Kuala Lumpur: Three weeks remain until Korea Republic and France kick off the biggest tournament in the women's game, and Asia's five FIFA Women's World Cup representatives have had another eventful week on the road to the Finals.
In this week's Asian Watch; Australia and Korea Republic have announced their final squads, and a Paris-bound Thailand are close to the doing the same, while Asako Takakura has reflected on the importance of last April's AFC Women's Asian Cup triumph in Jordan.
Australia, Korea Republic squads confirmed
Two of Asia's contenders confirmed the players they hope will lead them to World Cup glory, with Australia revealing their squad on Tuesday, before Korea Republic followed suit with a Friday announcement.
The inclusion of 16-year-old Mary Fowler - who will become Australia's youngest ever World Cup player should she get on the pitch in France - earned the most headlines in Ante Milicic's selection, with Kyah Simon, scorer of five career goals at the tournament, the most significant omission.
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A picturesque backdrop for today's squad announcement. #GoMatildas
There were few surprises in Yoon Duk-yeo's Korea Republic travelling party, with veteran goalkeeper Kim Jung-mi's non-selection through injury known well in advance of the squad announcement.
#그라운드의적막을깨라!
2019 FIFA 프랑스 여자월드컵에 참가할
??여자 축구 국가대표팀 명단을 공개합니다!2019 FIFA 프랑스 여자월드컵
⏰ 한국시간 기준 프랑스개최
??v?? #프랑스 2019.06.08(토) 04:00
??v?? #나이지리아 2019.06.12(수) 22:00
??v?? #노르웨이 2019.06.18(화) 04:00 pic.twitter.com/gLT1P4lWD8— 대한축구협회(KFA) (@theKFA) May 17, 2019
Thailand trim to 25 ahead of France test
Thailand are yet to name the 23 players representing them in France, but they have moved closer to finalising their contingent by cutting their 31-strong training squad to a list of 25 players, all of whom will travel to Europe on Tuesday ahead of next Saturday's friendly against France.
Of the two remaining cuts to be made, one must be a goalkeeper, with US-based Tiffany Daurnee Chantrak's inclusion taking the squad's shot-stopping stocks to four, while 2017 AFC U-19 Women's Championship graduate Phonphirun Philawan and former futsal international Orapin Waenngoen remain in contention as outfield players.
Meanwhile, holders United States - Thailand's first France 2019 opponent - continued their ominous pre-tournament form with a 5-0 win over New Zealand on Thursday.
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#Changsueklive ประกาศรายชื่อ 25 แข้ง "ชบาแก้ว" ชุดเตรียมลุยศึกฟุตบอลหญิงชิงแชมป์โลก 2019 ที่ ฝรั่งเศส ______ สมาคมกีฬาฟุตบอลแห่งประเทศไทย ในพระบรมราชูปถัมภ์ ประกาศรายชื่อ 25 นักฟุตบอลหญิงทีมชาติไทย ชุดเตรียมทำการแข่งขันฟุตบอลหญิงชิงแชมป์โลก 2019 ที่ประเทศฝรั่งเศส ระหว่างวันที่ 7 มิถุนายน – 7 กรกฎาคม 2562 สำหรับฟุตบอลหญิงทีมชาติไทย มีโปรแกรมเก็บตัวและอุ่นครื่องที่ฝรั่งเศส และเบลเยี่ยม โดยจะรวมตัวที่ท่าอากาศยานนานาชาติสุวรรณภูมิ เพื่อออกเดินทางในวันที่ 21 พฤษภาคม 2562 #ช้างศึก #ชบาแก้ว #เชียร์ไทยใจเดียวกัน #TogetherAsOne #Thailand #ฟุตบอลไทย #บอลไทย #ฟุตบอลทีมชาติไทย #นักฟุตบอลทีมชาติไทย #Thestadium #Thestadiummagazine #VoiceofWomen #FIFAWWC #ฟุตบอลหญิงทีมชาติไทย
Updated Thailand provisional squad
Goalkeepers: Waraporn Boonsing, Yada Sengyong, Sukanya Chor Charoenying, Tiffany Darunee Chantrak
Defenders: Duangnapa Sritala, Natthakran Chinwong, Kanjanaporn Saengkoon, Warunee Phetwiset, Khwanrudi Saengchan, Sunisa Srangthaisong, Ainon Phancha, Pitsamai Sornsai, Phonphirun Philawan
Midfielders: Pikul Khueanpet, Silawan Intamee, Nipawan Punyosuk, Wilaiporn Boothduang, Chuchuen Sudarat, Rattikan Thongsombut, Orapin Waenngoen
Forwards: Orathai Srimanee, Saowalak Pengngam, Taneekarn Dangda, Kanjana Sung-Ngoen, Suchawadee Nildhamrong
NATIONAL TEAM | Photoshoot day! An off-field preparation for @FIFAWWC! (: IC Photo) #SteelRoses #WomenInFootball pic.twitter.com/XZ1p2hVq65
— China Women's National Football Team (@ChinaWNFT) May 13, 2019
Wang plays catch-up as China PR build in Beijing
With her duties with French club Paris Saint-Germain completed for the season, current AFC Women's Player of the Year Wang Shuang joined her national team this week, but the Steel Roses star admits she is behind the eight-ball when it comes to fitness.
