Latest news with #SteelRoses
South China Morning Post
2 days ago
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Holders China to face North Korea, Bangladesh, Uzbekistan at 2026 Women's Asian Cup
Defending champions China have been drawn to face North Korea, Bangladesh and Uzbekistan in the group phase of the 2026 Women's Asian Cup, with hosts Australia opening the three-week-long tournament against the Philippines on March 1 in Perth. The Joe Montemurro-coached Matildas will also take on South Korea and Iran in the 12-nation continental championship, while Japan, currently Asia's highest-ranked team, will face Taiwan, Vietnam and India in the group phase. 'For us to have three games all based in Sydney is great, that will give us consistency that our girls will appreciate,' China coach Ante Milicic said. 'North Korea is a bit of an unknown one because we've never played them, but we know that they're very strong, particularly in their youth tournaments and highly ranked in the senior team as well.' The Chinese will be attempting to win a record-extending 10th Asian title after lifting the trophy at the most recent event in India in 2022. Australian Matildas player Tameka Yallop draws champions China for Group B. Photo: EPA The Steel Roses kick off their Group B campaign against debutants Bangladesh at Western Sydney Stadium on March 3 before taking on the Uzbeks three days later and then concluding their group commitments against the North Koreans.
Reuters
2 days ago
- Sport
- Reuters
Champions China drawn to face North Korea at Women's Asian Cup
July 29 (Reuters) - Defending champions China have been drawn to face North Korea, Bangladesh and Uzbekistan in the group phase of the 2026 Women's Asian Cup with hosts Australia opening the three-week-long tournament against the Philippines on March 1 in Perth. The Joe Montemurro-coached Matildas will also take on South Korea and Iran in the 12-nation continental championship while Japan, currently Asia's highest ranked team, will face Taiwan, Vietnam and India in the group phase. "For us to have three games all based in Sydney is great, that will give us consistency that our girls will appreciate," said China coach Ante Milicic. "North Korea is a bit of an unknown one because we've never played them, but we know that they're very strong, particularly in their youth tournaments and highly ranked in the senior team as well." The Chinese will be attempting to win a record-extending 10th Asian title after lifting the trophy at the most recent event in India in 2022. The Steel Roses kick off their Group B campaign against debutants Bangladesh at Western Sydney Stadium on March 3 before taking on the Uzbeks three days later and then concluding their group commitments against the North Koreans. Australia follow up their opener against the Philippines in Group A with a meeting against Iran on the Gold Coast and close out the group phase in Sydney versus South Korea, who knocked the Matildas out in the quarter-finals in 2022. The Japanese, who are aiming to win the title for the first time since 2018, launch their challenge in Group C against Taiwan on March 4 in Perth. They will take on India three days later and meet Vietnam on March 10. The top two in each of the three groups advance to the quarter-finals, where they will be joined by the two third-placed nations with the best records. The tournament also serves as Asia's qualifiers for the 2027 Women's World Cup. The four semi-finalists will progress to the finals in Brazil with two more berths awarded to the winners of playoffs between the losing quarter-finalists. The Asian Cup final will be held at Stadium Australia on March 21.
South China Morning Post
10-07-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
26 years after World Cup final loss to USA, are China's women even best in Asia?
Exactly 26 years after being beaten on penalties in the World Cup final by the United States, China's women have been warned they are in danger of not even being the best side in Asia. While their 1999 rivals have gone on to win the global tournament twice more, and added four Olympic golds, the Steel Roses have spiralled and are now ranked 17th in the world, with Asian Games and Asian Cup golds the peak of their achievements. On Wednesday, they were held to a 2-2 draw by South Korea in their opening game of the East Asian Football Championship, despite going ahead twice. Overthrowing their old foes looks as far away as ever, and China head coach Ante Milicic said they risked losing the Asian Cup crown they won in 2022 if they could not develop a killer instinct. Leading South Korea 2-1 deep into stoppage time at Suwon World Cup Stadium, China were heading for their best result under Milicic's leadership, until Ji So-yun crashed home a long-distance equaliser, leaving China still hunting a notable victory since the Australian Milicic took charge last May. Ji So-yun (No 10) celebrates her brilliant equaliser against China. Photo: AP Of the four defeats they have suffered in 12 matches, the most one-sided was a 3-0 loss to the US last month.
