wf072: AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026 Group Stage Results

[The tournament]
AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026 is being held. The final will be held on March 21st. This tournament will determine the Asian Champion as named but also the six Asian spots for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027. The Nadeshiko belong to Group C.

[Group stage results]
The Nadeshiko’s matches in Group C are as follows.

3/4 Japan 2-0 Chinese Taipei at Perth Rectangular Stadium (Perth / Boorloo)
Japan’s goals: M. Tanikawa (61’), K. Seiko (90’+2)
Japan’s ball possession rate was 89.5%.
Boorloo is the Nyoongar name for the area in Western Australia’s capital city of Perth. The match was played under the scorching sun during the day. The Nadeshiko had to wait until the second half to score. It seemed to be a typical first match of a major tournament. Taiwan may have played the match with the estimated goal difference of their group stage in mind.

3/7 India 0-11 Japan at at Perth Rectangular Stadium (Perth / Boorloo)
Japan’s goals: Y. Yamamoto (4′), Y. Hasegawa (13′), H. Miyazawa (20′, 35′, 81′), K. Seike (45’+5, 55’), R. Ueki (47′, 50′, 65′), M. Hijikata (62′)
Japan’s ball possession rate was 79.9%.
Yuzuki Yamamoto’s goal at 4 minute made the game easier. Maya Hijikata’s first goal for the Nadeshiko was a positive. Their nine substitutions in the starting lineup proved to be a good decision. Those who had not played in the two matches were Akane Okuma, Rion Ishikawa (absence due to her injury), and Manaka Matsukubo.

3/10 Japan 4-0 Vietnam at Perth Rectangular Stadium (Perth / Boorloo)
Japan’s goals: R. Ueki (21′), M. Hamano (51′), A. Fujino (64′), K. Seike (67′)
Japan’s ball possession rate was 80.5%.
Around CF Riko Ueki, the other three players in the front line seemed to change their positions almost freely. The solid defense of Vietnam’s goalkeeper Khổng Thị Hằng was a notable feature of the match.

Standings and review of each group are below.
Group A
1. Korea Rep. (7), 2. Australia (7), 3. Philippines (3, -2), 4. IR Iran (0)
Korea Republic had a less ball possession rate in the match against Australia, but they maintained their lead until the score was tied at the last moment. Their two goals in the first 11 minutes of the second half were effective. It was surprising that the host country Australia, who were expected to finish first in the group stage, came in second. On the other hand, I feel high sympathy for the Iranian players in their severe situation.

Group B
1. China PR (9), 2. DPR Korea (6), 3. Uzbekistan (3, -2), 4. Bangladesh (0)
China PR beat Korea DPR to advance to the knockout stage in first place. There were some questionable judges in the match. It was surprising that Korea DPR, who were expected to advance to the quarter finals as a top of the group, came in second.

Group C
1, Japan (9), 2. Chinese Taipei (6), 3. Vietnam (3, -4), 4. India (0)
The Nadeshiko’s first place finish was as expected. Chinese Taipei fought tenaciously to secure second place. Their victory over Vietnam was a big factor. Did Vietnam lack the scoring power?

The quarterfinal matchups are as follows.
QF1 (3/13) Australia vs DPR Korea at Perth Rectangular Stadium (Perth / Boorloo)
QF2 (3/14) China PR vs Chinese Taipei at Perth Rectangular Stadium (Perth / Boorloo)
QF3 (3/14) Korea Rep. vs Uzbekistan at Stadium Australia (Sydney / Gadigal)
QF4 (3/15) Japan vs Philippines at Stadium Australia (Sydney / Gadigal)

I looked into the travel schedule for each team. Australia, Korea DPR, China PR, and Chinese Taipei move from Sydney to Perth. Korea Republic do not travel (they traveled from Gold Coast to Sydney before the final group league match). Uzbekistan and the Nadeshiko move from Perth to Sydney. Philippines move from Gold Coast to Sydney. I’m a little concerned that there is a difference of two days in the match intervals between Japan and Philippines.