Preview - S-final: Australia v England

Wed, 16 Aug, 2023

Preview - S-final: Australia v England

Sydney: Head coach Tony Gustavsson believes there is no margin for error when Australia face England in their FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 semi-final at Stadium Australia on Wednesday.

Both teams will meet for the first time in the competition with Australia having a psychological advantage after defeating England 2-0 in a recent friendly with Gustavsson confident his team will be prepared to face the unbeaten European champions  who have scored 10 goals in the tournament.

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SF - Australia v England: Facts & Figures

Tue, 15 Aug, 2023

SF - Australia v England: Facts & Figures

Sydney: Not a single empty seat is expected at Stadium Australia when Australia face England in their FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 semi-final on Wednesday.

Both teams are bidding to lift the trophy for the first time and ahead of the highly-anticipated last four clash, the-AFC.com takes a look at some interesting facts and figures. 

Instant Australian 'national hero' Arnold ready to deny England

Mon, 14 Aug, 2023

Instant Australian 'national hero' Arnold ready to deny England

Sydney: Mackenzie Arnold wasn't even Australia's first-choice goalkeeper until recently, but is now being hailed as a national hero and stands in England's way in their FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand semi-final on Wednesday.

Arnold played a central role in the penalty drama on Saturday which sent co-hosts Australia into the last four of the World Cup for the first time.
 
She saved three penalty kicks - and missed one of her own - to help propel the Matildas to a thrilling 7-6 shootout win over France in the quarter-finals.
 
It has been a whirlwind few months for the 29-year-old.

Gustavsson hails Kerr’s amazing impact

Mon, 14 Aug, 2023

Gustavsson hails Kerr’s amazing impact

Brisbane: Head coach Tony Gustavsson praised Sam Kerr for providing Australia the much needed motivation to see off France in the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 quarter-finals on Saturday.

Kerr came on as a substitute, replacing Emily van Egmond in the 55th minute and played the most number of minutes since picking up a calf injury that has affected her tournament.
 
Her introduction lifted the team as they held France to a 0-0 stalemate after 120 minutes before going on to inspire the Matildas to secure a 7-6 penalty shootout win.

Winning starts for Al Ittihad, Al Hilal; Al Nassr edged by Al Ettifaq

Tue, 15 Aug, 2023

Winning starts for Al Ittihad, Al Hilal; Al Nassr edged by Al Ettifaq

Riyadh: Al Ittihad kicked off their defence of the Saudi Pro League title with an impressive 3-0 win over Al Raed on Monday.

Al Hilal SFC, aiming to regain the trophy after a third-placed finish in 2022-23, scored a 3-1 win over Abha but Al Nassr fell to a 2-1 defeat against Al Ettifaq despite Sadio Mane scoring on his debut. 

AFC Executive Committee approves biggest prize purse in Asian club football history from 2024/25; announces AFC Women’s Champions League

Mon, 14 Aug, 2023

AFC Executive Committee approves biggest prize purse in Asian club football history from 2024/25; announces AFC Women’s Champions League

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Executive Committee today heralded a new era for Asian club football by unveiling the names of the three new club competitions alongside significant increases in funding for the 76 Participating Teams, as well as announcing the introduction of the AFC Women’s Champions League.

The three groundbreaking initiatives, which are aimed at propelling Asian football to new heights and fostering greater growth and inclusivity, will take effect from the 2024-2025 season.