When Australia lined up to meet continental rivals Japan at the US-based Tournament of Nations last July, Sam Kerr took the field with a career tally of eight international goals since making her debut in 2009.

Kerr would go on to score a hat-trick that afternoon, marking the beginning of a record-breaking run in which she amassed 12 goals in her next seven international matches, in addition to dominant domestic performances in both the US and Australia.

With the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in her focus, Kerr spoke to the-AFC.com about her amazing rise, scoring in the final as teenager in 2010 and being drawn against mighty Japan in Group B.

As the highest-ranked team in Asia (sixth in the world), Alen Stajcic’s side will start warm favourites for the tournament in Jordan next week.

As well as securing some more silverware, the tournament also doubles as qualifiers for the FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019, with the top five teams at the AFC Asian Cup Jordan 2018 to book their ticket to France.

For over a decade Dang Thi Kieu Trinh has been an ever-present figure at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup.

Since making her competition finals debut against a Homare Sawa-inspired Japan in 2006, the goalkeeper, now a veteran at 32, has featured in every edition of the tournament since and seen her side consistently improve.

That improvement almost culminated in a place at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, but Vietnam fell agonisingly short, losing 2-1 to regional rivals Thailand the winner-take-all playoff for fifth at the 2014 Women’s Asian Cup in Ho Chi Minh City.

This time around, the Vietnamese Golden Ball winner is motivated to go one better.

“The memories of that match are unhappy ones as we did not perform well and missed the chance to reach the World Cup,” she said.

“We consider the loss of that playoff game as our motivation to play well in Jordan.”

Headlined by host nation Jordan, Group A also features eight-time winners China, Southeast Asian champions Thailand and the Philippines, who are returning the Asia’s elite women’s football championship for the first time since 2003.

The return of China PR goalkeeper Zhao Lina is the standout detail of today’s announcements, after the star custodian had announced her international retirement following January’s Four Nations Tournament.

Elsewhere, Philippines boss Rabah Benlarbi has selected a vastly different squad than the one which represented the Malditas in the qualifiers. The final playing list features a strong representation of US-based players, including six who currently play their football in the American college system.

AFC Women’s Asian Cup squads are entitled to replace any player up until six hours before their opening match.

 

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL SQUAD LIST OF GROUP A.

2017 AFC Women’s Player of the Year Sam Kerr headlines Alen Stajcic’s star-studded Australian team, while Japan, Korea Republic and Vietnam can all boast continental stars of their own in a group that promises to deliver memorable matches.

While Kerr’s dominant year at club and international level has made global headlines, the forward is just one of many weapons in a Matildas squad full of talent, depth and major tournament experience.

Reigning champions Japan will arrive in Amman with a mix of youth and experience. The veteran quartet of Saki Kumagai, Aya Sameshima, Rumi Utsugi and Mizuho Sakaguchi have collectively amassed 400 international caps, while forwards Kumi Yokoyama and Mina Tanaka will look to leave their mark on a major tournament for the Nadeshiko.

Korea Republic’s world class midfielder Ji So-yun is ably supported by Lee Min-a and captain Cho So-hyun, while Vietnam will look to the goals of talented striker Huynh Nhu as they aim for the first ever AFC Women’s Asian semi-final appearance.

AFC Women’s Asian Cup squads are entitled to replace any player up until six hours before their opening match.

 

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL SQUAD LIST OF GROUP B.

The AFC Women's Asian Cup Jordan 2018 is the Continent's final qualifier for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 and Yoon said it is imperative for Korea Republic to seal a second consecutive appearance at the global tournament.

"It's very important for us to make two consecutive World Cup appearances," Yoon said at the Korea Republic training base in Paju. "We hope we can deliver a good performance for the fans who support women's football."

At the AFC Women's Asian Cup Jordan 2018, Korea Republic are in Group B along with defending champions Japan, Australia and Vietnam.

The top five teams in the AFC Women's Asian Cup Jordan 2018 will qualify for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2019.

With over 70 international caps under her belt at the age of just 23, the Steel Roses star playmaker has established herself as the team’s key player with a series of blistering performances.

A veteran of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the Rio Olympics, the 2017 Chinese Women’s Footballer of the Year is set to make her AFC Women’s Asian Cup debut against Thailand in Amman next Friday.

In an exclusive chat, Wang sheds light on her preparations, her partnership with striker Wang Shanshan and her excitement at training alongside women’s football icon Sun Wen.