim of a shock at the tournament.
 
Jill Roord scored after nine minutes to put the Dutch on their way against a team ranked 45 places below them and featuring in the knockout rounds for the first time.
 
South Africa goalkeeper Kaylin Swart then made a mess of an innocuous Lineth Beerensteyn shot midway through the second half to gift the Dutch a second.

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Ikeda produces another Nadeshiko masterpiece

Sun, 06 Aug, 2023

Ikeda produces another Nadeshiko masterpiece

Wellington: Futoshi Ikeda did it again as Japan outfoxed Norway to advance to the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 quarter-finals on Saturday.

Just as he did in the the emphatic group stage win over Spain, Ikeda's ability to get his players to change tactics paid off handsomely at the Wellington Regional Stadium as the Nadeshiko outwitted Norway 3-1 to set up a meeting with either Sweden or defending champions the United States in Auckland on Friday. 

Japan will be tough to beat: Norway coach

Sat, 05 Aug, 2023

Japan will be tough to beat: Norway coach

Wellington: Norway head coach Hege Riise said Japan will be hard to beat at the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 after the 2011 champions powered into the quarter-finals on Saturday with a 3-1 win.

Japan will face either defending champions the United States or Sweden in the last eight after outplaying Norway in Wellington.

Brilliant Bonmati emerges as Spain's leader

Sun, 06 Aug, 2023

Brilliant Bonmati emerges as Spain's leader

Auckland: Doubts were raised about Spain's ability to go far at the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023  without a fully fit Alexia Putellas, but Aitana Bonmati's starring role in their 5-1 demolition of Switzerland showed that they are not over-reliant on the current Ballon d'Or.

By the time Putellas came off the bench in the 77th minute on Saturday, the last-16 tie at Eden Park in Auckland was already over, Bonmati having scored two goals and set up two more in a masterful display.
 
Spain are in a Women's World Cup quarter-final for the first time in their history despite the fact Putellas has so far been used sparingly in New Zealand.

Asia’s Group Stage in Numbers

Fri, 04 Aug, 2023

Asia’s Group Stage in Numbers

Sydney: The group stage of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand drew to a close on Thursday with two of Asia’s representatives progressing and four bowing out.

As co-hosts Australia and Japan now prepare for their Round of 16 encounters, China PR, Korea Republic, the Philippines and Vietnam will depart Australia and New Zealand.
 
Ahead of the knockout rounds kicking off on Saturday, the-AFC.com looks back at Asia’s group stage in numbers.