The 2018 AFC Women’s Asian Cup set to get underway

The continent’s best women’s national teams will begin the chase for AFC Women’s Asian Cup glory on Saturday (AEST), as West Asia hosts the event for the first time.

After the most competitive qualifying phase in the competition’s history, an exclusive eight teams remain in contention for the title won by Japan in Vietnam four years ago, with the top five teams to qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019.

Over 15 days, the competition is set to provide the canvas for some the world’s best players, including Australia’s AFC Women’s Player of the Year Sam Kerr, Korea Republic and Chelsea star Ji So-yun and no less than six FIFA Women’s World Cup winners for Japan.

Jordan will play host to the tournament, marking the first edition of the tournament in the continent’s west and a significant milestone in the development of the women’s game in the region.

The hosts will headline the opening day of action when they lock horns with the Philippines at Amman International Stadium, while eight-time winners China PR will the face Thailand in the tournament’s first match.

Reigning champions Japan will begin their title defence against Vietnam on Saturday, with the tournament’s highest-ranked team, the Westfield Matildas, to open their campaign against Korea Republic on Sunday morning (AEST).

Westfield Matildas Jordan Training

THE TEAMS

Group A: CHINA PR, JORDAN, PHILIPPINES, THAILAND

Group B: AUSTRALIA, JAPAN, KOREA REPUBLIC, VIETNAM


OPENING FIXTURES

April 6: CHINA PR v THAILAND, JORDAN v PHILIPPINES

April 7: JAPAN v VIETNAM, AUSTRALIA v KOREA REPUBLIC


THE VENUES

Amman International Stadium: Nine matches including final, 3rd/4th place match and 5th/6th place match.

King Abdullah II Stadium: Eight matches including both semi-finals.