AFF WOMEN’S: Record number of teams, Cambodia make debut

PALEMBANG (29 June 2018) – With a record number of ten teams taking part for this year’s AFF Women’s Championship 2018, it will provide not only some good tests but also gauge the level of teams taking part.

The last time ten teams took part in the AFF Women’s Championship 2018 was back in 2013 but then, it had the Japanese Selection side taking part alongside the Australian U20 team.

And this time round, the Australian U20 will also be making their presence again, although the team welcomed the first ever participation of Cambodia.

The tournament was not held last year due to the SEA Games 2017 in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia.

“I believe that a lot of teams will be using this tournament to gauge their level ahead of the Asian Games 2018. It will provide us with at least four good games, possibly six. For us, it is important to do well at home,” said Indonesia head coach Satia Bagdja Ijatna.

“The tournament will provide us with some continuity towards the Asian Games 2018. It will give us the chance to draw up a good programme towards that. Our target is for the semi-finals, then we will take it from there,” said Thailand head coach Nuenruthai Srathongvian.

“We have managed to get the team quite often this year, gives us more contact with the players. And this meet will be a great opportunity to showcase Australian football. Our target is to win the group and go forward from there,” said Australian head coach Leah Blayney.

“We started training in March, so we have not had that much time. Our level is not at a very high level, so we have to be realistic. This is the way forward. All teams here are strong. So our target would be just to be Cambodia, if we can,” said Timor Leste head coach Lee Min Young.

“This if our first time taking part, so it is important that the players realised that whether we do well would depend on how much they want to compete. We had about two weeks of preparation and played against the boys team. Tough group,” said Cambodian head coach Meas Sam Oeurn.

“We managed to play friendlies against Thailand and Singapore. It will be hard against Thailand and Australia where it will be a bonus if we can draw. We have to beat Cambodia and Timor Leste,” said Malaysian head coach Jacob Joseph.

“This is only my second time here in Indonesia. There are many good teams taking part and this will be good not only for the teams but also for the championship. We are really looking forward to this year’s tournament where we hope to do well,” said Vietnam coach Mai Duc Chung.

“This is my first time as the head coach as before this, I was the team manager. I am looking at this tournament on a game to game basis. Our target is for a place in the semi-finals which I believe is within our reach,” said Myanmar head coach Win Thu Moe.

“Palembang has become like home as I was here two months ago with the U16 team. I believe that whether we do well or otherwise would depend on the commitment of the girls. They must want to do well,” said Philippines head coach Letecia Bautista.

“We need to give a good challenge in this group, as that will allow us to raise the standard of the women’s game in Singapore. This is my first experience as the head coach of the team, so it will be interesting,” said Singapore head coach K. Balagumaran.