Asian Watch: Thailand arrive, Steel Roses cut to 26, Matildas prepare in Turkey

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Asian Watch: Thailand arrive, Steel Roses cut to 26, Matildas prepare in Turkey

Kuala Lumpur: With the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019 counting clock ticking under the two-week barrier, Asia’s five representatives are nearing the zenith of their pre-tournament preparations.

In this week’s Asian watch; Thailand become the first Asian team to touch down in France, China PR depart Beijing with three cuts still to be made from their squad, and Australia set up camp in Turkey with their biggest star in razor-sharp form.

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Sam Kerr named among women’s football elite

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Sam Kerr named among women’s football elite

London: Australia international Sam Kerr has been rewarded for a stellar 12 months by being named among the world’s top female footballers for 2019 following the announcement of the BBC’s Women’s Player of the Year.

Matildas star Kerr, who plays for Perth Glory and Chicago Red Stars, came a highly creditable third in the poll behind second-placed Pernille Harder and winner Ada Hegerberg who claimed her fourth UEFA Women’s Champions League title with Olympique Lyonnais last Saturday.

China PR ace Sun Wen to play key role with FIFA Technical Study Group

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

China PR ace Sun Wen to play key role with FIFA Technical Study Group

Paris: China PR legend Sun Wen has been named as part of FIFA’s Technical Study Group (TSG) for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup which is set to start on June 7 when host nation France take on Korea Republic.

The world governing body has assembled a select group of experts for its TSG, whose analysis of the 52 matches will comprise a detailed breakdown of the action on the pitch and the identification of potential trends for inclusion in the technical report that will be distributed after the competition.

Steel Roses can be world champions, Jia insists

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Steel Roses can be world champions, Jia insists

Beijing: Jia Xiuquan says there are no limits to what his China PR side can achieve at next month's 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France, revealing his belief that they are good enough to win the tournament for the first time.

Drawn alongside two-time winners Germany as well as South Africa and Spain, most observers do not consider the 16th-ranked Steel Roses among the top contenders, but head coach Jia believes there is no reason his charges can't add a global crown to their eight Asian titles.

Kumagai's Lyon champions of Europe again

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Kumagai's Lyon champions of Europe again

Budapest: Japan national team captain Saki Kumagai has claimed a fourth consecutive UEFA Women's Champions League title, after Olympique Lyonnais earned an emphatic 4-1 win against FC Barcelona in Saturday's final.

Lyon's victory completes a treble following domestic league and cup titles, and gives the French club a record-extending six European titles, all of which have come since 2011.

Stars named in final Korea Republic squad

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Stars named in final Korea Republic squad

Paju: Korea Republic's biggest names survived the final cut as head coach Yoon Duk-yeo announced his squad for the FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019 on Friday. 

Unsurprisingly, UK-based stars Ji So-yun and captain Cho So-hyun both feature in the 23-strong contingent, which also features 10 players from Korean domestic champions Incheon Hyundai Steel Red Angels.

West Ham United's Cho is Korea Republic's most capped international, while Chelsea's Ji - with 53 international goals - is the country's all-time top scorer.

Youngster Fowler named in Matildas squad

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Youngster Fowler named in Matildas squad

Sydney: Mary Fowler's stunning rise to prominence will take her to the biggest event in the women's game, after Australia head coach Ante Milicic named the 16-year-old prodigy in his final squad for the FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019.

The striker's inclusion - which is set to make her Australia's youngest World Cup player - is among the biggest talking points in an otherwise richly-experienced 23-strong squad, which features 15 players to have previously appeared in the tournament and 12 with over 50 international caps.

The teenager's selection comes after four previous appearances for the Matildas - including a substitute appearance in their most recent outing against the United States - as well as seven goals in three matches in last month's 2019 AFC U-19 Women's Championship Qualifiers.