Latest news with #AsianWomen'sChampionsLeague
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Why Wuhan's Asian WCL triumph is much more than a moment of glitter
Continental club competitions present opportunities like no other. A precious yet highly elusive chance to test one's mettle against unknown opposition amid unfamiliar surroundings. For players, coaches and their respective clubs alike, this is where many believe true growth occurs. And it wasn't just Lisbon that played host to these virtues this past weekend as a new dawn for women's football arose in Asia. The final of the inaugural AFC Women's Champions League took place in China with host club, Wuhan Jiangda, edging out Melbourne City after a nerve-racking penalty shootout following a tight, and often physical, 120 minutes of playing time with the score tied at 1-1. The Wuhan manager, Chang Weiwei, could not have been prouder, lauding his side's efforts after the game: 'I have to thank the whole team for believing in the coaching staff and for emerging victories after a difficult journey,' the 47-year-old said. In the opposing dugout Michael Matricciani was magnanimous in defeat: 'We love football for exactly these moments, sometimes it goes your way and sometimes it doesn't,' he said. 'I think we played extremely well for 120 minutes, especially towards the end.' The decisive save from the Wuhan goalkeeper Chen Chen sparked joyous celebrations as the hosts, who enjoyed home advantage thanks to the AFC's decision to select their stadium as the venue for the semi-finals and final, took to the podium to lift the trophy against a backdrop of confetti and jubilant faces. The triumph, however, is much more than just a moment of glamour and glitter because the occasion signals a new and promising era for the women's game in Asia. As continental champions Wuhan's participation in next year's Women's Champions Cup is now confirmed. They are also expected to be assigned one of three AFC berths for the inaugural Women's Club World Cup in 2028 that was announced by the global governing body this year. Until now, cross-confederation competitions have been in all too short supply with teams having little means of testing their strength against clubs of vastly different football cultures. Fifa's efforts to enhance global interconnectivity will surely go some way in bridging this gap. The prize money offered by the Asian Football Confederation for the Asian Women's Champions League is equally significant. An eye-watering $1.3m (£960,000) was awarded to the winners, Wuhan, with each group-stage participant receiving $100,000. Incremental amounts are added to the team's total purse as they progress through the competition until elimination. This is at a similar level to the $1.36m Arsenal received for winning the European Champions League, so the ambition Asia's governing body has for its shiny new women's club football competition is clear. Putting this into further perspective, Japan's WE League awarded its champions, Tokyo Verdy Beleza, $140,000 this season. In the Champions League this amount would be surpassed once a team secures group-stage qualification to go into the quarter-finals with the eventual winners taking home nearly 10 times that of the champions of one of Asia's top leagues. However, it remains to be seen how these funds are used as it is discretional. The notion is that it is to aid the development and sustainability of women's football at local level, but there is seemingly no framework in place to ensure the trickle-down effect runs its course. As a spectacle the event went some way in serving as a showcase tournament for women's club football in Asia. A record crowd of 18,715 attended the final with 4,977 out for the host club's semi against Ho Chi Minh City. The non-centralised quarter-finals also saw 3,243 fans turn out at the Kumagaya Athletic Stadium, just north of Tokyo, as Urawa Reds Ladies also fell victim to Wuhan's penalty kick prowess. Naturally the numbers are not as impressive at the start of the tournament but overall they do stack up respectably when compared with other continental competitions. Meanwhile, the present reality of women's football on the Asian continent must be viewed with a balanced lens. The majority of domestic competitions fall into the category of what many would class as 'developing leagues' with issues such as player welfare and commercial viability paling in comparison to the top leagues of Europe and North America. The latest Fifa women's football benchmarking report finds that benefits such as financial compensation and pregnancy support are little to nonexistent while commercial items such as match broadcasting and the offering of season tickets take an equally primitive form. All this is to say that this competition should be considered a first, but notably progressive, step on a long road towards greater things. But for now the AFC's efforts are to be commended. The commitment shown, both financial and otherwise, appear to be of a chicken-before-egg nature as it makes the necessary investments to enable a prosperous and sustainable future. If you have any questions or comments about any of our newsletters please email This is an extract from our free weekly email, Moving the Goalposts. To get the full edition, . Moving the Goalposts is back in to its twice-weekly format, delivered to your inboxes every Tuesday and Thursday.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Why Wuhan's Asian WCL triumph is much more than a moment of glitter
