The AFC Women’s Asian Cup is finally here and what a two days it’s been so far!
The first major international tournament of the women’s football calendar for 2022, the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, has finally arrived. It’s felt like an eternity between Japan winning the 2018 edition and now (a global pandemic certainly doesn’t help) but it’s time to get the show on the road.
And where better place to start than this year’s twelve teams? From across Asia and Oceania, twelve teams will be competing for the coveted Asian Cup trophy with many returning faces, a brand-new face, and some potential upsets on the horizon.
Let’s get right into it, starting with this year’s hosts, India.
India
Managed by: Thomas Dennerby
Highest FIFA Ranking: 49th (December 2013)
Current FIFA Ranking: 55th
Current Asian Ranking: 11th
Group: A (China PR, Chinese Taipei, Iran)
History of the team: The idea for an international women’s football team in India started in the 1970s but took until 1981 for the first official international match to be played (a 5-0 thumping of Singapore in Hong Kong). Unfortunately, the team’s early years were dominated by a continued failure from governing bodies to promote, safeguard and invest in women’s football in India, culminating in being delisted from FIFA rankings in 2009, having not played for 18-months.
This early period wasn’t entirely without success, however. The 1980s proved to be a good decade for Asian Cup success, placing second in the 1980 and 1983 editions (the former being played on home soil), and a 3rd place finish in 1981.
The ‘Blue Tigresses’ have become a dominant force in the SAFF Women’s Championship, winning the tournament in all five of the editions that they have featured in, including as recently as 2019 in Nepal.
Style of play: India employs a counter attacking, transition-heavy strategy to their game, waiting for their opponents to lose possession before pouncing at pace. Expect to see a defence that works hard for one another – they are quick in getting back into position and quick in deciding who should cover.
Road to victory (look at groups): As hosts, India did not go through a qualifying process. They did, however, prepare for the Asian Cup with friendlies in Sweden and the International Football Tournament of Manaus in Brazil. Check out the AFC Women’s Asian Cup: Road to victory here.
Previous World Cup appearances: Never qualified
Previous Asian Cup appearances: 1980, 1983 (Runners-up); 1981 (Third place); 1995, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003 (Group stage)
Players to watch: Former West Ham United goalkeeper Aditi Chauhan will have to be as reliable as possible bearing in mind the attacking threat her defence will face in their group. She produced some excellent saves against Venezuela in a tight 2-1 loss, so home fans and her defence will be looking to her to produce when called upon. Manisha Panna will need all her defensive acumen to prevent crosses into the box but will also need to use her pace to get down the touchline. If she puts in crosses as good as she’s capable of, the Indian frontline will no doubt be delighted.
Pyari Xaxa, despite her height, is surprisingly good in the air as evidenced by her first of two against Bahrain – her pace is such that she’s capable of running onto balls with ease and can certainly finish her chances.
Japan
Managed by: Futoshi Ikeda
Highest FIFA Ranking: 3rd (December 2011)
Current FIFA Ranking: 13th
Current Asian Ranking: 3rd
Group: C (South Korea, Vietnam, Myanmar)
History of the team: Japan’s first foray into international women’s football came in 1981 when the Japan Football Association (JFA) fielded a team for the 1981 AFC Women’s Championship – their first match ended in a 1-0 loss at the hands of Chinese Taipei.
Since then, Japan have gone on to become a mainstay in the Asian Cup, and football as a whole.The team have enjoyed excellent and sustained success in Asian tournaments, not least being crowned champions in two Asian Cup editions (2014 and 2018) and achieving runners-up medals in four editions (1986, 1991, 1995 and 2001). Japan have also become something of a powerhouse at the Asian Games, with two winner’s medals (2010 and 2018), four runners-up medals (1990, 1994, 2006, 2014) and two further bronze medals (1998, 2002).
Style of play: Technical wizardry sums up Japan’s style. Perfectly weighted crosses, incisive passes, movement off the ball and killer instincts. With a team as naturally gifted as Japan, expectations are bound to be high, so expect dogged determination and battling in defence, a press-resistant midfield and ever-swapping forwards showing off their versatility.
Road to victory (look at groups): As champions of the 2018 Asian Cup, Japan did not take part in qualifying groups. Check out the AFC Women’s Asian Cup: Road to victory here.
