Matildas v Asia: Cup draw preview of all eight nations

The tournament is the oldest senior women's continental competition. We preview the chances of all eight nations ahead of the draw in Jordan's capital Amman on Saturday. 

The 19th edition of the Cup kicks off on April 7, 2018.

In the hunt are four previous winners: reigning champions Japan have been placed in Pot 1 alongside host nation Jordan, while the Matildas – Asia’s highest ranked team at sixth in the world – are in Pot 2 with eight-time champions China PR for company.

AFC WOMEN’S ASIAN CUP 2018 – Official Draw: Pots

Focus on AUSTRALIA

Kuala Lumpur: Denied by a single Azusa Iwashimizu goal in the 2014 AFC Women’s Asian Cup final, Alen Stajcic’s Australian side continue to set new benchmarks in the women’s game, and enter the draw for Jordan 2018 as Asia’s highest ranked and most in-form team.

Head coach: Alen Stajcic (AUS)

Best finish: Champions (2010)

Key player: Sam Kerr

Focus on CHINA

Kuala Lumpur: The most successful team in AFC Women’s Asian Cup history, China PR dominated the tournament from their first appearance in 1986, winning an unprecedented seven consecutive titles.

Head coach: Sigurdur Eyjólfsson (JPN)

Best finish: Champions (1986, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2006)

They also retain the enviable record of having never finished outside the top four in any AFC Women’s Asian Cup they have competed in.

While China didn’t need to qualify for next April’s finals by virtue of their third place finish in Vietnam four years ago, they have prepared extensively, with their 19 matches in 2017 the most of any team in the draw, although results have been mixed.

Successes against 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup sides Mexico and Thailand, and a 2-2 draw with World No. 9 Brazil show China’s potential, but a winless Algarve Cup campaign and dual home losses to DPR Korea, who failed to qualify for Jordan 2018, indicate there is room for improvement.

Key player: Wang Shanshan

Focus on JAPAN

Kuala Lumpur: Seeded in Pot 1 as the reigning Asian champions, Japan are among the favourites to lift the AFC Women’s Asian Cup next April despite a 2017 of mixed results.

AFC Women’s Asian Cup appearances: 1986, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2014

Best finish: Champions (2014)​​​

After breaking through to win the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Germany, and reaching the final in Canada four years later, the Nadeshiko have undergone a re-building process which has introduced a number of new faces to Asako Takakura’s national team line-up.

Their development has not been without its teething problems, with heavy losses suffered against Australia and the United States at the Tournament of Nations, but the 2-0 win over Switzerland on home soil in October showed signs of improvement, and ended a four-match winless runs.

The emergence of NTV Beleza forwards Mina Tanaka and Yuka Momiki, aged 23 and 21 respectively, is a cause for optimism, while Kumi Yokoyama remains the team’s chief goal threat, having found the net six times in international play in 2017.

In defence, Japan are blessed with the world class quality and experience of World Cup-winning trio Saki Kumagai, Rumi Utsugi and Aya Sameshima, while Mizuho Sakaguchi – now in the 12th year of her international career – continues to patrol the midfield with distinction.

While Japan, already champions of the world, finally broke through for their maiden Asian title in Vietnam four years ago, the 2014 tournament was the 13th successive AFC Women’s Asian Cup where they finished In the top four, marking them as opponents teams will be wary of being drawn against in Jordan 2018.

Key player: Saki Kumagai

The Nadeshiko’s captain and defensive lynchpin, and a 2017 AFC Women’s Player of the Year nominee, Saki Kumagai’s has scaled heights that most can barely imagine.

 

Winners medals at the FIFA Women’s World Cup and Asian Games, a silver medal at the London Olympics and 10 major trophies for French club Olympique Lyonnais, including consecutive UEFA Women’s Champions League titles in 2016 and 2017, Kumagai has done, and won it all – except for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup.

 

The 27-year-old missed out as her teammates claimed a drought-breaking title in Vietnam four years ago, giving her an extra layer of motivation as she looks to keep Japan at the top of the Asian mountain.

Qualifying stage:

Japan qualified automatically as AFC Women’s Asian Cup Vietnam 2014 winners.

