Tajikistan has previously had its U-19 side falling to three defeats in hard-fought, competitive matches in attempting to qualify for the 2017 AFC U-19 Championship.
Group A: Jordan, Philippines, Bahrain, Iraq, United Arab Emirates, Tajikistan
Although Jordan have already qualified for the 2018 finals as hosts, they are also taking part in the qualifiers for competitive match experience. Captain Stephanie Al Naber has previously played in Denmark for Fortuna Hjørring and her brother Yousef has two caps for Jordan.
The Philippines have in recent years featured a number of US-based players. A new league was launched last November, with 11 teams representing both clubs and universities. Coach Leticia ‘Buda’ Bautista is the first woman to take charge of the national team.
One of the most active West Asian teams, Bahrain competed in the Aphrodite Cup in 2015 and 2017. This year they lost out to Estonia (0-3), Lithuania (0-2) and Cyprus (1-7).
Absent from the international scene since 2011, Iraq are entering a major competitive
women’s tournament for the first time in their history.
UAE are entering the tournament for the first time but are twice winners of the WAFF Championship.
Group B: South Korea, Uzbekistan, Hong Kong, India, North Korea
North Korea – ranked tenth in the world and three-time winners of the Asian Cup – host South Korea for the first time ever on 7th April.
South Korea have been losing semi-finalists four times, were runners-up to Switzerland in this year’s Cyprus Cup and feature all-time leading scorer, Chelsea’s Ji So-yun.
Uzbekistan took part in the 2016 Yongchuan Tournament where they were beaten but competitive against senior opponents Denmark, China and Iceland.
The powerhouse of South Asian women’s football, India has won all four SAFF Championships but struggled somewhat against opponents from beyond it, However, the new AIFF League gives players a platform to compete at national level.
Hong Kong appeared in the first 14 AFC Championships but have not made the finals since qualifying became mandatory ahead of the 2006 tournament.
Group C: Thailand, Chinese Taipei, Palestine
Group hosts Palestine have been out of action since taking part in Rio Olympic qualifiers, where they were beaten by Uzbekistan and Jordan but earned a draw with Hong Kong (2-2).
Thailand reached the last World Cup by beating Vietnam away in a full stadium, before going on to defeat Ivory Coast in Canada, following 4-0 losses to both Germany and Norway. Striker Taneekarn Danga is the sister of men’s superstar Teerasil Danga and the squad is coached by former Man City, Leicester and Derby defender Spencer Prior.
Chinese Taipei prepared by taking part in the Istria Cup in Croatia, where they suffered losses to Slovakia, Slovenia and Northern Ireland, before beating Hungary’s B team.
Group D: Vietnam, Myanmar, Iran, Syria, Singapore
Vietnam have home advantage and are favourites to progress. Although they have been a part of the last seven Asian Cup final tournaments, they have never progressed beyond the group stage.
Myanmar finished second at the 2016 AFF Championship, losing only on penalties and defeating a strong Australia U-20 team on the way. They are under the tutelage of former Dutch national team coach Roger Reijners, who took the Netherlands to the knockout stage of the World Cup.
Iran have had a prolonged period of inactivity but recently suffered a 7-0 defeat to Sweden. Team Melli have competed relatively strongly before though and are Asian futsal champions.
Syria played their first match against Iran in 2005 but haven’t played any games since 2011, making their participation in this tournament a major step forward for
women’s football in the country.
Singapore hadn’t won an international since 2007 before beating Bangladesh 3-0 in February. Regular fixtures are a positive step forward for the squad, along with the new FAS Women’s National League.