Continental club competitions present opportunities like no other. A precious yet highly elusive chance to test one's mettle against unknown opposition amid unfamiliar surroundings. For players, coaches and their respective clubs alike, this is where many believe true growth occurs. And it wasn't just Lisbon that played host to these virtues this past weekend as a new dawn for women's football arose in Asia. The final of the inaugural AFC Women's Champions League took place in China with host club, Wuhan Jiangda, edging out Melbourne City after a nerve-racking penalty shootout following a tight, and often physical, 120 minutes of playing time with the score tied at 1-1. Advertisement The Wuhan manager, Chang Weiwei, could not have been prouder, lauding his side's efforts after the game: 'I have to thank the whole team for believing in the coaching staff and for emerging victories after a difficult journey,' the 47-year-old said. In the opposing dugout Michael Matricciani was magnanimous in defeat: 'We love football for exactly these moments, sometimes it goes your way and sometimes it doesn't,' he said. 'I think we played extremely well for 120 minutes, especially towards the end.' The decisive save from the Wuhan goalkeeper Chen Chen sparked joyous celebrations as the hosts, who enjoyed home advantage thanks to the AFC's decision to select their stadium as the venue for the semi-finals and final, took to the podium to lift the trophy against a backdrop of confetti and jubilant faces. The triumph, however, is much more than just a moment of glamour and glitter because the occasion signals a new and promising era for the women's game in Asia. Advertisement As continental champions Wuhan's participation in next year's Women's Champions Cup is now confirmed. They are also expected to be assigned one of three AFC berths for the inaugural Women's Club World Cup in 2028 that was announced by the global governing body this year. Until now, cross-confederation competitions have been in all too short supply with teams having little means of testing their strength against clubs of vastly different football cultures. Fifa's efforts to enhance global interconnectivity will surely go some way in bridging this gap. The prize money offered by the Asian Football Confederation for the Asian Women's Champions League is equally significant. An eye-watering $1.3m (£960,000) was awarded to the winners, Wuhan, with each group-stage participant receiving $100,000. Incremental amounts are added to the team's total purse as they progress through the competition until elimination. This is at a similar level to the $1.36m Arsenal received for winning the European Champions League, so the ambition Asia's governing body has for its shiny new women's club football competition is clear. Putting this into further perspective, Japan's WE League awarded its champions, Tokyo Verdy Beleza, $140,000 this season. In the Champions League this amount would be surpassed once a team secures group-stage qualification to go into the quarter-finals with the eventual winners taking home nearly 10 times that of the champions of one of Asia's top leagues. Advertisement However, it remains to be seen how these funds are used as it is discretional. The notion is that it is to aid the development and sustainability of women's football at local level, but there is seemingly no framework in place to ensure the trickle-down effect runs its course. As a spectacle the event went some way in serving as a showcase tournament for women's club football in Asia. A record crowd of 18,715 attended the final with 4,977 out for the host club's semi against Ho Chi Minh City. The non-centralised quarter-finals also saw 3,243 fans turn out at the Kumagaya Athletic Stadium, just north of Tokyo, as Urawa Reds Ladies also fell victim to Wuhan's penalty kick prowess. Naturally the numbers are not as impressive at the start of the tournament but overall they do stack up respectably when compared with other continental competitions. Meanwhile, the present reality of women's football on the Asian continent must be viewed with a balanced lens. The majority of domestic competitions fall into the category of what many would class as 'developing leagues' with issues such as player welfare and commercial viability paling in comparison to the top leagues of Europe and North America. The latest Fifa women's football benchmarking report finds that benefits such as financial compensation and pregnancy support are little to nonexistent while commercial items such as match broadcasting and the offering of season tickets take an equally primitive form. All this is to say that this competition should be considered a first, but notably progressive, step on a long road towards greater things. Advertisement But for now the AFC's efforts are to be commended. The commitment shown, both financial and otherwise, appear to be of a chicken-before-egg nature as it makes the necessary investments to enable a prosperous and sustainable future. Gunners' glory in Lisbon Arsenal beat Barcelona 1-0 in the European Champions League final, collecting their first European silverware since 2007. Here is the match report from Suzanne Wrack. Jonathan Liew wrote about how the unexpected triumph will redefine how Arsenal see themselves. The Arsenal head coach, Renée Slegers, talked of her pride at the team's performance, while Tom Garry gave only one player on the pitch a rating of nine out of 10 – but who was it? The Arsenal celebration party included a Jess Glynne concert and a passionate speech by Josh Kroenke, among other things. It has been a rollercoaster season for Chloe Kelly; before Christmas she was struggling to get playing time at Manchester City, but now she's ended the season as a European champion. And here's how the Gunners continued the party back in north London. Quote of the day There's something extra special about Champions League football, we're here with Asia's best and we're looking forward to giving it our best. To have this tournament is not only important to showcase the best of women's football in Asia, but also to inspire the next generation of boys and girls to play the game' – Melbourne City's captain, Rebekah Stott, highlights the importance of Champions League football for the wider game. Talking points Earps quits international football: The England goalkeeper Mary Earps has announced her retirement from the international game with immediate effect. Earps broke the news on Tuesday morning. 