Women's Olympic Games

Women's Olympic Games

AFC unveils breakthrough reforms to strengthen Women’s National Team Competitions

Fri, 13 Sep, 2024

AFC unveils breakthrough reforms to strengthen Women’s National Team Competitions

Kuala Lumpur: Underlining its steadfast and continued efforts to elevate the stature and standards of the women’s game across Asia, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has confirmed today the introduction of several key reforms to its Women’s National Team Competitions, which will come into effect from 2026 onwards.

Officially ratified by the AFC Executive Committee on Thursday, these key reforms will result in the optimisation of the qualification pathways for both the AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ and FIFA Women’s World Cup, as well as a more straightforward qualification format for the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament.

www.the-afc.com/en/more/afc_competitions/video/afc_womens_national_teams_competitions_reforms.html

Ikeda steps down as Japan head coach

Wed, 21 Aug, 2024

Ikeda steps down as Japan head coach

Tokyo: Japan Football Association has confirmed that Futoshi Ikeda has left his post as head coach of the women’s national team following the end of his contract.

Ikeda took over from Asako Takakura in 2021 and left after having taken charge of Japan at the recent Paris Olympics 2024.

Swanson strike hands United States women's title against Brazil

Sun, 11 Aug, 2024

Swanson strike hands United States women's title against Brazil

Paris: Mallory Swanson scored the winning goal as the United States edged Brazil 1-0 in Saturday's Olympic women's football final to claim the gold medal for a record-extending fifth time.

Brazil fought hard on a hot afternoon at the Parc des Princes, but the USA struck just before the hour mark when Swanson - on her 100th cap - ran through to finish past goalkeeper Lorena.

It is the first time the USA have taken the Olympic title in 12 years, their gold in Paris adding to those won in 1996, 2004, 2008 and 2012.

Last-gasp penalty save secures Germany women's bronze

Sat, 10 Aug, 2024

Last-gasp penalty save secures Germany women's bronze

Lyon: Germany goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger saved a last-gasp penalty from Alexia Putellas as her team beat World Cup holders Spain 1-0 on Friday to take bronze in the Olympic women's football.

Giulia Gwinn converted a 65th-minute penalty in Lyon to give Germany the lead but Spain had the chance to force extra time when they won a spot-kick of their own right at the end of seven minutes of injury time.

However, former Ballon d'Or winner Putellas had her effort from the spot saved by the heroic Berger as Spain missed out on a medal on their debut appearance at the Olympics.

USA and Brazil to battle for gold

Wed, 07 Aug, 2024

USA and Brazil to battle for gold

Paris: United States and Brazil will meet in the final of the Women's Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024 after claiming contrasting wins in Tuesday's last-four ties against Germany and World Cup holders Spain respectively.

United States, record four-time women's football gold medallists, remained on course to win the title for the first time since 2012 after beating Germany 1-0 in extra time in Lyon, with Sophia Smith scoring the only goal.

Brazil later won through to their first final since 2008 by unexpectedly getting the better of the reigning world champions with a remarkable 4-2 victory in Marseille.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/olympic_games/photo/paris_2024_-_qf.html

Ikeda proud of Japan’s gallant run

Sun, 04 Aug, 2024

Ikeda proud of Japan’s gallant run

Paris: Japan’s hunt for a medal at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024 ultimately came up short but head coach Futoshi Ikeda remained immensely proud of the work put in by his side in the competition.

Trinity Rodman’s extra time winner showed the Nadeshiko a painful exit at the quarter-final stage in what was a repeat of the London 2012 gold medal match where once again the United States emerged as the victors.

However, it was undeniably the Americans’ toughest match at the Paris Games so far with Japan having chances of their own to win the tie, a performance that left Ikeda with a bittersweet feeling.

Rodman breaks Nadeshiko hearts

Sun, 04 Aug, 2024

Rodman breaks Nadeshiko hearts

Paris: It was heartbreak for Japan in the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024 after they were defeated 1-0 by the United States in the quarter-final tie played on Saturday.

After a goalless 90 minutes at the Parc des Princes, Trinity Rodman struck her third goal of the tournament to end Japan’s gold medal dreams with a stunning effort as the United States stayed in hunt for a fifth gold medal.

Preview - Women’s QF: United States v Japan

Fri, 02 Aug, 2024

Preview - Women’s QF: United States v Japan

Paris: Japan will reignite their rivalry with the United States when they face off in the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024 quarter-finals on Saturday.

The fixture at Parc des Princes will be the first meeting between the two sides at the Olympics since the gold medal match at Wembley Stadium in 2012, which the Americans won 2-1.

Ikeda pleased after Nadeshiko overcome adversity to book last eight spot

Thu, 01 Aug, 2024

Ikeda pleased after Nadeshiko overcome adversity to book last eight spot

Nantes: Head coach Futoshi Ikeda was a relieved man after Japan produced a clinical performance to beat Nigeria 3-1 to seal a place in the quarter-finals of the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024.

Recovering from losing their Group C opener against Spain, Japan won their next two matches to set up a meeting with four-time champions United States on Saturday.

It hasn’t been an easy campaign with injuries affecting selection but improving conditions allowed Ikeda more flexibility, especially in Wednesday’s win that confirmed them as group runners-up.

Outgoing Gustavsson hails Matildas’ spirit despite early exit

Thu, 01 Aug, 2024

Outgoing Gustavsson hails Matildas’ spirit despite early exit

Paris: Australia may have bowed out of the Women's Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024 at the group stage for the first time in 24 years, but head coach Tony Gustavsson was full of praise for his team’s dedication and spirit.

Australia’s Olympic hopes were hanging by a thread after the United States held off a late fightback to leave the Stade de Marseille as 2-1 winners with goals from Trinity Rodman and Korbin Albert.

Canada’s subsequent 1-0 win over Colombia confirmed Australia’s exit, marking the first time since Sydney 2000 that the Matildas failed to progress beyond the group stage.