Dushanbe: Hosts Tajikistan will be looking to produce the performance of their lives when they meet second-placed Philippines in Group A of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Jordan 2018 qualifiers on Friday.
With table-topping Jordan already assured of qualification thanks to the hosting duties they will perform next year, the race to seal second place and a ticket to the 19th edition of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, appears to be well and truly on.
Tajikistan, playing in an international tournament for the first time, are currently fourth in the group, three points behind a strong Philippines outfit in second. However, head coach Bobokoalonov Sulaymon is hoping that Dushanbe’s Republican Central Stadium can hand his side an added advantage when they face the Southeast Asians.
“Philippines are a strong team but we have home advantage,” he declared.
Like her Tajikistan counterpart, Philippines head coach Letecia Bautista is fully aware of the potential benefits playing at home could give their opponents, adding that her players, who have recorded two successive 4-0 wins, must remain fully focused throughout.
“We have two yellow cards so we need to look at that. My players need to be aggressive but in a way that does not risk getting more bookings. Playing against the hosts there will be support for the opposing team and we need to take that into account.”
Elsewhere, Iraq will look to secure their first points of a thus far disappointing campaign when they come up against the might of Jordan.
Despite losses to Tajikistan and the Philippines, Iraq’s spirited second half display against the Malditas has given a degree of hope to a side set for arguably their toughest test yet.
“Jordan are a strong team but we will see what we can do,” Iraq head coach Adil Qader said, acknowledging the uphill challenge his team will face on Friday:
“We still have three matches left in the tournament and we will do all we can to get a point and a goal for Iraq.”
The day’s other game sees Bahrain, who are third in the group, taking on a rock bottom UAE team, with the Emiratis determined to get one over their regional rivals.
“It’s our derby,” declared UAE head coach Samir Landolsi. “The Bahrain team is at our level and we will do everything we can to get a good result.”
Photo: Tajikistan Football Federation
Source: the-afc.com