'I've spent a long time making this decision and it's not one I've made lightly,' she said. 'For me, ultimately this is the right time for me to step aside and give the younger generation an opportunity to thrive. Winning the Euros in 2022 was the best day of my life, and I'm rooting for the girls to do it again this summer.' Advertisement A first for Suárez: Japan's domestic leagues have proven to be notoriously difficult for overseas talent to establish themselves in but the Spanish forward Carlota Suárez has broken the mould by becoming the WE League's top scorer – the first foreigner to achieve that feat – this season with 13 goals for INAC Kobe, hinting at a shift in the country's football landscape. Gotham success: In a weekend of continental club football firsts the NWSL side Gotham FC defeated UANL Tigres 1-0 in front of a 17,264 crowd in Monterrey, Mexico. Esther González's follow-up rebound after a botched penalty effort secured the 1-0 win for the American side. Howat the hero: Kirsty Howat scored twice as Rangers beat Glasgow City 3-0 in the Scottish Cup final on Sunday. Mia McAulay was also on target as Glasgow finished the game with 10 players, Samantha van Diemen having been sent off late on. The win completed a cup double for Rangers this season. Recommended viewing This season's WE League MVP, Yuzuki Yamamoto, played an instrumental role in the 3-0 win against JEF United Chiba Ladies that sealed the title for Tokyo Verdy Beleza, scoring twice from outside the box. The wide attacker is renowned for her long-range efforts and the big leagues are sure to be watching with a keen eye. Recommended listening The latest Women's Football Weekly podcast will be out later on Tuesday. You'll be able to find it here or wherever you get your pods. Still want more? The Scotland captain, Rachel Corsie, has revealed she has battled through chronic pain to ensure she could end her career with the dream scenario of playing for her country. The 35-year-old will retire after the forthcoming Nations League matches against Austria and the Netherlands. Advertisement The France coach, Laurent Bonadei, has taken the brave decision to drop the captain Wendie Renard, the vice-captain Eugénie Le Sommer and the experienced midfielder Kenza Dali for the upcoming Nations League games. It is hard seeing them return for the Euros now. And the Guardian exclusively revealed that Disney+ is to enter the women's football market after winning the Champions League rights for the four next seasons.
Straits Times
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Goalkeeper Chen denies Melbourne City as Wuhan win Asian title on penalties
China's Wuhan Jiangdu won the inaugural Asian Women's Champions League with a 5-4 shoot-out victory over Melbourne City on Saturday as substitute goalkeeper Chen Chen made a pair of saves to claim the title after a 1-1 draw at the end of extra time. Chen denied City captain Rebekah Stott in the final round of regulation spot kicks to take the shoot-out into sudden death and then kept out Bryleeh Henry's attempt, securing the $1 million first prize for Wuhan in front of their own fans. Wuhan had needed a penalty from Wang Shuang in the eighth minute of injury time to take proceedings into extra time after a header by 17-year-old City midfielder Shelby McMahon had given the Australians the lead with 16 minutes remaining. The win makes Wuhan the first team to claim the title following the creation of the competition last year. The Asian Football Confederation had previously run a series of pilot events under the Asian Women's Club Championship banner. China international Wang had almost opened the scoring with the final kick of the first half, forcing City goalkeeper Malena Mieres to tip a dipping long-range effort over the bar. Chen, introduced as a substitute for Ding Xuan at halftime, denied McMahon four minutes after the restart when she blocked the midfielder's low strike on the run and five minutes later she kept out Henry's close-range attempt. The action switched to the opposite end and Mieres dropped to her left to push Song Duan's goal-bound effort to safety on the hour mark. With 14 minutes remaining City took the lead as McMahon moved into space eight metres from goal to meet McKenna's centre and gave Chen little hope as her well-directed header flew in to her right. But deep into injury time the Chinese were gifted the opportunity to level, with midfielder Mariana Speckmaier handling inadvertently and, after referee Asaka Koizumi pointed to the spot, Wang stepped up to score. City squandered several chances to win the game in extra time and could have taken the title in the shoot-out after Mieres saved Song's penalty in the fourth round. Stott saw her chance to win the title saved by Chen and, after Zhao Yuxin scored the first penalty in sudden death, the Chinese goalkeeper dived to her right to keep out Henry's strike to win the title. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Wuhan, Melbourne City to meet in Asian Women's Champions League final