Previous World Cup appearances: 2011 (Champions); 2015 (Runners-up); 1995 (Quarter finals); 1991, 1999, 2003, 2007 (Group stage)
Previous Asian Cup appearances: 2014, 2018 (Champions); 1986, 1991, 1995, 2001 (Runners-up); 1989, 1993, 1997, 2008, 2010 (Third place); 1999, 2003, 2006 (Fourth place); 1977, 1981 (Group stage)
Players to watch: We couldn’t possibly look at Japan without mentioning Arsenal forward Mana Iwabuchi. The technical wizard will look to ghost in between the defence and will work hard doing it – plus she isn’t shy about getting stuck into the more physical elements of the game. Yui Hagesawa will also look to translate her exceptional league form into the tournament, and could very well be an essential midfield lynchpin. Versatile captain Saki Kumagai will be critical to Japan’s defence of the title while Urawa Reds goalkeeper Sakiko Ikeda will need to be at her very best.
Australia
Managed by: Tony Gustavsson
Highest FIFA Ranking: 4th (December 2017)
Current FIFA Ranking: 11th
Current Asian Ranking: 2nd
Group: B (Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia)
History of the team: After the formation of the Australian Women’s Soccer Association (AWSA), the Matildas officially kicked off with a 2-2 draw with neighbours New Zealand in 1979. Since then, the Australians have gone from strength to strength and boast some of the most recognisable names in women’s football.
Even more importantly, they have a history of success in the Asian Cup. Since entering the Asian Cup in 2006, the Matildas have never finished the tournament lower than fourth place, winning it in 2010, placing second in 2006, 2014 and 2018, and fourth in 2008. With the team’s decent performance in the Olympics, the Matildas will hope to depose Japan as champions.
Style of play: Pace and power are integral to Australia’s play. They hound opponents into mistakes and pounce when the ball is loose, typically taking the ball into the wings for the pacey full-backs and wide players to run onto.
Road to victory (look at groups): As runners-up in 2018, Australia automatically qualified for the 2022 Asian Cup. Check out the AFC Women’s Asian Cup: Road to victory here.
Previous World Cup appearances: 2007, 2011, 2015 (Quarterfinals); 2019 (round of 16); 1995, 1999, 2003 (Group stage)
Previous Asian Cup appearances: 2010 (Champions); 2006, 2014, 2018 (Runners-up); 2008 (Fourth place)
Players to watch: While Lydia Williams may be undisputed number 1, Teagan Micah, if she makes an appearance, could certainly catch the eye. With superb performances in the Olympics helping her get a move to Rosengård, the young goalkeeper could prove to be massively influential if selected. Ellie Carpenter may only be 21, but with 54 caps to her name, the young Lyon full-back will be expected to turn in excellent performances, bombing down the wing and peppering the box with crosses. Of course, we can’t talk about Australia without mentioning Sam Kerr – the WSL top goal scorer has been in imperious form for Chelsea and will hope to top the charts in India.
China PR
Managed by: Shui Qingxia
Highest FIFA Ranking: 4th
Current FIFA Ranking: 19th
Current Asian Ranking: 5th
Group: A (India, Chinese Taipei, Iran)
History of the team: The ‘Steel Roses’ have been an international football team since their match in 1986, a 2-1 loss to the United States but have quickly established themselves as the most successful team in Asian Cup history, having won the tournament eight times so far and never having finished lower than fourth place.
Their dominance of the Asian Cup started in their first year of competing (1986) by winning the tournament, replicating this feat a further six times in succession.
Style of play: While performances at the Olympics were undoubtedly disappointing, China PR love to attack, love to press and will double up where possible. Pass-and-move is critical to their game plan, so expect to see plenty of triangle’s form in passing lanes and to see opposition defences tire trying to keep up. Their midfield is technically gifted and can find pockets of space to exploit. At set-pieces, they usually try to pick out their target players rather than intricate passing based set-piece routines.
Road to victory (look at groups): Having come third overall and thus automatically qualified for the 2022 Asian Cup, China PR did not go through a qualifying campaign. Check out the AFC Women’s Asian Cup: Road to victory here.
