LONDON • Among the five teams to represent Asia at this year's Women's World Cup in France, Japan and China are likely to have the continent on edge as they seek to advance far in the tournament.
The Japanese team who were world champions in 2011 became a symbol of the nation's recovery from the devastating earthquake and tsunami earlier that year, as well as an inspiration for women's football around the globe.
A number of younger players from the 2011 generation have matured to provide the current side with leaders in every area, including defenders Saki Kumagai and Aya Sameshima, midfielders Mizuho Sakaguchi and Rumi Utsugi, plus forward Mana Iwabuchi.
They are joined by a new crop with plenty of international experience, such as Moeka Minami in defence, Yui Hasegawa and Hina Sugita in midfield, and Rikako Kobayashi up front.
Japan have a style of play underpinned by hard work and good technique, demonstrating an ability to punish opponents with patient build-up and coordinated pressing.
But in a modern world where tactical trends are increasingly homogenised, Japan no longer possess the kind of qualities to stand themselves apart.
The 25-year-old forward Kumi Yokoyama is a real threat to defences however, capable of dribbling through tight spaces.
The Guardian predicts that Japan will reach the round of 16 at least.
For China, runners-up in 1999, they were just one step away from their first Asian title since 2007 in the Indonesian Asian Games last year, before being beaten by a last-minute Japan goal in the final.
The young generation of the Iron Rose are attempting to restore the team to their former glory, yet they are still some distance from the peaks they reached in the 1990s.
The defence, led by captain Wu Haiyan, is pretty settled but the line-up of the rest of the team depends on where the key forward, Wang Shuang, plays. She often has a free role and is expected to be firing on all cylinders after a largely successful season in France with Paris Saint-Germain.
Having reached the quarter-finals four years ago in Canada, coach Jia Xiuquan has said he would love to go one step further in France. But given the quality of the team, another appearance in the last eight might be more realistic.
South Korea, who reached the last 16 in 2015, will count on Chelsea midfielder Ji So-yun's experience of playing in Europe.
Nicknamed "Ji Messi" by fans who regard her as the female equivalent of the Barcelona great, she is their record scorer with 54 goals in 115 appearances.
Australia will be led by captain and striker Sam Kerr, 25, as they hope to improve on their quarter-final exit four years ago.
Thailand did not make it past the group stage in 2015 and will seek a better finish this time round.
THE GUARDIAN, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
China strips South Korea of football trophy for disrespecting Panda Cup. China lodged a complaint upon South Korean footballers disrespecting their Panda Cup trophy by posing for a photo with a foot on trophy. S. Korean players asked for forgiveness but the apology was of no avail and players had to let go of trophy.
Football: Singaporean coach Akbar Nawas is I-League's best coach as champions Chennai City sweep awards - The Straits Times; Singaporean, 36, died in Bintan while on diving course; Huawei P30 Series Singapore Launch Event - VivoCity 6 April 2019 - Geek Culture; Singaporean, 36, died in Bintan while on diving course - The Straits Times
Singapore Football News from Singapore, Latest Singapore
news.trendingnews.co.in/singapore/singapore-football
Football: Singaporean coach Akbar Nawas is I-League's best coach as champions Chennai City sweep awards The Straits Times. SINGAPORE - Singaporean Akbar Nawas has been named the I-League's best coach after leading Chennai City to their first title earlier this month.. Read more
Pedro News from Singapore, Latest Pedro News from Singapore
news.trendingnews.co.in/singapore/pedro
Get the Pedro News from Singapore, Latest Pedro News from Singapore, Trending Pedro News from Singapore, Current Pedro News From Singapore on trendingnews.co.in. Grab exclusive coverage on breaking national news, current politics, regional and educational news with trending now, most popular from Singapore.
SJFI - Sports Journalists Federation Of India
sjfi.in
At the post-match conference, Akbar Nawas, head coach of Chennai City, cut a delighted figure. He began the conference by praising his goalkeeper Boerchio for a stunning performance. "He has been performing very well for our last couple of games. He has been coming into the picture very well. As you know he just joined us recently.
Frederick County Virginia
frederickcountyvirginia.cf/Oconto_County-Wisconsin/Oconto_County-Wisconsin_uky.php
Frederick County | Virginia. Oconto County Wisconsin; Day County South Dakota; Netherlands Mook en Middelaar
More than 750 million television viewers watched the FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015™, as the FIFA's flagship women's competition delivered all-time record viewing figures.
