AFC Women's Asian Cup
China PR - with the likes of Wang Shuang and Wu Haiyan to depend on - are seeking to lift the coveted trophy for a 10th time while Chinese Taipei are seeking to regain lost glory.
China PR head coach Ante Milicic expects a challenge, pointing out the changes in the Chinese Taipei set-up since their last meeting in the EAFF E-1 Women’s tournament.
“Since we played them in Korea (Republic) last year, they’ve changed coaches and they’re a different team now,” said Milicic. “They gave Japan a very difficult game and then went on to win their next two matches so we know this will be a tough proposition.
“They play with a different formation and approach compared to before but our main focus will be on ourselves. If we execute our game plan and perform to the level we know we can, that should be enough for us to get the result.
“The players had to manage recovery and adjust to the trips. At the same time, I’m very pleased with the attitude of the squad. Everyone has stayed focused and we’ve been able to get the team clear on our objectives.”
“Since we played them in Korea (Republic) last year, they’ve changed coaches and they’re a different team now,” said Milicic. “They gave Japan a very difficult game and then went on to win their next two matches so we know this will be a tough proposition.
“They play with a different formation and approach compared to before but our main focus will be on ourselves. If we execute our game plan and perform to the level we know we can, that should be enough for us to get the result.
“The players had to manage recovery and adjust to the trips. At the same time, I’m very pleased with the attitude of the squad. Everyone has stayed focused and we’ve been able to get the team clear on our objectives.”
Milicic, who previously coached Australia, brings a wealth of international experience to the role and the tactician underlined the standards expected of the China PR squad.
“I clearly understand the expectations, the pressure and the demands. Those demands will never be bigger than the demands I place on myself. I will work just as hard as the players. If we follow a clear process, remain calm and confident and take it one game at a time, we can be successful and hopefully go further in the tournament.
“Our goalkeeper Chen Chen, had a knock (against DPR Korea) but fortunately avoided serious damage. We will see how she goes in training but we have two other goalkeepers.”
“I clearly understand the expectations, the pressure and the demands. Those demands will never be bigger than the demands I place on myself. I will work just as hard as the players. If we follow a clear process, remain calm and confident and take it one game at a time, we can be successful and hopefully go further in the tournament.
“Our goalkeeper Chen Chen, had a knock (against DPR Korea) but fortunately avoided serious damage. We will see how she goes in training but we have two other goalkeepers.”
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Chinese Taipei head coach Prasobchoke Chokemor, meanwhile, is satisfied with his squad’s preparations.
“I’m happy to be back here and ready for the challenge. We are ready to compete and maintain our fighting spirit,” said Prasobchoke. “We’ve already played three matches, and overall it’s been good. My players have recovered well and adapted positively to the tournament conditions.
“We feel more confident in our attacking play and have learned a lot from playing international matches. We are looking to improve our tactical skills as the tournament progresses.”
“I’m happy to be back here and ready for the challenge. We are ready to compete and maintain our fighting spirit,” said Prasobchoke. “We’ve already played three matches, and overall it’s been good. My players have recovered well and adapted positively to the tournament conditions.
“We feel more confident in our attacking play and have learned a lot from playing international matches. We are looking to improve our tactical skills as the tournament progresses.”
Prasobchoke understands what it takes to defeat China PR and the Thai tactician is hoping the positive momentum will see them through.
“One thing we know is that the tempo of the game is faster than last year. They have added some talented players to the squad, and there have been some changes.
“We can say we did well against Japan, holding them to a 0-0 draw in the first half. Tomorrow will be a different game tactically, but we are confident we can compete against top-level players if we stay focused on ourselves and fight as a team.”
“One thing we know is that the tempo of the game is faster than last year. They have added some talented players to the squad, and there have been some changes.
“We can say we did well against Japan, holding them to a 0-0 draw in the first half. Tomorrow will be a different game tactically, but we are confident we can compete against top-level players if we stay focused on ourselves and fight as a team.”
Trivia
- China PR have won each of their seven AFC Women’s Asian Cup games against Chinese Taipei, including a 4-0 victory in the group stage of the 2022 edition, keeping a clean sheet in all seven games; indeed, China PR have only beaten Korea Republic and DPR Korea more often in the competition (8 wins against both) than Chinese Taipei.
- China PR have scored multiple goals in 13 of their last 14 AFC Women’s Asian Cup games, with the only exception being a 3-1 defeat to Japan in the 2018 semi-finals; indeed, that result is the only game out of China PR’s last six knockout games in the competition in which they failed to score twice.
- Chinese Taipei have won each of their last two games at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, last going on a longer winning streak in the competition in December 2001 (3 games); however, they have won just two of their last 14 knockout games in the competition in regulation time and lost all three knockout games against China PR.
- Su Yu-Hsuan (Chinese Taipei) has scored in each of her last four outings at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup (5 goals) and could become the fourth player to score in five consecutive games since the start of the 2018 edition after China PR’s duo of Li Ying (5 games in April 2018) and Wang Shanshan (5 games between April 2018 and February 2022) and Japan’s Riko Ueki (5 games between January 2022 and March 2026).
China PR v Chinese Taipei
Venue: Perth Rectangular Stadium (Perth)
Kick-off: Saturday, 13:00 (UTC+8)
Venue: Perth Rectangular Stadium (Perth)
Kick-off: Saturday, 13:00 (UTC+8)
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