Japan, Australia start early preparations for AFC Women's Asian Cup 2018
Kuala Lumpur: Reigning Asian women’s champions Japan will feature a number of new faces, while Australia have named a full-strength squad for the Tournament of Nations, to be held in the United States later this month.
The two sides – listed sixth and seventh respectively in FIFA’s World Rankings – will use the round-robin tournament as a crucial test on the road to next year’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Jordan.
Nadeshiko coach Asako Takakura has selected a squad with an eye to the future, featuring four debutants, and a further 11 players with 10 international appearances or less.
However, the revamped Japanese side can draw on the experience of 2011 Women’s World Cup-winning trio Rumi Utsugi, Mizuho Sakaguchi and Aya Sameshima, as well as talented striker Kumi Yokoyama, who has already scored six international goals in 2017.
Alternatively, Australian boss Alen Stajcic has selected a squad bursting with international experience, with 17-year-old forward Princess Ibini the only uncapped player to earn selection.
The Matildas will be buoyed by the sensational club form of Sam Kerr, who leads the scoring charts in the US-based National Women’s Soccer League.
The West Australian has 10 goals for the season, including four in her last two matches, with outstanding performances for Sky Blue FC earning her back-to-back league Player of the Month awards in May and June.
Kerr is one of five US-based players in the Australian squad, which also includes Japan-based AFC Women’s Player of the Year-winners Caitlin Foord and Katrina Gorry.
Japan will get their campaign underway in Seattle on July 27 against World No. 8 Brazil, before Australia take on host nation and reigning World Champions United States at the same venue.
The 19th AFC Women’s Asian Cup will be held in Jordan, with the continent’s eight strongest women’s national teams to fight for continental glory on West Asian soil for the first time.
JAPAN SQUAD - Goalkeepers: Sakiko Ikeda (Urawa Red Diamonds), Ayaka Yamashita (Nippon TV Beleza), Ayaka Saitoh (Vegalta Sendai); Defenders: Aya Sameshima (INAC Kobe Leonessa), Kaede Nakamura (Albirex Niigata), Riho Sakamoto (AC Nagano Parceiro), Hikari Takagi (Nojima Stella Kanagawa Sagamihara), Ayumi Oya (Ehime FC), Hikaru Kitagawa (Urawa Red Diamonds), Nana Ichise (Vegalta Sendai); Midfielders: Mizuho Sakaguchi (Nippon TV Beleza), Madoka Haji (IGA Football Club Kunoichi), Rumi Utsugi (Seattle Reign/USA), Emi Nakajima (INAC Kobe Leonessa), Hikaru Naomoto (Urawa Red Diamonds), Yu Nakasoto (Nippon TV Beleza), Rin Sumida (Nippon TV Beleza), Yui Hasewaga (Nippon TV Beleza); Forwards: Shiho Tomari (AC Nagano Parceiro), Yuika Sugasawa (Urawa Red Diamonds), Kumi Yokoyama (1.FFC Frankfurt/Germany), Mina Tanaka (Nippon TV Beleza), Yuka Momiki (Nippon TV Beleza).
AUSTRALIA SQUAD - Goalkeepers: Lydia Williams (Houston Dash/USA), Mackenzie Arnold (Brisbane Roar); Defenders: Caitlin Cooper (Western Sydney Wanderers), Claire Polkinghorne (Brisbane Roar), Laura Alleway (unattached), Chloe Logarzo (Avaldsnes/Norway), Steph Catley (Orlando Pride/USA), Alanna Kennedy (Orlando Pride/USA), Ellie Carpenter (Western Sydney Wanderers); Midfielders: Gema Simon (Avaldsnes/Norway), Elise Kellond-Knight (FFC Turbine Potsdam/Germany), Caitlin Foord (Vegalta Sendai/Japan), Emily van Egmond (VfL Wolfsburg/Germany), Tameka Butt (Klepp IL/Norway), Katrina Gorry (Vegalta Sendai/Japan), Alex Chidiac (Adelaide City); Forwards: Lisa De Vanna (South Melbourne), Emily Gielnik (Avaldsnes/Norway), Hayley Raso (Portland Thorns/USA),
IBINI Princess Ibini (Football NSW NTC), Sam Kerr (Sky Blue FC/USA).
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Matchday One: 27 July 2017, Seattle
Brazil v JAPAN
United States v AUSTRALIA
Matchday Two: 30 July 2017, San Diego
JAPAN v AUSTRALIA
United States v Brazil
Matchday Three: 3 August 2017, Carson
AUSTRALIA v Brazil
United States v JAPAN
Photo: AFC
Source: the-afc.com
Comments
This article has 0 comment(s) , give your comment