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AFC Women's Asian Cup
The defending champions, despite going toe-to-toe with Australia, struggled to create chances as they exited the tournament with the hosts sealing a 2-1 win through goals from Caitlin Foord and Sam Kerr, with Zhang Linyan having equalised from the penalty spot.
#WAC2026 | Semi-final: China PR 1-2 Australia
“I think our performance was okay but we understood the difficulty of the game, given the quality of our opponents. We pressed at times but in the end, it was the individual quality which was the difference tonight,” said Milicic.
“I am very proud of these girls for their performances. They are open to new ways of learning and training. Their mentality is excellent.
“We are devastated as I definitely felt we played a good game and we could have taken this to extra time but we couldn't get the result tonight so we move on.”
“I am very proud of these girls for their performances. They are open to new ways of learning and training. Their mentality is excellent.
“We are devastated as I definitely felt we played a good game and we could have taken this to extra time but we couldn't get the result tonight so we move on.”
While their AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026 journey is over, the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027 beckons and Milicic said he has a good idea on where improvements are needed.
“The next step for this team is the World Cup and it will be about getting the balance right. We have good players and Wang Aifang is one of them but we need a few more to take this team into the future."
“The next step for this team is the World Cup and it will be about getting the balance right. We have good players and Wang Aifang is one of them but we need a few more to take this team into the future."
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“I am always looking to improve the team. The games are a lot quicker now and there are a lot of new faces. I had 90 players in the training camp and after this tournament, I have a good idea on what is lacking.”
