Women's Olympic Games
To be played over two legs, Uzbekistan host Australia on Saturday while the DPR Korea-Japan will be played in the neutral venue of Jeddah. The-AFC.com takes a look at what's in store for the hopefuls.
Saturday
Uzbekistan v Australia
Venue: Bunyodkor Stadium (Tashkent)
Kick-off: 14:00 (UTC+5)
Venue: Bunyodkor Stadium (Tashkent)
Kick-off: 14:00 (UTC+5)
Uzbekistan emerged as the top second-ranked team after Round 2, having bettered the Philippines on goal difference to reach the final round of the Qualifiers.
The Central Asian team will be led by their top scorer Diyorakhon Khabibullaeva, who netted an impressive nine goals in the previous rounds while Lyudmila Karachik (pictured above) is also another player to look out for.
Australia and Uzbekistan have met only once, with the Matildas triumphing 10-0 in the 2007 encounter.
While Australia will be missing skipper Sam Kerr, Tony Gustavsson’s side will be aiming to secure their fifth appearance at the Olympics.
DPR Korea v Japan
Venue: Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium (Jeddah)
Kick-off: 16:04 (UTC+3)
Venue: Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium (Jeddah)
Kick-off: 16:04 (UTC+3)
DPR Korea finished at the top of their group in the second round with two wins and a draw and will be aiming to qualify for their third Olympic Games, having appeared in the 2008 and 2012 editions.
Japan, however, will start as favourites - having beaten DPR Korea in the 2022 Asian Games final. The Nadeshiko will be chasing a sixth appearance in the Olympics, having suffered a quarter-final exit on home soil in the 2020 edition.
