Narrow defeats for China PR, Korea Republic in final dress rehearsals

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Narrow defeats for China PR, Korea Republic in final dress rehearsals

Creteil: China PR pushed host nation France before suffering a 2-1 defeat, while Korea Republic conceded late to fall to a 1-0 loss in Sweden as Asia’s FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019 hopefuls continued their pre-tournament build-up on Friday.

FRANCE 2-1 CHINA PR

China PR gave France a scare but were unable to prevent the World Cup hosts from racking up their fifth successive win thanks to a second-half rocket from Kadidiatou Diani.

Diani’s strike – her sixth for France in 2019, and third in two matches following a brace against Thailand last weekend – cancelled out a fine goal scored by Wang Shanshan just moments earlier, after Valêrie Gauvin had given Corinne Diacre’s side a half-time lead.

Five young guns set to shine in France

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Five young guns set to shine in France

Kuala Lumpur: All five of Asia’s representatives at FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019 have their share of top-level international experience, but a legion of a new stars are ready to leave their mark on the game’s biggest stage.

With one week until the Finals, the-AFC.com highlights five talented youngsters, all appearing in their first senior World Cup, to keep an eye on in France.

Takarada called up after injury ends Ueki’s hopes

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Takarada called up after injury ends Ueki’s hopes

Le Tonquet: Japan’s Riko Ueki has been ruled out of FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019 contention after suffering an injury on the eve of the competition, with the 19-year-old replaced by fellow U-20 Women’s World Cup-winner Saori Takarada.

The NTV Beleza youngster reportedly suffered a knock to her right knee playing in a domestic league match on May 19, with the resulting injury unable to be sufficiently recuperated in time for the Finals.

Ueki is seen as a future star for Asako Takakura’s side, having scored the winning goal in their 2017 AFC U-19 Women’s Championship final victory over DPR Korea, before enjoying a breakout tournament at the 2018 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, where she scored five goals in six matches to help Japan to the title.

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.