Previous World Cup appearances: 1999 (Runners-up); 1995 (Fourth place); 1991, 2007, 2015 (Quarterfinals); 2019 (Round of 16)
Previous Asian Cup appearances: 1986, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995, 2997, 1999, 2006 (Champions); 2003, 2008 (Runners-up); 2001, 2014, 2018 (Third place); 2010 (Fourth place)
Players to watch: Wang Shashan, once plying her trade at PSG, will be one to keep an eye on. She benefits from rapid pace and clinical finishing that will make her a threat to defences prone to lapses in concentration. Lin Yuping will cause all sorts of problems at set-pieces – at 5”10, she’ll certainly be among the taller players at the tournament so don’t be surprised if corners are directed at her. Finally, expect Peng Shimeng, potentially the tallest player at the Asian Cup, to produce dominant performances in goal – she’s vocal, a physical presence and capable of producing top class saves when her defence is bypassed.
South Korea
Managed by: Colin Bell
Highest FIFA Ranking: 14th (December 2017, September 2018-March 2019)
Current FIFA Ranking: 18th
Current Asian Ranking: 4th
Group: C (Japan, Vietnam, Myanmar)
History of the team: While women’s football has been officially held within the Republic of Korea since 1949, the South Korean women’s international football team has only existed since 1990, as a result of wanting to send a women’s football team to the first edition of the Olympics to permit the sport. Their first fixture was certainly a steep learning curve, being demolished 13-1 by Japan. Since then, South Korea have been a regular fixture in the Asian Cup, appearing in all editions since the team’s formation. There has so far been mixed success for the Taeguk Ladies, most recently finishing 5th in 2018 with a previous high of a third place finish in 2003, but never placing higher, a fact incongruent with their star-studded line-up.
Style of play: South Korea will likely be among the most technically gifted teams at the Asian Cup so expect plenty of pass and move, willing runners off the ball, and plenty of incisive passes and dribbles though the centre of the pitch.
Road to victory (look at groups): South Korea’s qualification journey was easy, to say the least. A 12-0 win over Mongolia was swiftly followed by a 4-0 dismantling of Uzbekistan. Check out the AFC Women’s Asian Cup: Road to victory here.
Previous World Cup appearances: 2015 (Round of 16), 2003, 2019 (Group stage)
Previous Asian Cup appearances: 2003 (Third place); 1995, 2001 (Fourth place); 2018 (fifth place); 1991, 1993, 1997, 1999, 2006, 2008, 2010 (Group stage)
Players to watch: The obvious player to start with is Chelsea playmaker Ji So-yun. Her technical wizardry will be critical to any successful attack, as will her goals. Tottenham midfielder Cho So-hyun’s energy will be essential in preventing attacks and joining them just as quickly, so expect to see her running until the very last second of the game. Veteran goalkeeper Kim Jung-mi will need to be at her best and draw on all her experience to see South Korea through what could be tricky fixtures.
Thailand
Managed by: Miyo Okamoto
Highest FIFA Ranking: 28th (July 2011, June 2018)
Current FIFA Ranking: 38th
Current Asian Ranking: 7th
Group: B (Australia, Philippines, Indonesia)
History of the team: Thailand are among Asia’s oldest international women’s football teams, having made their competitive debut in a 3-2 win over Australia in 1975.
In this time, Thailand have been in all but three editions of the Asian Cup – much like India, Thailand’s success came earlier in their history, winning the Cup in 1983, coming second in 1975, 1977 and 1981. Improvements have been coming to the side, with 2018 seeing the team earn a fourth-place finish, improving upon 2014’s fifth place finish and six editions of not going beyond the group stage.
Style of play: Thailand like to go direct where possible. While they have the technical prowess to go past players, they seem to prefer a more direct approach where the aim is to get the ball into the box, however long a pass is needed. While that sounds like a slight, they do is in sheer numbers to overwhelm opposition midfielders and defenders. They also benefit from gifted crossers such as Warunee Phetwiset who’ll make life difficult for defenders.
Road to victory (look at groups): Thailand breezed through their qualifying matches, with a 4-0 win over Malaysia closely followed by the 7-0 win over Palestine. Check out the AFC Women’s Asian Cup: Road to victory here.
Previous World Cup appearances: 2015, 2019 (Group stage)
Previous Asian Cup appearances: 1983 (Champions); 1975, 1977, 1981 (Runners-up); 1986 (Third place); 2018 (Fourth place); 1989, 1991, 1995, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2014 (Group stage)
Players to watch: Janista Jinantuya could certainly catch the eye – her backheeled volley against Palestine was worth the trouble in finding the highlights! At just 19 years old, Janista has a bright future ahead of her and could do her career a massive world of good by turning in more performances such as that against Palestine. Her work-rate was superb, she attacked at pace and had the awareness to delay her run ever-so slightly to catch the ball perfectly. Irravadee Makris nabbed herself a hattrick in that fixture and could be an unexpected goal throat from full-back. Her pace will make her difficult to stop and clearly has some tactical nous in her game. Warunee’s aforementioned crossing ability will definitely be singled out by her opposition – whether they can stop her pinpoint crossing is an entirely different matter.
