This week we look at the results from the second round of the 2020 Asian Football Confederation Olympic Games qualifying tournament, which provided a few upsets. Also, Netherlands has released its Women's World Cup national team roster—the first of the 24 nations to do so—and we review that side.
AFC 2020 Olympic Games Second Round Qualifiers
The Asian Football Confederation held the second round qualifiers for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo earlier this month; Japan will advance automatically to the Olympics as host. The qualifiers involved 12 teams split into 3 four team groups, with the winners advancing to the third round of qualifiers, to be held early next year, before a final round of four teams with the top two advancing to join Japan as Asian representatives.
The closest run group was in Group A, in which Myanmar tied India at the top with 7 points, but Myanmar advanced on a superior goal difference (+8 to +4), with Nepal and Indonesia also in the group. Myanmar and India tied 3-3 on April 9 and the key difference was that India only won 2-0 against bottom side Indonesia in the first match while Myanmar put six past the Indonesians. As we discussed last month (https://www.tribalfootball.com/articles/the-week-in-women-s-football-exclusive-with-vero-boquete-schmidt-makes-nwsl-return-india-claim-saff-title-4275134, Myanmar defeated India 2-0 in the group stage of February's Hero Gold Cup tournament held in Bhubaneswar,India. The tournament also included Nepal and Iran, and Myanmar won the title with a 3-1 defeat of Nepal. Myanmar also prepared for the Olympic Games qualifiers with two home friendlies in March versus Vietnam, losing 1-0 on March 21 but winning the rematch 3-2 on March 23.
For advancing to the next round, Myanmar's AYA Bank awarded K20 million (12,000 Euros) to the Asian Lionesses side. Myanmar typically uses a home-based side, drawing from their 8 team professional league, comprised this year of the following sides:
Myawady has won the three league titles held so far, in 2016-17, 2017 -18 and again in 2018-19. The 2018-2019 final league standings are as follows:
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
1 | Myawady | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 28 | 1 | +27 | 19 |
2 | ISPE | 7 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 49 | 6 | +43 | 16 |
3 | Thitsar Arman | 7 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 33 | 4 | +29 | 16 |
4 | Sport & Education | 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 18 | −6 | 11 |
5 | YREO | 7 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 16 | 16 | 0 | 10 |
6 | Zwekapin United | 7 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 9 | 19 | −10 | 6 |
7 | Gandamar | 7 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 29 | −27 | 3 |
8 | University | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 59 | −57 | 0 |
The Myanmar Women's League winners were awarded K15 million (8,850 Euros) followed by K10 million (6,000 Euros) for the runners-up and K5 million (4,425 Euros) for the third place finishers. Winner of the league's best player award received K300,000 (175 Euros).
Myanmar's side is building well and, though they will be challenged by the top 5 in Asia in the next round, they could give two time WWC participant Thailand a battle if they meet. Myanmar, particularly with their professional league, will be one to watch in the next round and in the future as they develop their women's programs.
In Group B, Vietnam went undefeated against Uzbekistan, Jordan and Hong Kong, with the latter two only scoring one point after the two teams had a goalless draw on day 1 on April 3. That same day, Vietnam defeated Uzbekistan 2-1 in what ultimately was the group decider, with goals from forwards Tuyet Dung (Phong Phú Hà Nam) and Huynh Nhu, while defender Kuchkarova Ugiloy scored for the Uzbeks. Jordan remains in the doldrums after finishing seventh of eight teams (0 points and 3 goals for with 16 against, ahead of Vietnam who had 0 points, 0 goals and 16 goals surrendered) in the AFC Women's Asian Cup Finals/WWC Regional Qualifiers last year, which they hosted. Mike Dickey, their American coach, might be in rough seas at the moment—particularly with the extensive preparation tours and tournaments in Europe that the side have done over the last several months—and look for a coaching change soon from Federation officials to provide a different vision of competing at the top level in the region for the standard bearer of women's football development in West Asia/Northern Africa.
Vietnam has a league that is growing in influence, with seven sides in the national league. In the 2018 season, PP HA Nam finished fourth, seven points behind regular season champions Ha Noi, but advanced to the final after a penalty kick victory against the top side, then defeated Ho Chi Minh City in the Final 1-0. Ho Chi Minh beat TKS Vietnam 2-0 in their semifinal.
2018 Vietnam Final Women's League Table
GP W DL GF GA GDPTS
1 | 12 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 38 | 7 | +31 | 29 | ||||
2 | 12 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 35 | 5 | +30 | 27 | ||||
3 | 12 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 25 | 11 | +14 | 26 | ||||
4 | 12 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 24 | 6 | +18 | 22 | ||||
5 | 12 | 3 | 1 | 8 | 7 | 24 | -17 | 10 | ||||
6 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 6 | 25 | -19 | 5 | ||||
7 | 12 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 1 | 58 | -57 | 1 | ||||
In Group C, Chinese Taipei won the group in undefeated fashion, winning over the Philippines, Iran and Palestine. The Philippines finished sixth in last year's WWC Regional Qualifying Finals, losing out on a Final WWC berth to Korea Republic in the fifth place match 5-0. Chinese Taipei defeated the Philippines in their second match 4-2 on April 6 to advance to the Olympic Games third round of qualifiers. Iran defeated Palestine to clinch third with a 9-0 win also on April 6. Interestingly, Chinese Taipei and the Philippines were matched in the Olympic Games first round qualifiers held in Tajikistan in November 2018; the Philippines finished second in Group A with wins over Singapore (9-0), Tajikistan (3-1) and, Mongolia (5-1), while losing against Chinese Taipei (5-0).
