ALGARVE CUP

CHINA PR 1-3 NORWAY

China PR's seven-game international winning streak came to an abrupt end, as a horror first half saw Jia Xiuquan's side fall to a 3-1 loss at the hands of Norway in their first match at the Algarve Cup in Portugal.

Wang Shanshan managed a late consolation goal for China, but their defeat is the heaviest since Jia took over as head coach last May, and the first time they have conceded three in a match since their 2018 AFC Women's Asian Cup semi-final defeat to Japan.

AUSTRALIA 2-0 NEW ZEALAND

Goals from Emily Gielnik and the returning Hayley Raso gave the Matildas a positive start to life under Milicic, as the sixth-ranked Australians beat New Zealand 2-0 at Leichhardt Oval on Thursday.

Gielnik's 44th minute opener set the wheels in motion for the Matildas, before substitute Raso put the icing on the cake with a quarter of an hour remaining in her first game back in the green gold since suffering a serious back injury last October.

It took until the dying seconds for Asako Takakura's side to secure their point, with Yuka Momiki's stoppage time equaliser denying the Americans, who had appeared set for victory when Alex Morgan put them 2-1 up with less than 15 minutes remaining.

With Rikako Kobayashi and Arisa Matsubara both appearing for the first time on the senior international stage, Japan began the match on the back foot, but burst into life just after the 10-minute mark, when Kumi Yokoyama's effort hit the woodwork.

The Southeast Asians were far too strong for their European opponents in the Group B clash, scoring twice in each half to cruise to victory in their first ever outing in the tournament.

Midfielder Rattikan Thongsombut (pictured above) gave Nuengrutai Srathongvian's side an 11th-minute lead, before 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup hero Orathai Srimanee scored in the final minute of the first half to make it 2-0 at the break.

Rattikan added her second and Thailand's third in the 49th minute before US-born forward Suchawadee Nildhamrong completed the rout with four minutes remaining, ensuring the Chaba Kaew will be full of confidence in Friday's meeting with Mexico, who lost 5-0 to Italy.

Collectively, the Continent's five World Cup representatives will compete in Australia, the United States, Portugal and Cyprus, giving players one of their final opportunities to impress ahead of June's global showpiece.

Team by team, and tournament by tournament, the-AFC.com looks at the ins and outs of a significant week on the road to France.

Japan, Australia, China PR, Thailand and Korea Republic are the nations to have survived the qualification tightrope, earning the chance to emulate Asia's heroes from tournaments past.

With 100 days until the opening of France 2019, the-AFC.com celebrates the Continent's proud history at the biggest event of the women's game, by reliving some of Asia's brightest days at the FIFA Women's World Cup.

In one of his first major decisions as boss, Milicic selected Kerr as captain and defender Steph Catley as vice-captain on the eve of the Cup of Nations tournament, which begins in Sydney on Thursday.

The shift to a permanent captain and vice-captain is in contrast to Australia's approach in recent years, where the role has been shared among a number senior players, with a different player wearing the armband in each of the side's five matches at last April's AFC Women's Asian Cup in Jordan.

Kerr's selection comes after a stunning two years for club and country, which have seen her become one of the world's brightest attacking stars, earning a litany of individual accolades, including AFC Women's Player of the Year in 2017.