Japan - ‘A’ internationals in 2017

Opponents	Result	Competition	Venue	Date
Spain	1-2	Algarve Cup	Parchal, Portugal	02/03/2017
Iceland	2-0	Algarve Cup	Parchal, Portugal	04/03/2017
Norway	2-0	Algarve Cup	Sao Joao da Venda, Por.	07/03/2017
Netherlands	2-3	Algarve Cup	Sao Joao da Venda, Por.	09/03/2017
Costa Rica	3-0	Friendly	Kumamoto, Japan	09/04/2017
Netherlands	1-0	Friendly	Breda, Netherlands	10/06/2017
Belgium	1-1	Friendly	Heverlee, Belgium	14/06/2017
Brazil	1-1	Tournament of Nations	Seattle, USA	28/07/2017
Australia	2-4	Tournament of Nations	San Diego, USA	31/07/2017
United States	0-3	Tournament of Nations	Carson, USA	04/08/2017
Switzerland	2-0	Friendly	Nagano, Japan	22/10/2017
Jordan	2-0	Friendly	Amman, Jordan	24/11/2017

Focus on JORDAN

Kuala Lumpur: With the draw for the Women's Asian Cup 2018 Jordan on December 9, the-AFC.com starts the countdown by profiling hosts Jordan, who are set to create history next April. 

Head coach: Michael Dickey (USA)

Best finish: Group stage (2014)

But 2018 presents the highlight of the 29-year-old midfield star’s career, as she leads her country in Asia’s flagship women’s tournament on home soil for the first time.

If her from in the qualifying tournament, where she scored nine goals in five matches from midfield, can be used as a guide, the face of Jordanian women’s football will soon be recognised throughout Asia and beyond.

Qualifying stage

Jordan - ‘A’ internationals in 2017

Focus on KOREA REPUBLIC

Kuala Lumpur: Given the difficulty of their qualifying group, just being in the final draw for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup is a success, but Korea Republic will see it as merely the first step on the road to bigger and better things, such are the strides made under Yoon Duk-yeo in recent years.

Head coach: Yoon Duk-yeo (KOR)

AFC Women’s Asian Cup appearances: 1991, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2014

Best finish: Third place (2003)

The former men’s national team defender oversaw a first ever FIFA Women’s World Cup victory over Spain in 2015, but qualifying ahead of a highly-fancied DPR Korea in the Jordan 2018 qualifying tournament held in Pyongyang may rank as an even prouder achievement for Yoon’s team.

In front of 42,000 fans, and having lost their previous nine matches against their neighbours, Korea Republic came from a goal behind to secure a precious 1-1 draw thanks Jang Sel-gi before eventually sealing their place in the Finals on goal difference.

The qualification followed on from a successful Cyprus Cup campaign, where the Koreans narrowly lost the final against Switzerland after earlier beating Scotland and New Zealand.

Key player: Ji So-yun

Now 26, and Korea Republic’s all-time top scorer with 45 international goals, she has enjoyed an excellent club career which has included three Japanese league titles with INAC Kobe Leonessa and two more in England with Chelsea.

Qualifying stage

Korea Republic - A’ internationals in 2017

Focus on PHILIPPINES

Kuala Lumpur: The Philippines have competed in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup eight times before, but all of those appearances came in an era where pre-qualifying wasn’t required, making their qualification for Jordan 2018 a major achievement.

Current FIFA ranking: 70

AFC Women’s Asian Cup appearances: 1981, 1983, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003

Best finish: Group stage (1981, 1983, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003)

 

With a mix of homegrown talent and US-based players, the Malditas were brilliant in their qualifying tournament in Dushanbe, overcoming unfamiliar snowy conditions to rack up successive wins over United Arab Emirates, Iraq and Tajikistan.

 

Seventeen-year-old Sara Castaneda’s late equaliser against Bahrain in the following match was enough to confirm their place in the Finals as Group A runners-up, given eventual group winners Jordan had already qualified as hosts.

The qualification ended 14 years in the wilderness at continental level, and was the first time a Filipino senior national team – male or female – successfully qualified for an Asian Cup Finals.

The Philippines were brought back down to earth by a 5-1 loss to Jordan in their final qualifier, and endured a difficult SEA Games tournament in August, where they suffered heavy defeats to Vietnam, Myanmar and Thailand.

The Philippines will take a youthful side to Jordan 2018, with the vast majority of their squad aged in their late teens or early twenties, and goalkeeper Inna Palacios potentially the youngest captain in the tournament at just 23.

Buda Bautista, the head coach who guided the Philippines to Jordan 2018, was nominated for AFC Women’s Coach of the Year award for her efforts, but has since departed the role, with a replacement to named in the coming weeks.

 

Key player: Eva Madarang

The California-born striker wasn’t even on the national team radar a year ago, but she went from a left-back in American college football to a star international striker in a matter of months, and played a key role in helping the Philippines to the Finals.

Eligible by virtue of her father’s Filipino heritage, Madarang (pictured above, centre) travelled to Manila to try out for the national team ahead of the qualifiers in April and did enough to earn selection in the squad to travel to Tajikistan.

Once in Dushanbe, the then 19-year-old lit up the tournament, scoring the opening goal in all three of her team’s wins, and finishing with four goals – level with teammates Sara Castaneda and Hali Long.

Having missed the SEA Games in August through injury, Madarang will be eager to return to the international stage and show fans throughout Asia what she’s capable of.

