Wang Fei named in China PR squad following Zhao Lina’s retirement

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Wang Fei named in China PR squad following Zhao Lina’s retirement

Beijing: Former Steel Roses number one and FC Bayern Munich recruit Wang Fei has been named in China PR’s Algarve Cup squad just days after the surprise international retirement of fellow goalkeeper Zhao Lina.

Zhao, who played all four of China PR’s matches at the 2016 Rio Olympics, revealed she was stepping away for national team duties via social media after regularly featuring for the national team since making her debut in 2015.

Zhao, 26, also played in all three matches at the EAFF E-1 Championship in December, but featured just once in January’s Four Nations Tournament in Foshan.

Wang Fei, who herself retired from international follow during Bruno Bini’s reign as China PR coach in 2016, returns to the national team’s goalkeeping ranks alongside Lu Feifei and 19-year-old Peng Shimeng.

Stajcic names preliminary Algarve Cup squad, Matildas to also play Thailand 

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Stajcic names preliminary Algarve Cup squad, Matildas to also play Thailand 

Sydney: Asia’s highest ranked women’s national team will meet Thailand in Perth on March 26, in their final home match before departing for April’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Jordan.

The international friendly against the three-time ASEAN Football Federation champions will give Western Australian fans a chance to see the Matildas in action, in a match which is sure to draw a bumper crowd in star striker Sam Kerr’s home town.

The announcement comes on the same day Australian head coach Alen Stajcic named a 25-strong preliminary squad for the Algarve Cup, which will be reduced to 22 before the tournament begins in Portugal on February 28.

Takakura names strong Nadeshiko squad for Algarve Cup

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Takakura names strong Nadeshiko squad for Algarve Cup

Tokyo: Reigning AFC Women’s Asian Cup champions Japan will take an imposing squad to their final hit out before the 2018 edition, naming an experienced 23-strong playing list for the Algarve Cup in Portugal

The 2017 AFC Women’s Player of the Year nominee Saki Kumagai headlines the squad, with the Olympique Lyonnais star joining US-based defensive veteran Rumi Utsugi, German-based forward Kumi Yokoyama and Real Betis goalkeeper Erina Yamane as foreign based talent in Asako Takakura’s team.

Nadeshiko League club NTV Beleza provide the most players, with no less than seven players currently on the books of the Japanese champions, including in-form striker Mia Tanaka, who scored in two of Japan’s three matches at December’s EAFF E-1 Championship.

Ji So-yun to return for Korea Republic in Algarve Cup

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Ji So-yun to return for Korea Republic in Algarve Cup

Seoul: Korea Republic’s all-time top scorer Ji So-yun will return to the Korea Republic squad for the final competitive hit-out before April’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup after manager Yoon Duk-yeo named a 23-strong squad for the Portugal-based Algarve Cup.

The Chelsea star returns after missing December’s EAFF E-1 Championship, where the Koreans lost all three matches, and will be joined by 2017 Korean Women’s Player of the Year and recent INAC Kobe Leonessa signee Lee Min-a.

Lee’s new clubmate Choi Ye-seul and Jeon Ga-eul – who has been playing for Melbourne Victory in Australia’s W-League championship – are the other foreign-based representatives, with the remaining players plying their trade on home soil.