The Matildas Reign Supreme in the AFC

The Matildas are the Champions of the Asian Cup, after fighting through adverse conditions for their entire campaign, which culminated in a down to the wire match against Korea DPR, where they won 5-4 in a nerve-wracking penalty shoot-out.


It was a special day for the Matildas, as they won their first Asian Cup title. They played against Korea DPR on a rainy, bogged down pitch, and fought through a full 120 minutes, and eventually triumphed due to superior nerve, as they edged out the Koreans 5-4 in a penalty shoot-out. In regular time, the Aussies landed the first strike in the 19th minute, as Kerr notched a goal, but the game was far from won. The Koreans would equalize late in the 2nd half, with a goal from Jo Yun-Mi, in the 73rd minute. Both teams fought on past extra time, and after the 120th, what was about to come was inevitable. A penalty shoot-out would be the only way to settle it. The Socceroos were perfect in their tally, as they would convert all 5 from the spot. The Koreans would go out as Yun Song-Mi would miss her penalty.

This win is important for the Matildas, who will be going to the World Cup in 2011. Winning their first Asian Cup and being the number one team in the AFC should give them a lot of confidence, and a great momentum going in.

As for the 3rd place spot, Japan downed China in a 2-0 win, with a goal from Kozue Ando in the 18th, and another from Homare Sawa in the 62nd. This means that Japan, being the 3rd best team in the Asian Cup, have gained the 3rd and final qualification spot for the 2011 World Cup in Germany.

And that's all she wrote! The Matildas played with tons of heart, especially having to deal with adverse conditions the whole way. They lost star strikers Lisa DeVanna and Sarah Walsh during the tournament, and then braved a rainy pitch, a long, hard-fought game, and finally, nerve-wracking penalties to go on and win their first Asian Cup title. Seriously, hats off to the Aussies! The Koreans come up short as runner-ups, nonetheless clinching a spot in the World Cup, as did the Japanese, who won over 3rd place in the tournament, and the rights to travel to Germany in 2011.

The Asian Cup concludes, but a new challenge arises for Australia, Korea DPR and China, a challenge that awaits them next year in Germany.


Denise

Who in the AFC will qualify for the 2011 World Cup?

Australia, Korea DPR, Japan, and China will all have the chance to qualify for the Women's World Cup in 2011.


As the Asian Cup concludes on May 30th, we will find out who is on the road to Germany in 2011.

The top 3 teams in the Asian Cup tournament qualify for the World Cup, which means the winners, runner-ups, and third place winners will be on the road to Germany in 2011. Technically, 2 of the teams have already qualified. Since Korea DPR and Australia are in the final, one will be the winner, and the other will be runner-up, meaning the first and second place team spots will be taken up. Since the third place spot needs to be fought for in the third place match, its still up in the air as to who will be the final team to gain the privilege of being in the World Cup, come 2011. The third place match will be played by Japan and China. It can go either way, as both teams have had a good overall tournament thus far. However, only one team can gain third place, along with the rights to be in the World Cup that comes with it.

Both the Final and the 3rd place match will be played on May 30th. On that day, we'll find out who'll be packing their bags and heading to Germany in 2011, and who will have to go home.


Denise