AIPS ASIA News:

Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President, has outlined his faith in the AFC’s representatives to dominate once again on the world stage as DPR Korea, Japan and Korea Republic prepare to battle at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2024 in the Dominican Republic from October 16 to November 3.

Asian sides have reached the final on five occasions and won the coveted crown four times in seven editions, and for the second time in history, the AFC will be represented by three former champions in a FIFA tournament.

DPR Korea are tied with Spain as the most successful side in the competition’s history with two titles (2008 and 2016) whilst three-time finalists and 2014 winners Japan as well as 2010 champions Korea Republic will be aiming to match the record of their fellow East Asians.

Referring to the all-Asian final between eventual champions DPR Korea and Japan in the recently concluded FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia, Shaikh Salman said: “We have already witnessed two Asian teams reach the final of a FIFA women’s age-group tournament this year and we hope that their achievements will serve as an inspiration to their younger peers in the Dominican Republic.

“On behalf of the Asian football family, we congratulate them on reaching the pinnacle stage and we are confident that our aspiring stars will not only write their name in the history books but also emerge as future global icons of the women’s game.”

Poised for their fourth appearance, Korea Republic will be the first Asian side to feature in the opening day action when they take on 2022 runners-up Colombia in Group B at the Estadio Olímpico Félix Sánchez in Santo Domingo at 7pm. The Taeguk Girls will then have to contend with defending champions Spain on Oct 19 before taking on 2022 Quarter-finalists the United States on Oct 22.

Japan, who along with New Zealand are the only side to feature in all eight editions of the showpiece, will open their campaign against debutants Poland in Group D at the same venue a day later at 4pm. 2022 Quarter-finalists Brazil will be their next opponents on Oct 20 before the young Nadeshiko return to action three days later against Zambia, who are making a comeback after a decade.

Kicking off their campaign simultaneously, DPR Korea will open their account against 2018 finalists Mexico in Group C at the CFC Stadium in Santiago De Los Caballeros. Thereafter, the four-time AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup™ champions will face debutants Kenya on Oct 20 and 2008 fourth-place finishers England on Oct 23.

Additionally, the competition will witness several Asian match officials carve their names in history as they make their debut on the global stage. Leading the cast are referees Japan’s Asaka Koizumi and Vietnam’s Le Thi Ly, both of whom have previously officiated at the AFC Women’s Club Championship™ in 2023, with Koizumi also having blown the whistle at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™.

The duo will be joined by assistant referees Phuong Thi Ha of Vietnam, Amal Badhafari of the United Arab Emirates, Thailand’s Suwida Wongkraisorn, and India’s Riiohlang Dhar, all of whom are set to officiate in a FIFA competition for the first time.

Courtesy AFC