Preview - Group A: Norway v Philippines

Sat, 29 Jul, 2023

Preview - Group A: Norway v Philippines

Auckland:  Philippines may be on a high but head coach Alen Stajcic has warned his players to be prepared for a fighting Norway when the two teams meet in their final FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group A match on Sunday.

The tournament debutants will go into the tie basking in the glory of having defeated New Zealand on Matchday Two while Norway are still seeking their first win with the European side on one point after two games.

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.

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.

#AsianQualifiers draw - What They Said

Fri, 28 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.

Teams across Asia found out who their opponents are, in the battle to reach the Finals of two of the premier national competitions in the world of football.

the-AFC.com caught up with head coaches Philippe Troussier (Vietnam), Kim Pan-gon (Malaysia) and Aleksandar Jankovic (China PR), who were all in attendance for the draw to find out their reactions to the upcoming Asian Qualifiers that are scheduled to begin on October 12 .