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Korea Republic's Phair destined to create more history

Sun, 17 Mar, 2024

Korea Republic's Phair destined to create more history

Los Angeles: Casey Phair made history last year when she became the youngest player ever to appear at the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Now, as the 16-year-old Korea Republic forward embarks on the next step in her career with Angel City FC in the United States, she talks to the-AFC.com.

Casey Phair has yet to turn 17 but she already knows what it is like to live her life in the glare of an intense media spotlight.
 
In July last year, aged 16 years and 26 days, the United States-raised striker broke Nigerian Ifeanyi Chiejine’s record to become the youngest player to feature at the FIFA Women’s World Cup when she appeared in Korea Republic’s 2-0 loss against Colombia.

Saudi Arabia well on course to achieve target, says Cortes

Sat, 16 Mar, 2024

Saudi Arabia well on course to achieve target, says Cortes

Kuala Lumpur: In December, Spaniard Lluis Cortes was handed the task of turning Saudi Arabia’s national team inside a side capable of qualifying for the leading tournaments in women’s football. The 2021 UEFA Women’s Coach of the Year tells the-AFC.com about the path that lies ahead.

January 12, 2018 was a significant milestone in the growth of football in Saudi Arabia; on that date women were – for the first time – permitted to attend domestic league matches in person, heralding the relaxation of decades of religious conservatism in the kingdom.

Future bright for women’s football in Asia: Gustavsson

Thu, 05 Oct, 2023

Future bright for women’s football in Asia: Gustavsson

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s efforts towards enhancing women’s football in Asia was further underlined when it conducted the AFC Online Session: Analysis and Discussion of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 on Tuesday to exchange knowledge and analyse the common trends that were noticed at the recently concluded global showpiece. 

With the AFC Women’s Champions League set to be launched in the 2024/25 season, the virtual session witnessed 110 participants from 37 AFC Member Associations (MAs), members of the AFC Technical Panel, as well as guests from CONMEBOL and CAF, convene to chart the way forward for the women’s game in Asia. 

Bonmati pips Kerr, Carmona to UEFA Women's Player of the Year prize

Fri, 01 Sep, 2023

Bonmati pips Kerr, Carmona to UEFA Women's Player of the Year prize

Monaco: Spain's FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023-winning star Aitana Bonmati won the UEFA Women's Player of the Year award at a ceremony in Monaco on Thursday.

She pipped her Spain teammate Olga Carmona, scorer of the winning goal in the World Cup final against England, and Chelsea and Australia striker Sam Kerr to win the UEFA prize.

#FIFAWWC: Asia’s unforgettable moments

Fri, 25 Aug, 2023

#FIFAWWC: Asia’s unforgettable moments

Kuala Lumpur: It was the FIFA Women’s World Cup that elevated the women’s game to unprecedented heights with incredible drama on the pitch and record numbers of spectators off it as Australia & New Zealand 2023 left a lasting legacy. 

For Asia’s six representatives there were unforgettable performances, huge upsets, individual accolades and much more as the continent’s sides were involved in some of the most talked-about matches of the tournament. 
 
The-AFC.com looks back at Asia's best moments from a World Cup that delivered on a spectacular level. 

The Asians who shone at #FIFAWWC

Wed, 23 Aug, 2023

The Asians who shone at #FIFAWWC

Kuala Lumpur: The curtains came down on the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 on Sunday after the tournament saw a record overall attendance of more than 1.9 million in the stands and Spain crowned the new world champions on the pitch after beating England in the final. 

The tournament was also a landmark event for Asian football as co-hosts Australia won hearts as they battled their way into the semi-finals while former world champions Japan inflicted a stunning 4-0 defeat on eventual winners Spain and both the Philippines and Vietnam debuted. 
 
With the dust now settled on the ninth edition of the tournament, the-AFC.com takes a look at the players that stood out from each of the record six nations that represented Asia at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023. 

#FIFAWWC in Numbers

Tue, 22 Aug, 2023

#FIFAWWC in Numbers

Sydney: The FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 drew to a close on Sunday as Spain were crowned champions following a 1-0 victory over England at Stadium Australia.

A gripping final provided the perfect ending to a World Cup that captured the imagination of the whole of Australia and football fans around the world as the tournament delivered unforgettable matches, individual performances of the highest quality and endless drama.
 
From full stadiums, to scoring feats and much more, the-AFC.com looks back at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in numbers.

Grandest-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand lauded by Shaikh Salman

Mon, 21 Aug, 2023

Grandest-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand lauded by Shaikh Salman

Kuala Lumpur: Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has praised Football Australia, New Zealand Football, the Local FIFA Subsidiary and FIFA for staging the best ever FIFA Women’s World Cup edition to date whilst also hailing Asian teams and officials for their admirable displays at the global showpiece.

Australia’s historic fourth-place finish was Asia’s best showing at the FIFA Women’s World Cup since Japan’s runners-up finish in the 2015 edition in Canada, whilst the Nadeshiko also performed commendably before bowing out to Sweden in the Quarter-finals.

#FIFAWWC: Asia in Review

Sun, 20 Aug, 2023

#FIFAWWC: Asia in Review

Sydney: The curtains came down on the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 on Sunday with Spain lifting the title for the very first time in their history.

Despite the trophy eluding Asia, it was a successful outing for the continent's six representatives so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at how they fared.

Japan's Miyazawa claims Golden Boot

Sun, 20 Aug, 2023

Japan's Miyazawa claims Golden Boot

Sydney: Japan's Hinata Miyazawa claimed the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Golden Boot award following the conclusion of the tournament on Sunday.

Although Japan were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Sweden, Miyazawa's five goals saw her emerge topscorer.
 
It is a richly deserved award, with the midfielder emerging as one of the success stories of the tournament.

Spain edge England to win title for the first time

Sun, 20 Aug, 2023

Spain edge England to win title for the first time

Sydney: Spain won the FIFA Women's World Cup for the first time in their history with skipper Olga Carmona sweeping in the only goal for a deserved 1-0 victory over England in Sunday's final.

In front of a crowd of nearly 76,000 at Stadium Australia in Sydney, Spain were the more accomplished side and had more chances, including missing a second-half penalty.
 
Spain's triumph is vindication for Jorge Vilda and the Spanish football federation, who stuck with the head coach even after 15 players last year said they no longer wanted to represent their country under him.
 
England head coach Sarina Wiegman, who has now suffered back-to-back defeats in the final, and her European champions can have few complaints.

Miyazawa to Bonmati: Players of the tournament

Sat, 19 Aug, 2023

Miyazawa to Bonmati: Players of the tournament

Sydney: The FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand concludes on Sunday with either Spain or England to be crowned first time champions. 

It has been a hugely successful tournament with numerous players standing out. We take a look at five of the best.