Philippines
Managed by: Alen Stajčić
Highest FIFA Ranking: 64th
Current FIFA Ranking: 64th
Current Asian Ranking: 13th
Group: B (Australia, Thailand and Indonesia)
History of the team: The Philippines Women’s National Team (PWNT) were officially formed in 1980 after the establishment of the Philippine Ladies’ Football Association (PLFA). Their first major championship as a national team came three years later in the 1983 Asia Cup (then the Asian Women’s Championship), a tournament which had yet to be sanctioned by FIFA.
Two years later, the PWNT recorded their first international medal win, placing third at the 1985 Southeast Asian Games, the first edition to host women’s football. The PWNT qualified for the AFC Women’s Championship in 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2001 and 2003 but failed to get out of the group stage in each of these editions. The team recorded their best performance of in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup placing third in their group, earning a 2019 World Cup Play-Off place as a result.
The next Southeast Asian Games to feature the PWNT was the 1995 edition, where the team recorded five points, two points behind eventual second place finalists Malaysia. In the 1997 and 2001 editions of the Southeast Asian Games, the PWNT failed to record a single point. In 2019, the PWNT qualified for the knockout stages of the games but ultimately lost to eventual winners Vietnam, and were beaten by Myanmar in the bronze medal match.
Style of Play: Goalkeeper and captain Inna Palacios describe the team’s style of play as “dynamic”, mentioning that they’ve evolved their game to become a “faster, more intelligent game”. The team might look to use their relative youth and inexperience to their advantage, with no player featuring in the squad over the age of 27. They also look to their wide players, whose considerable pace will cause difficulties for opposition full-backs.
Players to Watch: Captain Inna Palacios will certainly be kept busy between the sticks in the group stages while experienced defender Hali Long will be expected to provide solid defensive cover in front of Palacios. Tahani Annis will likely be seen as a crucial goal scoring threat after her two-goal haul in the qualifying rounds.
Road to Victory: The PWNT topped their group with two wins from two against Nepal and Hong Kong – Tahani Annis was ultimately the team’s highest scorer in qualification, scoring in both games. Check out the AFC Women’s Asian Cup: Road to victory here.
Previous Asian Cup Appearances: 1983, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003 (Group Stage)
Previous World Cup Appearances: Never qualified
Vietnam
Managed by: Mai Đức Chung
Highest FIFA Ranking: 28th (June 2013)
Current FIFA Ranking: 32nd
AFC Ranking: 6th
Group: C (Japan, South Korea, Myanmar)
History of the team: The Vietnamese Women’s National Team (VWNT) was formed in 1990 and has experienced considerable success in Asian tournaments since their formation.
In 2001, the team won its first gold medal in the Southeast Asia Games, defeating then reigning champions Thailand 4-0. From this point onwards, the team became a dominant force in the games, winning additional gold medals in 2003, 2005, 2009, 2017 and 2019. At the 2006 AFF Women’s Championship, Vietnam were not only hosts but also eventual overall winners of the tournament, a marked improvement on the third place finish in the first edition of the tournament in 2004. The team added an additional winner’s medal in the 2012 edition of the AFF Women’s Championship, beating Myanmar on penalties in Ho Chi Minh City. The Golden Star Women Warriors placed an impressive fourth at the 2014 Asian Games behind South Korea. In terms of performance at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, the team’s highest place came in reaching the fifth place play-off in 2014, losing out to Thailand.
Style of play: Vietnam’s style of play is heavily influenced by their technical prowess. While far from being the tallest team in the tournament, they possess a level of technical craft that means that they can press high and pick out teammates with ease. Midfielders are equally adept at the more rugged side of football like tackling, but have good passing range. They’re also not afraid to go long when the need arises, typically pumping the ball out wide.
Road to victory (look at groups): Vietnam’s route to the Asian Cup was, to put it bluntly, a stroll in the park. They topped their group with two wins from two and 23 goals (scoring 16 against the Maldives alone). Check out the AFC Women’s Asian Cup: Road to victory here.