Women's World Cup 2019 set to break TV records as England's
Football: 'Angry' Thomas Muller questions Joachim Low decision after Germany axe MUNICH (REUTERS) - Germany coach Joachim Low's decision to end Thomas Muller's international career has left the Bayern Munich midfielder "angry" and struggling to come to terms with the manner in which he received the news.
'Angry' Mueller questions Loew decision after Germany axe
Football News: Norwich City secured promotion to the English Premier League after a three-year absence with a 2-1 win at home to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.
Norwich promoted to EPL after 3-year absence | FOX Sports
Southampton continued their revival under new manager Ralph Hasenhuettl as goals from Nathan Redmond, Danny Ings and Michael Obafemi sealed a 3-1 Premier League victory at Huddersfield Town on
Resurgent Southampton power past Huddersfield Town - Football
footballnote.com/resurgent-southampton-power-past-huddersfield-town/
Resurgent Southampton power past Huddersfield Town 12:54 PM ET Southampton continued their revival under new manager Ralph Hasenhuettl as goals from Nathan Redmond, Danny Ings and Michael Obafemi sealed a 3-1 Premier League victory at Huddersfield Town on Saturday.
Southampton power past Huddersfield Town - SuperSport - Football
adtest.supersport.com/football/premier-league/news/181222/Southampton_power_past_Huddersfield_Town
Southampton continued their revival under new manager Hasenhuettl as goals from Redmond, Ings and Obafemi sealed a 3-1 Premier League victory at Huddersfield Town on Saturday.
Southampton power past struggling Huddersfield Town
Their Eyes Were Watching God (Book) : Hurston, Zora Neale : A PBS Great American Read Top 100 Pick A deeply soulful novel that comprehends love and cruelty, and separates the big people from the small of heart, without ever losing sympathy for those unfortunates who don't know how to live properly.
Warnock proud of Cardiff response to Sala tragedy at Arsenal AFP January 29, 2019 AFP No Comments London (AFP) - Cardiff manager Neil Warnock revealed his pride despite losing 2-1 at Arsenal on Tuesday as the Welsh side returned to action for the first time since a plane carrying the club's record signing Emiliano Sala disappeared over the
Warnock proud of Cardiff response to Sala tragedy at Arsenal
SINGAPORE - Former Football Association of Singapore (FAS) general secretary Winston Lee has been appointed by the Asean Football Federation (AFF) as its new General Secretary.. Read more at
Football: Ex-FAS general secretary Winston Lee appointed as
sportsloveme.com/soccer/football-ex-fas-general-secretary-winston-lee-appointed-as-new-gen-sec-of-asean-football-federation/
SINGAPORE - Former Football Association of Singapore (FAS) general secretary Winston Lee has been appointed by the Asean Football Federation (AFF) as its new General Secretary. It is understood that the 53-year-old's contract is for an initial two years.
Football: Ex-FAS general secretary Winston Lee appointed as
Football: Zohore gives Cardiff 2-1 win over Southampton in thrilling finish Cardiff City's Kenneth Zohore celebrates scoring their second goal with team mates. PHOTO: REUTERS
Zohore gives Cardiff 2-1 win over Southampton in thrilling finish
UK rescuers end search for missing plane carrying soccer
Pep Guardiola's bid to win the Champions League for the first time since 2011 will come under threat from his old friend Mauricio Pochettino when Manchester City face Tottenham in the quarter-final second leg later on Wednesday.
Pochettino plans to ruin old pal Guardiola's Champions League bid
Germany has a bright future in the 2019 Women's World Cup and beyond. Giulia Gwinn, the soccer side's mercurial midfielder scored the winning goal against China on Saturday — and she's only 19
Germany Women's - China Women's 1:0 | Giulia Gwinn goals
MADRID (REUTERS) - Real Madrid have signed Serbia striker Luka Jovic from Eintracht Frankfurt for 60 million euros (S$92 million), television channel Sky Germany said on Thursday (May 16).. Read
Real Madrid agree Luka Jovic signing for 60 million euros
Women's Team Sues Over 'Institutionalized' Discrimination Players for the US women's national soccer team have filed a federal gender much of the pay disparity between the men's and women
Team USA women's soccer players fight for equal pay - 60
0 comments:
Post a Comment