Group A GPWDL GF GA GDPTS
1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 4 | +8 | 7 | ||||||||||||
2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 4 | +4 | 7 | ||||||||||||
3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 7 | -3 | 3 | ||||||||||||
4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 10 | -9 | 0 | ||||||||||||
Group B GPWDLGF GA GDPTS
1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 | +4 | 9 | ||||
2 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 3 | +5 | 6 | ||||
3 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | -4 | 1 | ||||
4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 7 | -5 | 1 | ||||
Group C GPWDLGF GA GDPTS
1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 3 | +8 | 9 | ||||
2 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 4 | +7 | 6 | ||||
3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 6 | +4 | 3 | ||||
4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 19 | -19 | 0 | ||||
The Philippines used seven American diaspora in the squad for the Jordan tournament last year—after doing a three-week preparation camp in the U.S. a few months before. For the Olympic Games Second Round matches, only three were from the U.S.—one in high school—along with goalkeeper Stacey Cavill, who is on the roster of Perth Glory in Australia but has yet to make her W-League appearance. Cavill was also on the side in Jordan last year.
Philippines AFC Olympic Games Second Round Qualifiers Roster
Players | Position | School/Club |
CAVILL, Stacey Janet Margery | Goalkeeper | Perth Glory (Australia) |
PALACIOS, Inna Kristianne | Goalkeeper | Green Archers United FC |
PARIÑA, Kimberly | Goalkeeper | Far Eastern University |
AMITA, Analou | Defender | OutKast FC |
BERNAL, Mea | Defender | OutKast FC |
HODGES, Chelo Marie | Defender | De La Salle University |
LAM, Mary Harriette | Defender | Far Eastern University |
LONG, Hali Moriah | Defender | Green Archers United FC |
MONTELIBANO, Christina | Defender | De La Salle University |
PACHEJO, Hannah | Defender | Far Eastern University |
SHELTON, Tara | Defender | Holy Names Academy (USA) |
SIMARAGO, Calah | Defender | UC Santa Barbara (USA) |
TOMANON, Patricia | Defender | Florida International University (USA) |
CASTAÑEDA, Sara Isobel | Midfielder | De La Salle University |
DOLINO, Alesa | Midfielder | OutKast FC |
IMPELIDO, Patrice Mae | Midfielder | Hiraya FC |
LADERO, Loreta | Midfielder | OutKast FC |
MENDAÑO, Rocelle Marie | Midfielder | De La Salle University |
NAVAJA, Irish | Midfielder | De La Salle University |
RODRIGUEZ, Kathleen Camille | Midfielder | Hiraya FC |
DEL CAMPO, Alisha Clare | Forward | De La Salle University |
MADARANG, Eva | Forward | Rogers State University |
SEMACIO, Joyce | Forward | Miriam College |
The Third Round of AFC Olympic Games Qualification will be held in January/February of 2020, with Chinese Taipei, Myanmar and Vietnam joining Australia, China PR, Korea DRP, Korea Republic and Thailand—who were the top 5 ranked sides in FIFA's rankings of national teams as of June 2018 and thus were placed directly into the Third Round. The eight sides will be divided into two groups of four teams each, with the top two in each group advancing to the final round.in March 2020, and then the top two teams advancing to the Olympic Games Finals later next summer.
Netherlands Names Women's World Cup 23 Player Roster and 7 Reservists
The Netherlands on April 13 named their Women's World Cup final squad. The reigning European Champions were the first of the 24 sides to do that. Head Coach Sarina Weigman selected 23 players, with only 6 players based with clubs at home. Of the 17 players based abroad—6 play in England and 4 in Germany, 3 in Spain, 2 in France, 1 in Norway and 1 in Sweden. The Netherlands also named 7 players in reserve (more than the 2-4 that we typically see from teams) with 5 based at home, 1 in Spain and 1 in England. Their final friendly match ahead of the Women's World Cup will be held in Eindhoven against Australia on June 1. The final rosters are due to FIFA on Friday May 24 and replacements can be made for injury up to 24 hours before their first match
Netherlands squad for WWC2019:
Lineth Beerensteyn (Bayern München—Germany)
Dominique Bloodworth (Arsenal—England)
Anouk Dekker (Montpellier HSC—France)
Merel van Dongen (Real Betis—Spain)
Daniëlle van de Donk (Arsenal—England)
Kika van Es (Ajax)
Loes Geurts (Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC—Sweden)
Stefanie van der Gragt (FC Barcelona—Spain)
Jackie Groenen (1. FFC Frankfurt—Germany)
Ellen Jansen (Ajax)
Renate Jansen (FC Twente)
Inessa Kaagman (Everton—England)
Danique Kerkdijk (Bristol City—England)
Lize Kop (Ajax)
Desiree van Lunteren (SC Freiburg—Germany)
Lieke Martens (FC Barcelona—Spain)
Vivianne Miedema (Arsenal—England)
Liza van der Most (Ajax)
Victoria Pelova (ADO Den Haag)
Jill Roord (Bayern München—Germany)
Shanice van de Sanden (Olympique Lyonnais—France)
Sherida Spitse (Vålerenga—Norway)
Sari van Veenendaal (Arsenal—England)
Reserve List:
Cheyenne van den Goorbergh (FC Twente)
Barbara Lorsheyd (ADO Den Haag)
Aniek Nouwen (PSV)
Katja Snoeijs (PSV)
Ashleigh Weerden (FC Twente)
Jennifer Vreugdenhil (Valencia—Spain)
Siri Worm (Everton—England)
Tim Grainey is a contributor to Tribal Football. His latest book Beyond Bend it Like Beckham on the global game of women's football. Get your copy today.
Follow Tim on Twitter: @TimGrainey