Qualifying stage

Teams	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
JORDAN	5	5	0	0	37	3	34	15
PHILIPPINES	5	3	1	1	18	6	12	10
BAHRAIN	5	2	2	1	10	8	2	8
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES	5	2	1	2	5	11	-6	7
TAJIKISTAN	5	1	0	4	3	23	-20	3
IRAQ	5	0	0	5	0	22	-22	0

Philippines - 'A’ internationals in 2017

Opponents	Result	Competition	Venue	Date
UAE	4-0	WAC Qualifiers	Dushanbe, Tajikistan	03/04/2017
Iraq	4-0	WAC Qualifiers	Dushanbe, Tajikistan	05/04/2017
Tajikistan	8-0	WAC Qualifiers	Dushanbe, Tajikistan	07/04/2017
Bahrain	1-1	WAC Qualifiers	Dushanbe, Tajikistan	10/04/2017
Jordan	1-5	WAC Qualifiers	Dushanbe, Tajikistan	12/04/2017
Malaysia	2-1	SEA Games	Shah Alam, Malaysia	15/08/2017
Vietnam	0-3	SEA Games	Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia	17/08/2017
Myanmar	0-6	SEA Games	Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia	22/08/2017
Thailand	1-3	SEA Games	Shah Alam, Malaysia	24/08/2017

Focus on THAILAND

Kuala Lumpur: Thailand come into the draw at the end of a successful year, in which they remained unbeaten in all but their first match against China PR in January.

Head coach: Nuengrutai Srathongvian (THA)

AFC Women’s Asian Cup appearances: 1975, 1977, 1981, 1983, 1986, 1989, 1991, 1995, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2014

The Thais only required two matches to qualify for Jordan 2018.

The AFC Women’s Asian Cup was the setting for one of Thailand’s landmark football moments four years ago, when they beat host nation Vietnam 2-1 to finish fifth and book a first ever ticket to the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

They did Asia proud at Canada 2015, scoring a 3-2 win over Cote d’ivoire in one of the matches of the tournament, and qualification for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France will be at the top of their agenda in Jordan next April.

As in 2014, Thailand will be coached by Nuengrutai Srathongivan, but she has only recently returned to the senior role, with former English Premier League defender Spencer Prior at the helm from May 2016 until September 2017.

Prior moved on following the SEA Games, where Thailand somewhat disappointingly missed out on a gold medal on goal difference after they were held to a draw by regional rivals Vietnam.

Thailand are likely to bring a highly experienced team to Jordan, with Naphat Seesraum, Nisa Romyen and Taneekarn Dangda just a few of the seasoned internationals at Nuengrutai’s disposal.

Key player: Orathai Srimanee

She became the first Thai player – male or female – to score at a senior 11-a-side FIFA World Cup, and added a second in the same match against Cote d’Ivoire to help Thailand to their first ever win on the global stage two years ago, and she has provided goals ever since.

Orathai was on the scoresheet against Palestine in Jordan 2018 qualifying, and hit three goals, including a crucial late winner against Myanmar, in the SEA Games in August.

Qualifying method

Thailand - 'A’ internationals in 2017

Focus on VIETNAM

Kuala Lumpur: Of the eight teams to learn their AFC Women’s Asian Cup opponents on December 9, only Vietnam can boast an unbeaten record in 2017.

Head coach: Mai Duc Chung (VIE)

AFC Women’s Asian Cup appearances: 1999, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2014

A perfect four wins from four matches on home soil in April secured qualification for Jordan 2018, before a near-flawless week of football in Kuala Lumpur helped Mai Duc Chung’s side to a fifth Kuala Lumpur SEA Games gold medal in August.

Vietnam were imperious in qualifying, racking up 25 goals in successive wins over Syria, Singapore and Islamic Republic of Iran before producing an excellent team performance to beat a strong Myanmar side 2-0 in the crucial final match in Hanoi.

Those matches showed a team underpinned by organisation, technical proficiency and fitness – as they produced four excellent performances in seven days – qualities which were confirmed with a similarly impressive run of results in Malaysia in August.

Vietnam came agonisingly close to qualifying for a first ever FIFA Women’s World Cup when they hosted the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in 2014, but suffered a 2-1 defeat to Southeast Asian neighbours Thailand.

In 2018, they will be hoping to go a step further, and with a legion of talented players coming into the peak years of their careers, they have every chance to make history in Jordan.

Key player: Huynh Nhu

She continued her fine form at the SEA Games later in the year, scoring against the Philippines, Myanmar and Malaysia to help her country to a gold medal.

The Tra Vinh native was the female winner of the Golden Ball, Vietnam’s highest individual accolade, in 2016, and having just turned 26, is entering her footballing prime at the best possible time.

Qualifying method

Vietnam - A’ internationals in 2017