Latest news with #AsianCupAustralia2026
India.com
06-07-2025
- Sport
- India.com
India Beat Thailand 2-1 In Asia Cup Qualifier, One Step Closer To Australia
Sangita Basfore struck both goals as India defeated Thailand 2-1 to seal qualification to the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 here on Saturday. The victory meant India finished with a perfect 12 points in Group B of the Qualifiers as former champions Thailand missed out. This is the first time the Women in Blue have qualified for the continental cup through the qualifiers route, with their last appearance in the tournament coming in 2003. With identical points and goal difference, both sides needed a victory, but the tie got off to a cagey start with action limited to the middle of the pitch. Thailand enjoyed more possession, but India were solid defensively as they worked tirelessly to close down the spaces. Limited to counterattacks, India made one count in the 29th minute with a spectacular effort from Sangita. The move started in their half, with Anju Tamang cutting the ball back for the unmarked Sangita, who unleashed her shot from just outside the box past a despairing Tiffany Sornpao. Stung by the goal, Thailand upped their tempo but found India a resilient lot, with the hosts limited to half chances as the South Asian side went into the break ahead. Thailand, however, needed only two minutes into the restart to draw level with Chatchawan Rodthong enjoying a stroke of luck as her shot from distance took a wicked bounce to beat India goalkeeper Elangbam Panthoi before settling in the net. India, however, refused to let Thailand build on the goal, and their determination paid dividends in the 74th minute. Defender Nirmala Devi floated her corner across the face of the goalmouth, with the ball finding Shilky Devi, who nodded it across for Sangita to head home past a static Thai defence as India took their place at Australia 2026.
Bangkok Post
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Bangkok Post
Thailand face India with Asian Cup spot on the line
Thailand will take on India on Saturday in Chiang Mai with a place in the finals of the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 on the line. ฺฺThailand and India head into Saturday's winners-take-all Group B tie level on points and goal difference after both teams recorded three successive wins. In case of a draw, the match will be decided by a penalty shootout. The winners of the eight qualifying groups will join the four seeded teams in next year's finals. "We are 100 percent ready for the final match with India. It will be a great game that is worth watching," said Thailand goalkeeper Tiffany Sornpao before a training session on Friday. "The Indian team have strong and fast players. They also have good tactics and have been playing very well in this tournament. "My personal goal is to end the tournament without conceding a goal but the most important thing is we want to beat India tomorrow [today]. "We will try our best to win the match and qualify for the finals," she added. The Thailand v India match will kick off at 7.30pm and will be broadcast live on the Changsuek YouTube channel and the Thai Women's Football Facebook page. Timor Leste and Mongolia will face off in the other group game at 4pm. Thawatchai made coach The Football Association of Thailand (FAT) has officially appointed former Thailand midfielder Thawatchai Dumrong-ongtrakul as head coach of the U23 national team. Thawatchai replaced Japanese coach Takayuki Nishikaya, whose contract has been terminated following a run of five straight losses. Thawatchai is an experienced coach with spells at Chiang Rai United, Pattaya United, Bangkok United, Chainat Hornbill, PT Prachuap and Nongbua Pitchaya. He led Chonburi to the Thailand League 2 title last season. His work will begin at the Asean U23 Championship (Mandiri Cup) in Indonesia from July 15-29. Thailand, who are in Group C, will face Timor Leste on July 19 and then take on Myanmar three days later. Buriram get Cong An again Defending champions Buriram United will face Vietnam's Cong An Ha Noi in the group stage of the Asean Club Championship (Shopee Cup) after a draw ceremony for the 2025/26 season yesterday. Buriram were crowned the first-ever Asean Club champions after they beat Cong An in a penalty shootout following a 5-5 aggregate draw in the two-leg final of the inaugural tournament in May. The other teams in Group A are BG Pathum United, Malaysia's Selangor, Singapore's Tampines Rovers and the winners of playoff 1 between Brunei's Kasuka and Philippines' Dynamic Herb Cebu. Bangkok United are in Group B along with Malaysia's Johor Darul Ta-Zim, Vietnam's Nam Dinh, Singapore's Lion City Sailors, Cambodia's PKR Svay Rieng and the winners of playoff 2 between Laos' Ezra and Myanmar's Shan United.
