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AFC Women's Asian Cup
Following the 2-0 victory in their opening game against Bangladesh, Milicic stuck to his word of juggling the starting line-up, fielding as many as nine new faces.
#WAC2026 | Group B: Uzbekistan 0-3 China PR
“We made a lot of changes to the lineup, which was always the plan, and now in two games we have used 23 players,” said the former Sydney United forward. “This is the scenario we have prepared for a while and I am pleased with how things worked and our ability to control the game.
“It was not an easy game and it was difficult to get into the flow, but in the end I am glad that we came out with a win and a clean sheet. On a different night, we may have scored a few more goals but I am happy with how we played.”
“It was not an easy game and it was difficult to get into the flow, but in the end I am glad that we came out with a win and a clean sheet. On a different night, we may have scored a few more goals but I am happy with how we played.”
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To clinch the top spot in the group, the defending champions will face DPR Korea, who made their way past Bangladesh with an emphatic 5-0 victory, and the 51-year-old was optimistic about showcasing another impressive outing.
“I treat every game the same way and I have a squad that believes in itself. That’s what I love about these girls - they have all the respect for their opponents but are never scared,” he said.
“So when we face DPR Korea, we will try to put in a good performance and use the time we have in the next two days to recover before Monday’s game and show the quality of our team, which we are looking forward to after receiving so much support from the crowd.”
“I treat every game the same way and I have a squad that believes in itself. That’s what I love about these girls - they have all the respect for their opponents but are never scared,” he said.
“So when we face DPR Korea, we will try to put in a good performance and use the time we have in the next two days to recover before Monday’s game and show the quality of our team, which we are looking forward to after receiving so much support from the crowd.”
Gracious in defeat, Uzbekistan head coach Kotryna Kulbyte, while readily acknowledging the superior quality of their East Asian rivals, already has her eyes set on the future.
“We met a great team who showed their quality. They showed they’re a champion side by the manner in which they took great decisions in a matter of seconds,” she said.
“But for now I will focus on the next game against Bangladesh and our time in Perth. I also have no complaints with the way my team played as I know they gave their 100 percent.”
“We met a great team who showed their quality. They showed they’re a champion side by the manner in which they took great decisions in a matter of seconds,” she said.
“But for now I will focus on the next game against Bangladesh and our time in Perth. I also have no complaints with the way my team played as I know they gave their 100 percent.”
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In three years’ time, the Continental showpiece will be staged in Uzbekistan and while her immediate focus is on the final Group B game where victory could take her side through to the next stage, the Lithuanian is also setting her sights on the road ahead.
“We cannot jump through time and we have to accept that we are where we are today, but three years from now the competition will be in Uzbekistan and it will be a mix of players from this team and the newer generation,” said the 33-year-old.
“It is a long time to prepare and we will study the gaps we have noticed and prepare accordingly, guided by the experience we have had in Australia. Now we know what it is like to play on such a big stage, and that is the first step we have taken.”
“We cannot jump through time and we have to accept that we are where we are today, but three years from now the competition will be in Uzbekistan and it will be a mix of players from this team and the newer generation,” said the 33-year-old.
“It is a long time to prepare and we will study the gaps we have noticed and prepare accordingly, guided by the experience we have had in Australia. Now we know what it is like to play on such a big stage, and that is the first step we have taken.”
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