Previous World Cup appearances: Never qualified
Previous Asian Cup appearances: 1999, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2018 (Group stage); 2014 (Sixth place)
Players to watch: Ha Noi I FC striker Phạm Hải Yến will be hoping to increase her goal-tally in the coming Games, having scored 30 goals in 44 games for Vietnam, with six of those coming against the Maldives alone. Equally adept forward and team captain Huỳnh Như will be hoping to get her fiftieth goal for her country
Chinese Taipei
Managed by: Echigo Kazuo
Highest FIFA Ranking: 22nd
Current FIFA Ranking: 39th
AFC Ranking: 8th
Group: A (India, People’s Republic of China, Iran)
History of the team: Chinese Taipei’s first game as an international football game was a 2-0 win over Indonesia in 1977. The team known as Mulan, after the famous heroine from Chinese folklore, experienced considerable Asian Cup success in their earlier years, recording consecutive wins in 1977, 1979 and 1981, and placing second in 1989 and 1999. Mulan have also recorded successful campaigns in the OFC Women’s Championship, finishing as champions in 1986 and 1989.
Style of play: Chinese Taipei will certainly look to frustrate teams. Against the PRC in the Olympic qualifying, they were happy to stand off of their rivals while Ting Chi pressed across the pitch
Road to victory (look at groups): Chinese Taipei’s qualifying route in Group A was a breezy affair, notching two wins out of two against Laos (4-0) and Bahrain (2-0). Check out the AFC Women’s Asian Cup: Road to victory here.
Previous World Cup appearances: Never qualified
Previous Asian Cup appearances: 1977, 1979, 1981 (Champions); 1989, 1999 (Runners-up); 1991, 1995 (Third place); 1993, 1997 (Fourth place); 2001, 2003, 2006, 2008 (Group stage)
Players to watch: Forward Ting Chi represents an excellent attacking outlet and presser when out of possession, and will certainly want to add more goals to her international game. Veteran midfield Wang Hsiang-huei will look to support both the defence and attack with her non-stop running and superb positioning. Lai Li-chin will also hope that her goal scoring heroics against Laos and Bahrain will add further attacking potency to the Mulan frontline.
Myanmar
Managed by: Tin Myint Aung
Highest FIFA Ranking: 42nd (September 2009)
Current FIFA Ranking: 47th
AFC Ranking: 10th
Group: C (Japan, South Korea, Vietnam)
History of the team: The ‘Asian Lionesses’ first took to the field in a 1-1 draw against the Philippines in 1995 and boast two not inconsiderable highest-ever wins, both 17-0 victories recorded in 2004 and 2016 against the Maldives and Timor-Leste, respectively.
Myanmar have experienced a decent bit of success since their inception and already boast a healthy medal haul. The Gold Cup final win of 2019 will certainly give the team encouragement going into the Asian Cup, as will their numerous medals in the AFF Women’s Championship and Southeast Asian Games. In the former, they boast winners medals from 2004 and 2007, runners-up medals from 2011, 2012 and 2015 and bronze medals from 2016 and 2019. In the Southeast Asian Games, Myanmar boast three silver medals (1997, 2003 and 2005) and seven bronze medals (1995, 2001, 2007, 2009, 2013, 2017, 2019).
Style of play: Another technical team, Myanmar avoid putting the ball into the box as much as possible and instead favour intricate passes through the centre of the pitch. Myanmar also look to blend youth and experience and will no doubt look to press carefully but persistently.
Road to victory (look at groups): Group D winners Myanmar certainly had a straightforward path to qualifying with comprehensive wins against Lebanon (4-0) and Guam (8-0) and a final win against the United Arab Emirates (2-0). Check out the AFC Women’s Asian Cup: Road to victory here.
Previous World Cup appearances: Never qualified
Previous Asian Cup appearances: 2003, 2006, 2010, 2014 (Group stage)
Players to watch: Starting with youth, Phyu Phyu Win could rise to prominence having only just turned 17. If Tin Myint Aung sees the team’s group as difficult and wants to experiment, what better way to do it than to start Phyu Phyu Win in the back line. The experienced midfield could also prove important for Myanmar if they have aspirations of going beyond the group stage: Khin Moe Wai and captain Khin Marla Tun could provide the experience to keep the younger players focussed while also providing for the offensive line. While Yee Yee Oo has proven herself an excellent goal scorer, it would be superb to give Myat Noe Khin some game-time – the 18 year old could definitely benefit from playing against higher calibre opposition.
