East Asia Wrap: Pohang edge Jeonbuk; Vissel held by Frontale

Mon, 24 Jul, 2023

East Asia Wrap: Pohang edge Jeonbuk; Vissel held by Frontale

Hong Kong: Pohang Steelers consolidated their second place in Korea Republic after a late strike from Lee Ho-jae helped them defeat Dan Petrescu’s Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 2-1 on Friday while defending champions Ulsan Hyundai continue in the lead with a 2-1 defeat of Jeju United. 

In Japan, leaders Vissel Kobe dropped points as they were held to a 2-2 by last season’s runners-up Kawasaki Frontale on Saturday in the only league fixture of the week, but Takayuki Yoshida's side have a slender one-point lead over defending champions Yokohama F. Marinos. 
 
Shanghai Port posted a comprehensive 3-0 win over Cangzhou Mighty Lions to maintain an eight-point lead at the top in China PR while there were also matches taking place in Macau, so join the-AFC.com as we review the week’s action from across East Asia.

Group F: Jamaica frustrate France in goalless draw

Sun, 23 Jul, 2023

Group F: Jamaica frustrate France in goalless draw

Sydney: Manchester City striker Khadija Shaw was sent off late on as Jamaica held fifth-ranked France to a goalless draw at the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 on Sunday.

France were widely expected to advance to the last-16 as Group F winners but after this stalemate to open their title bid that is now in doubt.

Jamaica produced a stirring rearguard action to repel waves of second-half attacks and frustrate the French in front of 39,045 fans at a wet Sydney Football Stadium,

It was a physical and free-flowing affair with three players booked and Shaw shown a red card in the dying minutes for a second silly tackle.

Group E: Netherlands edge out debutants Portugal

Sun, 23 Jul, 2023

Group E: Netherlands edge out debutants Portugal

Portugal: Defender Stefanie van der Gragt scored the only goal as 2019 runners-up the Netherlands beat debutants Portugal 1-0 in their opening game at the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 on Sunday.

Van der Gragt's early header was given following a VAR check after initially being disallowed for offside and the Dutch held on in a Group E contest played under a closed roof in Dunedin.
 
The win sets the Netherlands up nicely for a mouthwatering showdown on Thursday with holders the United States, who beat them 2-0 in the final in France four years ago.

Group G: Sweden fight back to sink South Africa

Sun, 23 Jul, 2023

Group G: Sweden fight back to sink South Africa

Wellington: Sweden fought back and struck late on to grab a 2-1 win over South Africa in their FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand opener on Sunday in the Wellington rain.

The third-ranked Swedes conjured up the winner in the 90th minute through defender Amanda Ilestedt, much to the relief of their fans in the miserable conditions.
 
A goal early in the second half by Hildah Magaia - in which she suffered a match-ending injury - gave the African champions hope of an upset.
 
But that was cancelled out by Barcelona star Fridolina Rolfo soon afterwards, before Ilestedt's late intervention, heading home from close range. It denied South Africa a first point ever at the World Cup.

'No limits' for New Zealand after historic triumph

Sun, 23 Jul, 2023

'No limits' for New Zealand after historic triumph

Auckland: New Zealand "set a new standard" for themselves by winning a FIFA Women's World Cup match for the first time, defender CJ Bott said Sunday, as the co-hosts eye a landmark place in the knockout stages.

The Football Ferns had never won a game in 15 attempts at the Finals before defeating former champions Norway 1-0 in Auckland on Thursday in the opening match of the tournament.
 
Now they face the Philippines on Tuesday knowing that another victory could secure their place in the last 16 even before their final Group A match against Switzerland.

Shui challenges China PR to bounce back

Sun, 23 Jul, 2023

Shui challenges China PR to bounce back

Perth: Head coach Shui Qingxia wants China PR to bounce back from their heartbreaking FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group D opener on Saturday by winning their remaining matches.

With the game seemingly headed for a goalless stalemate, substitute Amalie Vangsgaard stunned China PR in the 89th minute to snatch a vital victory for Denmark in front of a packed Perth Rectangular Stadium on Saturday.

Wiegman demands more ruthless England after narrow Haiti win

Sat, 22 Jul, 2023

Wiegman demands more ruthless England after narrow Haiti win

Brisbane: Sarina Wiegman challenged her England side to be more ruthless after the European champions underwhelmed in a 1-0 win over Haiti to start their FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group D campaign on Saturday.

England are expected to be the main challengers to holders the United States but they looked anything but champions as they laboured to a narrow win over the World Cup debutants in Brisbane.