Wuhan Jiangda will face Melbourne City in Saturday's Asian Women's Champions League final after the Chinese side handed Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City a 2-0 defeat on Wednesday while the Australians notched up a 1-0 win over Incheon Red Angels. China international Wang Shuang sent hosts Wuhan on their way to victory in their semi-final when she calmly bent a left-foot shot around Ho Chi Minh goalkeeper Quach Thu Em in the 34th minute. Song Duan then doubled the advantage nine minutes into the second half with a clinical strike from 25 yards out that left Thu Em motionless on her goal-line, confirming Wuhan's progress to the decider. Melbourne booked their place in the final when 17-year-old substitute Shelby McMahon struck four minutes into injury time to defeat the South Koreans. McMahon, who had been introduced at halftime, thumped home an unstoppable right-foot drive from 25 yards into the top corner of Kim Min-jung's goal to keep alive the Australian side's title hopes. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Hindustan Times
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Age should not be a problem for any coach: Anthony Andrews
Kolkata: Here's a stat: In four seasons as head coach in the Indian Women's League (IWL), the worst performance for Anthony Andrews has been a second-place finish. Here's another: With an 85% win record, Andrews is the most successful women's team coach in the top flight in India. Not bad for someone who will be 30 next January and started coaching as a side hustle. 'Age should not be a problem for any coach,' Andrews told HT after his third IWL title, this time with East Bengal. 'You get respect for what you do on the pitch. If that is helping the players, you have earned their respect.' It is evident Andrews has, at East Bengal. A club official told HT that as they overhauled the roster with India internationals (Ashalata Devi, Soumya Guguloth, Anju Tamang, Panthoi Chanu and Sandhiya Ranganathan) and foreign players, some of them said they were signing because he was coach. Explains why East Bengal paid Gokulam Kerala to get Andrews who had a year on his contract there. Put that to Andrews and he said: 'I think we have built that trust. And the players know how I work. And everybody wants to win.' Win East Bengal did and in some style. They had a 100% record at home and dropped only five points in the eight-team, 14-match competition on way to their first IWL title. It was also some turnaround for the 104-year-old club who had finished sixth among seven teams in 2023-24. 'The competition was good – HOPS who were relegated, beat Gokulam Kerala and the table changed – but we had players who had previously won. They passed on the experience to the new players,' said Andrews. This title gave Andrews validation. 'The pressure was on me to prove a point. The mental toll was so heavy that you start to doubt yourself. That too after having proved yourself,' he said. Andrews was referring to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) appointing him head coach and then removing him before he could join because a number of India players wrote to the federation asking for Thomas Dennerby continue till the Olympic qualifiers. 'In two years, I have not spoken about it. But I'll tell you this: no human being should be made to go through what I did. I had thought of quitting. The federation did what it had to do and I have nothing against anybody but I will tell them this: do not disrespect an Indian coach unless you have seen them work.' Let's not talk about this, Andrews says again, lifting his cap and putting it back again as his players enter the banquet hall where we are sat for their pre-training evening snack. 'But I felt more pressure to prove myself. I think I have. Missing the IWL title by two points last season and winning it this time.' Has he asked the players about their letter? 'No. Don't want to either. But they have asked me to join the national team.' For now, his attention is on East Bengal, the Kanyashri Cup they play for the Kolkata league beginning this week, the Asian Women's Champions League and giving '200% to defend the IWL title.' Andrews has an AFC A licence, the second highest coaching badge in the continent. What began as a way to augment income because of an anterior cruciate ligament injury on the right leg when he was 19 is now a profession. 'I was paid per session for working with toddlers in Mumbai's Premier India Football Academy (PIFA). Initially, it was just for the money. 'It helped me have surgery but then I had another ACL injury on the same leg and it was then that I started coaching seriously.' From PIFA, to Minerva Punjab's youth team to clubs in Gujarat and Karnataka, Andrews was ploughing along when Gokulam Kerala came up with an offer. Working with the women's team needed preparation, Andrews said. 'I spoke to people, read up all I could and spent five-six months to prepare. The player management aspect becomes more important because their mental and physical abilities can be under stress during the menstrual cycle.' It takes time to build that trust, to get players to open up about this, said Andrews. 'I think I am fortunate to have grown up among sisters.' The first to start video analysis at East Bengal, Andrews and his staff of eight maintain a Google calendar on the squad's menstrual cycles. 'Our players understand talking about it is for their benefit. It helps us find solutions in deciding on training load for that player and how she can be used on match day if at all.'
