Asia's best ready to take on the world
Kuala Lumpur: With less than a year until the 2018 AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Jordan, Asia’s two highest-ranked national teams are set to take on two of the world’s best national teams at the Tournament of Nations in the United States.
Australia and Japan – AFC Women’s Asian Cup winners in 2010 and 2014 respectively – will lock horns with current Women’s World Cup holders, the United States, and South American champions Brazil in the inaugural round-robin event.
With the tournament to begin in Seattle later on Thursday, we preview the opening matches.
Japan v Brazil
FIFA Rankings: Japan 6, Brazil 8
Head-to-head: 8 matches (Japan 4 wins, Brazil 3 wins, 1 draw)
Last meeting: Japan 2 Brazil 0 – 2012 Olympic Games; London, England.
Fresh from a fruitful European tour, Asako Takakura’s regenerated Japan squad begin their campaign with a first meeting against South American champions Brazil since 2012.
The youthful Nadeshiko scored an impressive 1-0 away over Women’s Euro 2017 hosts Netherlands last month with star forward Kumi Yokoyama continuing a goal-laden year at the international level, before being held 1-1 by Belgium four days later.
The striker - who emerged as the breakout star at this year’s Algarve Cup in Portugal - has found the net six times in her last seven appearances, accounting for half of Japan’s international goal tally in 2017.
Despite her tender age of 23, Yokoyama is one of the Japanese squad’s most experienced names. Along with 2011 Women’s World Cup winners Rumi Utsugi, Mizuho Sakaguchi and Aya Sameshima, the striker is one of only six squad members with more than 12 caps, while five members of the touring party are yet make their international debuts.
With next year’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup on the horizon, and places in the final squad up for grabs, the reigning Asian champions’ young brigade will have to contend with one of the women’s game’s biggest global stars - Brazil’s legendary forward Marta.
Now 15 years into a glittering career, despite only having turned 31 in February, the iconic forward has racked up over 100 international goals, and shows little sign of slowing; having notched eight goals for club side Orlando Pride so far this campaign.
Marta is one of six Brazilian squad members to ply their trade in the elite US-based National Women’s Soccer League, while Thursday’s match represents a home game of sorts for Japanese star Rumi Utsugi, who plays her club football in Seattle, with Seattle Reign FC.
United States v Australia
FIFA Rankings: United States 1, Australia 7
Head-to-head: 26 matches (United States 24 wins, 2 draws)
Last meeting: United States 3 Australia 1 – 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup; Winnipeg, Canada.
With Australia still searching for a maiden international victory against the United States, the hosts are firm favourites for Thursday’s headline encounter, but the Matildas have plenty to be excited about.
Fresh from winning the Julie Dolan Medal for the outstanding player in Australia’s 2016-17 W-League season, Sam Kerr has taken the US-based NWSL by storm, scoring 11 goals in 15 matches, and winning the league’s Player of the Week award twice.
In a remarkable performance earlier this month, with her Sky Blue FC side trailing FC Kansas City 2-0, Kerr provided an unforgettable 12-minute hat-trick to secure a 3-2 win, becoming the league’s all-time top scorer in the process.
The 2010 AFC Women’s Asian Cup winner is one of five Matildas currently based in the US, with a further seven plying their trade in Europe.
Australian boss Alen Stajcic’s outfit also features Caitlin Foord and Katrina Gorry – both AFC Women’s Player of the Year winners – who play their club football for Japan’s Vegalta Sendai.
While Australia’s squad would intimidate many international teams, the United States team list includes some of the most decorated names in the history of the women’s game.
The three-time World Champions boast a glittering array of talent and experience including FIFA Player of the Year Carli Lloyd, as well as global stars Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan and Christen Press.
Despite their status as Women’s World Cup holders and current position of number one in FIFA’s global rankings, the United States’ have endured – by their lofty standards – something of a challenging past 12 months.
The Americans, like Australia, were eliminated on penalties at the quarter final stage of the Rio Olympics, and suffered rare consecutive home losses to England and France in March’s SheBelieves Cup.
However, they have since bounced back with four consecutive international victories, suggesting an exceptional performance will be required by Australia if they are to finally beat coach Jill Ellis’ team at the 27th attempt.
Source: the-afc.com
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