With 2018 AFC Women's Asian Cup tournament favourite Australia, Korea Republic and Vietnam all in a stacked Group B alongside holders Japan, it is sure to be a fight to the finish to secure the two available places in the knockout stage.

Having missed out on the side crowned continental champions four years ago but named in Asako Takakura's squad for Jordan, The-AFC.com spoke to 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup-winner Aya Sameshima about her expectations for the tournament

The US-based 32-year-old – whose glittering résumé includes a FIFA Women’s World Cup, the 2014 AFC Women’s Asian Cup and an Olympic silver medal, was named in Asako Takakura’s side despite not featuring for the Nadeshiko since March 2016.

Kawasumi (pictured above, right), who contributed two goals when Japan became world champions in Germany in 2011, is yet to feature in Takakura’s plans since her appointment as head coach following the 2016 Rio Olympics qualifying tournament.

In 2011, as a 20-year-old, she scored the winning spot-kick when the Nadeshiko beat the United States on penalties in the FIFA Women’s World Cup Final, before moving to Germany, then France, where she has won 10 major trophies with Olympique Lyonnais.

That haul of silverware includes UEFA Women’s Champions League titles in the last two seasons, with Kumagai, again scoring the decisive penalty in a shootout to complete a historic personal double in the 2016 win.

Now 27, and considered one of the world’s elite players in defence or midfield, Kumagai has won nearly all there is to win in the game, but there is one trophy that has eluded her - the AFC Women’s Asian Cup.

Japan became champions for the first time four years ago, but Kumagai played no part in the tournament, as club duty kept her in France while her Japanese teammates overcame Australia in the final in Ho Chi Minh City.

 

The Matildas face the World Number 30 as part of preparations for next month’s AFC Asian Cup Jordan 2018, with Australia tackling Korea Republic in their opening match on April 7.

The Aussies will spend a fortnight together in Perth ahead of the tournament, with the clash against Thailand their final competitive hit-out before heading to Jordan.

And Stajcic is confident there will be a healthy contingent of supporters at Nib Stadium on Monday, particularly given Australia’s ongoing bid to host the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Made by world-renowned silversmiths Thomas Lyte of London, the new trophy embodies the spirit of the competition and is an impressive 52.5cm height being crafted from 5.5 kilogrammes of Hallmarked Sterling Silver bullion.

Thomas Lyte’s craftsmen have delivered some of the most iconic sporting trophies, and the AFC Women’s Asian Cup trophy took 140 hours to create, passing through the hands of eight different craftsmen.

AFC President Shaikh Salman said: “The new AFC Women’s Asian Cup trophy is a striking design that reflects the value of the competition as the Continent’s top women’s football tournament. I look forward to seeing the winning team lift the coveted piece of silverware at the final on April 20 in Amman, Jordan.

“The AFC has trusted Thomas Lyte for all of our trophy designs since 1997 and I am happy to see this relationship flourish with this magnificent trophy which is fitting of such a prestigious competition.”

 

 

What was your experience like creating the trophy from start to finish?

I joined Thomas Lyte in October 2016 and we started the conversation about new trophies for both the AFC Women’s Asian Cup and the AFC Asian Cup in December 2016. So for me to be part of the process all the way through was exciting. The relationship that Thomas Lyte has had with the AFC for many years is something special. You can see that there is lots of respect on both sides in what our organisations do.

I think we are at an important time in the development of not only football around the world but specifically the AFC and football in the region. Also, at such an important time for the women’s game you can see the significance of this trophy way beyond sport, particularly as the competition will be played for the first time in West Asia. So it’s a very special thing to be involved in.

What were the challenges faced in the making of the trophy and how did you overcome the challenges?

Challenges is an interesting word, as it was actually just part of the process for us. The whole process was quite an exciting time for us. The design aspect for Thomas Lyte was a very important part. We love getting our teeth into a project, so we briefed our designers to look at the history of our relationship and the history of the tournament in order to come up with the sort of new design that was modern but also embellished with the real craftsmanship to reflect that. It was great to observe that process, and then the journey, which was the journey from presenting the tender, waiting patiently for the commission to be awarded and going into action with the team in the workshop.

Key players Sam Kerr, Katrina Gorry, Emily van Egmond and Alanna Kenendy are all present, in addition to Matildas all-time top scorer Lisa De Vanna, who is set to appear in the tournament for a fifth time.

However, influential winger Caitlin Foord will not be on the plane to Jordan after the 2016 AFC Women’s Player of the Year failed to recover from the foot injury she sustained in the recent W-League finals series.

Kyah Simon, Steph Catley, Hayley Raso and Emily Gielnik – all recent fixtures on the Australian injury list – have recuperated sufficiently to be named in the squad.

Stajcic’s squad is blessed with experience. 13 of the 23 players named have amassed over 50 international caps, and four – Kerr, De Vanna, Simon and Michelle Heyman – have scored at least 20 international goals.