Iran
Managed by: Maryam Irandoost
Highest FIFA Ranking: 48th
Current FIFA Ranking: 70th
AFC Ranking: 14th
Group: A (India, People’s Republic of China, Chinese Taipei)
History of the team: The Iranian women’s national team reformed in 2005, restarting life with a 5-0 win over Syria. Of all the teams who qualified for this year’s Asian Cup, Iran are perhaps the biggest unknowns, particularly as this Asian Cup is the Persian state’s debut in the tournament. They aren’t without tournament experience, having been runners-up in the 2018 CAFA Women’s Championship and also runners-up in three of their entries in the WAFF Women’s Championship (2005, 2007, 2011).
Style of play: Iran are quite a powerful side in the air and will be looking to make full use of that. Against Bangladesh in September, they notched two goals from headers and a third after Hajar Dabbaghi made a nuisance of herself in the box. Dabbaghi’s height (5”10) will certainly prove to be an asset against smaller teams. The Iranians also show themselves to be fierce on the break and not afraid to take chances from all areas, as exemplified by the fourth goal against Bangladesh. Set piece delivery also looks to be crucial and clearly an area of focus within the Iranian camp so expect them to threaten from dead-ball scenarios.
Road to victory (look at groups): Iran had a rockier road to the Asian Cup than most – their 5-0 win over Bangladesh couldn’t be replicated against a stubborn Jordan, who took Iran to penalties to decide who should qualify. Iran’s focus on set-pieces seemed to come up trumps. Check out the AFC Women’s Asian Cup: Road to victory here.
Previous World Cup appearances: Never qualified
Previous Asian Cup appearances: Never qualified
Players to watch: Set-piece maestro Samaneh Chakandi will certainly catch the eye with her superb corner and free-kick distribution while captain Behnaz Taherkhani has proven a dab-hand (dab-foot?) from the penalty spot. Hajar Dabbaghi’s considerable height will almost certainly make her the main aerial threat but she’s also superbly talented with the ball at her feet (her goal against Bangladesh was superbly taken and it’s surprising the crossbar survived) and could have a long career ahead of her at just 22.
Indonesia
Managed by: Rudy Eka Priyambada
Highest FIFA Ranking: 58th (July 2003)
Current FIFA Ranking: 94th
AFC Ranking: 19th
Group: B (Australia, Thailand, the Philippines)
History of the team: Another of Asia’s stalwarts, the Indonesian women’s national team have been going since their inaugural match in 1977, a 5-0 loss to Chinese Taipei.
Their tournament history might not be the most extensive, but for a nation in which women’s football remains obscure it’s impressive to some degree. At the Southeast Asian Games, Indonesia achieved two fourth place finishes in 1997 and 2001 and replicated the same feat in the 2004 AFF Women’s Championship. There were further fourth place finishes for the nation in the Asian Cup’s early editions (1977 and 1986). The 2022 edition will mark the first time since 1989 that Indonesia will take part in the Asian Cup.
Style of play: There’s a decent level of technical ability among this team and it shows in their desire to get the ball either in dead-ball scenarios or out into the wings. The midfield are capable enough that they can spray passes around and the full-backs athletic enough to bomb down the touch line.
Road to victory (look at groups): With Iraq and North Korea both withdrawing due to COVID-19 related concerns, Indonesia’s route to qualification was relatively easy: beat Singapore twice. And that’s exactly what they did, with two 1-0 victories in Tajikistan sealing qualification. Check out the AFC Women’s Asian Cup: Road to victory here.
Previous World Cup appearances: Never qualified
Previous Asian Cup appearances: 1977, 1986 (Fourth place); 1981, 1989 (Group stage)
Players to watch: Viny Silifanus will certainly be one to watch. Her trickery and close ball control caused problems for Singapore and certainly belied her age. Tia Darti Septiawati could pose problems for goalkeepers – Kusumawati, Singapore’s number 1, had to be at full stretch to stop Septiawati’s long range effort. Zehra Muzdalifah might also prove to be a handful up-top; with already 19 caps at 20 years old, Indonesia might look to her to drag defenders away to allow Septiawati and Silifanus to infiltrate space behind the defenders.
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