AFC Women's Champions League
Following Wednesday’s matches, five spots have already been filled with four matches still to be played in Groups B and C that will decide progression or elimination for the teams, with the two best third-placed teams to join the three group winners and runners-up in the knockout stage.
Group B
Melbourne City FC (AUS) v Kaya FC-Iloilo (PHI)
College of Asian Scholars (THA) v Bam Khatoon (IRN)
Melbourne will be looking to end their campaign in style, having already achieved wins over Bam Khatoon (2-1) and College of Asian Scholars (3-0).
Top spot is assured for the Australian side with head coach Michael Matricciani possibly looking to give playing minutes to those who didn’t feature much in the opening two matches.
Kaya fought back in the dying embers of their match against Bam Khatoon on Wednesday to secure a valuable point, thanks to Joyce Onrubia’s stoppage time equaliser.
That means that with two points, a win for Kaya will assure them their spot in the quarter-finals but they will certainly need to raise their performance to stand a chance.
Melbourne City FC (AUS) v Kaya FC-Iloilo (PHI)
Venue: Pathum Thani Stadium (Pathum Thani)
Kick-off: 16:00 (UTC+7)
College of Asian Scholars will fancy their chances against Bam Khatoon as they go in search of a first win that could potentially earn them a quarter-final spot.
Head coach Nuengrutai Srathongvian will have to ensure that her players put the defeat to Melbourne behind them as they also look to prolong their stay in the competition.
Similarly, Bam Khatoon head coach Marziyeh Jafari will be eyeing a first win after collecting just a point from their opening matches.
The Iranian side will rely on the fact that they have managed to score in each of those two games, something which the Thai side has not achieved thus far.
College of Asian Scholars (THA) v Bam Khatoon (IRN)
Venue: Pathum Thani Stadium (Pathum Thani)
Kick-off: 20:00 (UTC+7)
Group C
Taichung Blue Whale Women’s Football Team (TPE) v Odisha FC (IND)
Urawa Red Diamond Ladies (JPN) v Ho Chi Minh City Women’s FC (VIE)
Despite both teams still without a point, Taichung and Odisha have a chance to reach the quarter-finals should they win on Saturday.
Three points could be sufficient to take either team through to the next stage as one of the two best third-placed finishers.
Taichung will take plenty of heart after having held their own against Urawa Red Ladies in the first half of their match on Wednesday and if they can replicate the performance, this could be a very difficult match for Odisha.
The Indian side has had a difficult time thus far, having shipped in 20 goals over two matches as head coach Crispin Chhetri targets a more positive outcome in their final group game.
Taichung Blue Whale Women’s Football Team (TPE) v Odisha FC (IND)
Venue: Thong Nhat Stadium (Ho Chi Minh)
Kick-off: 15:00 (UTC+7)
A fascinating top-of-the-table clash awaits when Urawa Red Ladies face Ho Chi Minh City, with both teams on maximum points.
Finishing top will ensure a home quarter-final tie and that undoubtedly will be the target for both teams.
Head coach Naoki Kusonose has seen his Urawa side score 19 without reply thus far and he will want to see his defence shutting out the hosts.
As for his counterpart Nguyen Hong Pham, his side will relish the opportunity to test their credentials against the AFC Women’s Club Championship™ 2023 winners.
Urawa Red Diamond Ladies (JPN) v Ho Chi Minh City Women’s FC (VIE)
Venue: Thong Nhat Stadium (Ho Chi Minh)
Kick-off: 19:00 (UTC+7)
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