The Star
30-06-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Coach Conor says Cambodian women footballers deserve encouragement after Hong Kong draw
Player number 23, Voeun Sothan (centre), celebrating her goal with teammates. She helped the Cambodia women's team draw 1–1 with Hong Kong on June 29. - CPL PHNOM PENH: Cambodia women's national team head coach Conor Nestor expressed his satisfaction with the 1–1 draw against Hong Kong. Following the result, which secured a point in their group opener, Conor emphasised that his players deserve encouragement for their efforts as they head into the next two matches in Group G. In the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 qualifiers (Group G) opener, match held at the National Olympic Stadium on Sunday (June 29), the Cambodian team struggled, particularly in defence. Communication issues between the defenders and the goalkeeper allowed Hong Kong several chances in front of goal. During one of these plays, Cambodian defender Vibol Serysitha (#13) attempted to clear a shot from Hong Kong forward Leung Hong Kiu Anke but ended up fouling her in the penalty area. The referee awarded a penalty, which Leung (#22) successfully converted in the 31st minute to give Hong Kong a 1–0 lead. However, the Cambodian team showed resilience and improved significantly in the second half. The stadium erupted with cheers when forward Voeun Sothan scored an equalising goal in the 81st minute, securing a 1–1 result. 'I was really excited to score and help the team equalise. Even though the other team is strong, we played well together today and showed strong determination,' said Sothan. Action from the Group G opening match of the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 qualifiers. CPL She also called on Cambodian fans to attend the next two matches in greater numbers to support the team, noting that Sunday's game had a relatively small crowd. Nestor observed that the Cambodian women played well in the second half and urged the public to give them more encouragement to help boost their morale ahead of their upcoming matches against the Philippines and Saudi Arabia. 'The Hong Kong team has a lot of experience in international competition, so I was pleased to hear the final whistle with a 1–1 result. It was the first time our players have competed at this level,' he told a post-match press conference. 'If our team plays like we did in the second half for the next two games, I believe we can reach a strong position in this group stage of the AFC Women's Asian Cup qualifiers. Our players deserve to be encouraged for their hard work,' added the Irish coach. Hong Kong head coach Jose Ricardo Rambo expressed disappointment that his team couldn't hold on to their 1–0 lead until the end. He acknowledged that Cambodia's pressure in the second half forced the momentum to shift. 'After scoring in the first half, our level dropped a bit. We started the second half quite well, but Cambodia pressured us hard, which made it difficult to play and maintain possession. We tried to change tactics, but it wasn't enough to regain control,' he said. Also on Sunday at the Olympic Stadium, the Philippines women's team defeated Saudi Arabia 3–0, taking the top spot in Group G, for now. Cambodia will next face the Philippines on July 2, while Saudi Arabia will play Hong Kong. - The Phnom Penh/ANN
The Hindu
20-06-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Iran-Israel conflict affects football: Singapore's Women's Asian Cup Qualifiers in Jordan postponed
Women's Asian Cup qualifiers scheduled for next week in Jordan have been postponed due to the air war between Iran and Israel, the Football Association of Singapore said. The Singapore team had been expected to travel to Amman to face Jordan as well as Iran, Lebanon and Bhutan in the preliminary rounds for the 2026 finals, which are to be held in Australia next March. The qualifiers had been scheduled to kick off on Monday and run through July 5. 'The Lionesses will face a delay to the start of their AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 qualifying campaign, after the Asian Football Confederation announced the postponement of all Group A matches,' the association said in a statement. 'The AFC cited the ongoing situation in the region and logistical concerns raised by several Participating Member Associations as reasons for the change. 'A new neutral venue is expected to host the group fixtures, but has yet to be confirmed.' Reuters has contacted the AFC for comment. Israel began attacking Iran last Friday, saying it aimed to prevent its long-time enemy from developing nuclear weapons. Iran retaliated with missile and drone strikes on Israel. It says its nuclear programme is peaceful. Related Topics Singapore / Jordan
TimesLIVE
20-06-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Women's Asian Cup qualifiers postponed due to Israel-Iran conflict, Singapore FA says
Women's Asian Cup qualifiers scheduled for next week in Jordan have been postponed due to the air war between Iran and Israel, the Football Association of Singapore said. The Singapore team had been expected to travel to Amman to face Jordan, Iran, Lebanon and Bhutan in the preliminary rounds for the 2026 finals, which are to be held in Australia next March. The qualifiers had been scheduled to kick off on Monday and run until July 5. "The Lionesses will face a delay to the start of their AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 qualifying campaign after the Asian Football Confederation announced the postponement of all Group A matches," the association said. "The AFC cited the ongoing situation in the region and logistical concerns raised by several participating member associations as reasons for the change. "A new neutral venue is expected to host the group fixtures, but has yet to be confirmed." Reuters has contacted the AFC for comment. Israel began attacking Iran last Friday, saying it aimed to prevent its longtime enemy from developing nuclear weapons. Iran retaliated with missile and drone strikes on Israel. It said its nuclear programme is peaceful.