With the domestic-based players in Jia Xiuquan's training squad having undergone intensive training camps in Suzhou and, now, Beijing, Wang - whose online PSG documentary series has racked up eight million views in her home country - confirmed she has work to do to reach the high physical standards of her teammates.
China PR's preparations, including a friendly match against an Under-19 men's outfit reportedly won 6-3 by Jia's side. Australia's Emily Gielnik revealed Australia's home-based players have also been preparing against male opposition in an interview this week.
Plus de 8⃣ millions de vues en Chine pour le documentaire consacré à @wangshuang7 !
Un succès populaire pour cette série qui suit et raconte la vie quotidienne de notre Parisienne en France
️ #ICICESTPARIShttps://t.co/XAW8OvhKD2
— PSG Féminines (@PSG_Feminines) May 14, 2019
Takakura reflects on Jordan 2018 turning point
Japan head coach Asako Takakura has pinpointed AFC Women's Asian Cup Jordan 2018 as the moment that her developing side became a united squad.
Coming into last year's Continental Finals just weeks after a 6-2 hammering at the hands of the Netherlands, the Nadeshiko steadily progressed through the tournament before beating Australia 1-0 in the final to claim their second Asian title; an achievement Takakura reflected on this week.
"We knew it wouldn’t be an easy task, but the players played very hard, showed their persistence, and fought until the very end," she told the JFA's official website.
「日本のサッカーを世界に見せたい」高倉麻子監督インタビュー（前編）～FIFA 女子ワールドカップ フランス 2019～ #jfa #nadeshiko #daihyo #世界のなでしこ #世界のなでしこ https://t.co/vQPwloDSgz
— なでしこジャパン (@jfa_nadeshiko) May 14, 2019
"Although the team was still work in progress, winning the title gave us great confidence moving forward, and that tournament really united our team as one."
While the majority of Japan's squad have their attention firmly focused on France, captain Saki Kumagai is looking no further than Saturday's UEFA Women's Champions League Final in Budapest, where her Olympique Lyonnais side will look to claim a fourth successive title against FC Barcelona.
Sawa's record set to be surpassed
One of Asia's all-time greats is set to have a World Cup record struck from the list after evergreen midfielder Formiga was named in Brazil's squad for the global Finals for an unprecedented seventh time.
Japanese icon Homare Sawa (pictured above) currently shares the record with 41-year-old Formiga, having played in six World Cups starting in 1995 in Sweden, where Sawa and Formiga played against each other in a Group A clash, won 2-1 by the Nadeshiko.
Selected to every @CBF_Futebol @FIFAWWC squad since 1995, Formiga could do what no one has done before and play in seven World Cups. #WWC2019 https://t.co/um822RqV3n
— Twitter Moments (@TwitterMoments) May 16, 2019
Formiga's record-breaking appearance may yet come against Asian opposition, with Brazil to face Australia in their second group stage match in Montpellier on June 13.
Photos: AFP
Source: the-afc.com