Nakajima joins Urawa

Tue, 25 Jul, 2023

Nakajima joins Urawa

Tokyo: Reigning AFC Champions League™ title holders Urawa Red Diamonds have announced the signing of former Japan international winger Shoya Nakajima.

The 28-year-old, who has played 19 times for Japan, has joined the club on a full transfer after recently completing a season-long stint in Turkey with Antalyaspor.

Vote for your All-time AFC Asian Cup™ Dream XI: Forwards

Fri, 14 Jul, 2023

Vote for your All-time AFC Asian Cup™ Dream XI: Forwards

Kuala Lumpur: With less than six months to go until the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) invites fans to vote for their all-time AFC Asian Cup Dream XI in its latest campaign.

Fans can now view a shortlist of 42 contenders and select their all-time dream squad. The public vote will be combined with those of a panel of football experts to decide the Final Dream XI of the AFC Asian Cup™.

The fan whose squad matches the final selected Dream XI will get the chance to win a trip to the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 with a companion.

Group A: Bolden strike secures Philippines historic win

Tue, 25 Jul, 2023

Group A: Bolden strike secures Philippines historic win

Wellington:  Sarina Bolden scored the only goal of the game as the Philippines created history by claiming their first-ever win at the FIFA Women’s World Cup after a 1-0 victory over co-hosts New Zealand in Group A on Tuesday.

Striker Bolden headed in a cross from Sara Eggesvik in the 24th minute as Alen Stajcic’s Filipinas – the first team, men’s or women’s, to represent their nation in a senior FIFA World Cup – marked the occasion with a historic result at Wellington Regional Stadium.
 
After withstanding intense second-half pressure that included a disallowed New Zealand goal to secure the win, the Philippines will now go into their final group stage game against Norway in Auckland on July 30 with a real chance of progressing to the Round of 16.

Group A: Norway in peril after Swiss draw and injury to Hegerberg

Tue, 25 Jul, 2023

Group A: Norway in peril after Swiss draw and injury to Hegerberg

Hamilton: Norway's hopes of reaching the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 last 16 hang in the balance after they lost star forward Ada Hegerberg to injury before kickoff and were then held 0-0 by Switzerland on Tuesday.

Former Ballon d'Or winner Hegerberg had lined up for the national anthems in Hamilton before heading back towards the dressing room, with Sophie Roman Haug coming in as a last-minute replacement.

The loss just before kick-off of Hegerberg, whose career has been blighted by injuries in recent years, was a huge blow to Norway. It was also a disappointment for the 10,769 fans who showed up on a cold, wet and miserable night on New Zealand's North Island.

Group H: Korea Republic slip up against Colombia

Tue, 25 Jul, 2023

Group H: Korea Republic slip up against Colombia

Sydney: Korea Republic slipped to a 2-0 defeat against Colombia in their opening game at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 on Tuesday as first half goals from Catalina Usme and Linda Caicedo condemned Colin Bell’s side in their Group H clash at Sydney Football Stadium.

Usme struck from the penalty spot on the halfhour mark to give Colombia the lead and Caicedo benefitted from a handling error by Korean goalkeeper Yoon Young-geul nine minutes later as Nelson Abadia’s side claimed the three points.

The result leaves Korea playing catch-up in Group H and Bell, who introduced 16-year-old Casey Phair from the bench with 12 minutes left to make her the youngest player ever at a FIFA Women’s World Cup, will need his team to pick up a win against Morocco in Adelaide on Sunday.

Preview - Group C: Japan v Costa Rica

Tue, 25 Jul, 2023

Preview - Group C: Japan v Costa Rica

Dunedin: Japan will not make the mistake of underestimating Costa Rica when the two teams face off in Group C of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 on Wednesday.

Japan, the 2011 world champions, kicked off their campaign with an impressive 5-0 win over Zambia on Saturday while Costa Rica suffered a 3-0 defeat against Spain.