France 2019: How They Qualified

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

France 2019: How They Qualified

Kuala Lumpur: Asia’s FIFA Women’s World Cup-bound quintet are just days away from taking to the biggest stage in the women’s game, and all five them will arrive having earned their place on the world stage.

As the excitement for builds, the-AFC.com looks back to last year’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Jordan, where the Continent’s top five survived the ruthless atmosphere of tournament football to stamp their passports to France 2019.

Asia’s France 2019 squads revealed

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Asia’s France 2019 squads revealed

Kuala Lumpur: The final squads for all 24 teams at the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019 were officially unveiled on Monday, marking one of the final milestones in the build-up to the tournament.

China PR and Thailand were among the Asian sides to have their playing lists confirmed on the final day, after Australia, Korea Republic and Japan had all finalised their squads earlier in May.

Thailand derailed by France's second half rally

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Thailand derailed by France's second half rally

Orléans: A late surge from France saw Thailand fall to a 3-0 defeat in their FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019 warm-up match at Stade de la Source on Saturday.

Thailand kept the world’s fourth-ranked team scoreless in the first half, but Élise Bussaglia gave France the lead just after the hour mark, before substitute Kadidiatou Diani netted a late brace to seal what was ultimately a convincing win.

Nuengrutai Srathongvian’s side will now relocate to Belgium, where they will meet Belgium in a week’s time.

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.

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.

Asian Watch: Squads confirmed, Wang fights for fitness 

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Asian Watch: Squads confirmed, Wang fights for fitness 

Kuala Lumpur: Three weeks remain until Korea Republic and France kick off the biggest tournament in the women's game, and Asia's five FIFA Women's World Cup representatives have had another eventful week on the road to the Finals.

In this week's Asian Watch; Australia and Korea Republic have announced their final squads, and a Paris-bound Thailand are close to the doing the same, while Asako Takakura has reflected on the importance of last April's AFC Women's Asian Cup triumph in Jordan.