Preview - Group C: Japan v Spain

Sun, 30 Jul, 2023

Preview - Group C: Japan v Spain

Wellington: Head coach Futoshi Ikeda has reminded his Japan players to stay fully focused when they meet Spain in their final FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group C match on Monday.

The match at the Wellington Regional Stadium will decide the group winners, with both teams having already qualified for the knockout stage after victories against Costa Rica and Zambia.

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Group A: Philippines undone by Norway power show

Sun, 30 Jul, 2023

Group A: Philippines undone by Norway power show

Auckland: The Philippines’ fairytale adventure at their first FIFA Women’s World Cup came to an end following a 6-0 defeat to former champions Norway at Eden Park on Sunday.

Sophie Haug’s quick-fire brace and a rocket from Caroline Graham Hansen gave a dominant Norway a 3-0 half-time lead with the goals continuing to come after the break as Alicia Barker’s own-goal, Guro Reiten’s penalty, and Haug’s third underlined the margin of victory.

A red card for Sofia Harrison put an end to any unlikely comeback for the Philippines as Norway ultimately coasted into the Round of 16 and eliminated the Southeast Asian nation, who finished bottom of Group A. The European side will face either Japan or Spain in the Round of 16 on Saturday. 

Group H: Korea Republic on the brink after defeat to Morocco

Sun, 30 Jul, 2023

Group H: Korea Republic on the brink after defeat to Morocco

Adelaide: Korea Republic’s involvement in the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 was dealt a near fatal blow on Sunday as Colin Bell’s side slipped to a 1-0 loss against tournament debutants Morocco in Adelaide.

Ibtissam Jraidi’s sixth minute header earned the north Africans their first-ever win at a FIFA Women’s World Cup less than a week after suffering a 6-0 defeat against Germany and left the AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ runners-up without a point after two matches in Group H.
 
Bell’s side will face Germany in their final game in Brisbane on Thursday with the Koreans only having a mathematical chance of meeting their pre-tournament target of qualifying for the knockout rounds for the second time in their history.

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.

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.

#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.