AFC Women's Asian Cup
While defending champions and record nine-time winners China PR and DPR Korea - who have lifted the coveted trophy three times - are the favourites for the top two places, Bangladesh and Uzbekistan will be aiming to create history as well.
The-AFC.com listened to what the teams had to say after the Official Draw in Sydney on Tuesday.
The-AFC.com listened to what the teams had to say after the Official Draw in Sydney on Tuesday.
Ante Milicic, China PR head coach
“I respect all the teams in the tournament and I know we will have three difficult games. But I’m pleased that all three games will be based in Sydney. We now have the dates and opponents, so we can start our specific plans for those matches.
“Australia being such a big country, I know what the travel entails. There’s the effect that traveling brings and of course the climate and the different stadiums so what being drawn in Group B gives us is a good consistency.
“DPR Korea, we know how strong they are, especially what they have done in age group competitions. They will be well prepared and physical, they have a high ranking for a reason.
“Bangladesh in their first Asian Cup, they will be excited and playing without pressure and that brings a different type of game. And then, we have Uzbekistan who we know well having played them twice in the last 12 months.”
“I respect all the teams in the tournament and I know we will have three difficult games. But I’m pleased that all three games will be based in Sydney. We now have the dates and opponents, so we can start our specific plans for those matches.
“Australia being such a big country, I know what the travel entails. There’s the effect that traveling brings and of course the climate and the different stadiums so what being drawn in Group B gives us is a good consistency.
“DPR Korea, we know how strong they are, especially what they have done in age group competitions. They will be well prepared and physical, they have a high ranking for a reason.
“Bangladesh in their first Asian Cup, they will be excited and playing without pressure and that brings a different type of game. And then, we have Uzbekistan who we know well having played them twice in the last 12 months.”
Li Mengwen, China PR player
“I think whichever group we are in, the challenge will be tough but I think we can be happy with the draw and the group.
“Yes of course (we are confident of getting past the group stage) because we want to take the trophy back home again like we did before.”
“I think whichever group we are in, the challenge will be tough but I think we can be happy with the draw and the group.
“Yes of course (we are confident of getting past the group stage) because we want to take the trophy back home again like we did before.”
Kotryna Kulbyte, Uzbekistan head coach
“At this level, there are no easy opponents. All 12 teams in the Finals are strong teams. DPR Korea, we have already faced them before as well as China PR this year so we know what to expect.
“Bangladesh will be a new team. We will take one game at a time. It’s too early to talk about strategy for the first game (against DPR Korea) but we will have to analyse how to minimise their power and how we can maximise our power."
Lyudmila Karachik, Uzbekistan player
“Yes, of course we have two teams who have previously won the competition on multiple occasions, with one of them being the defending champions. We are excited to play against them. Our goal is to play our best and show how amazing our game is.
“Our goal is to work tough, train hard and just focus on qualifying to the next round by doing our best.”
“At this level, there are no easy opponents. All 12 teams in the Finals are strong teams. DPR Korea, we have already faced them before as well as China PR this year so we know what to expect.
“Bangladesh will be a new team. We will take one game at a time. It’s too early to talk about strategy for the first game (against DPR Korea) but we will have to analyse how to minimise their power and how we can maximise our power."
Lyudmila Karachik, Uzbekistan player
“Yes, of course we have two teams who have previously won the competition on multiple occasions, with one of them being the defending champions. We are excited to play against them. Our goal is to play our best and show how amazing our game is.
“Our goal is to work tough, train hard and just focus on qualifying to the next round by doing our best.”
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