The 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup gets underway on January 20 in India, with Australia and Japan the frontrunners for the title
The 2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup gets underway this month in India, with it promising to be the most exciting edition of the tournament to date.
The competition has expanded from eight teams to 12, paving the way for Iran to make its Asian Cup debut while Indonesia return for the first time since 1989.
It will be a tournament littered with world-class talent too. GOAL has picked out some of the players on show that you should certainly keep an eye on.
GettySam Kerr (Australia)
There may not be a more in-form player going into this tournament than Sam Kerr. She finished third in the voting for the Ballon d’Or Feminin after 2021 saw her score 40 goals and register 18 assists, while winning the Women’s Super League and Continental Cup with Chelsea.
The electric forward is also captain of Australia and guided the Matildas to the semi-finals of the Olympics in the summer. Kerr could make history in India, as she only needs two goals to surpass former Everton star Tim Cahill and become Australia’s most prolific international goal-scorer.
AdvertisementGettyEllie Carpenter (Australia)
Leading Australia’s exciting next generation of talent is Ellie Carpenter. The 21-year-old plays her football with seven-time European champions Lyon, with a transfer to France coming in 2020 after she had excelled in the A-League Women at home and the NWSL in the United States.
Carpenter is the typical modern full-back, attacking at the same high level that she defends. She also showed her ability to be versatile at the Olympics, playing as a centre-back in a back three and being one of the star performers at the tournament.
GettyMana Iwabuchi (Japan)
One of the most exciting individuals on show at the Asian Cup will be Japan’s creative midfielder Mana Iwabuchi. Her excellent technical skills make her a joy to watch and a nightmare for opposing defenders, as those in the Women’s Super League have learned from her time with Aston Villa and, now, Arsenal.
Iwabuchi’s ability to create chances for her team-mates and to get on the scoresheet herself make her a key player for a Japan side that will be eager to perform well after a disappointing Olympics campaign.
GettySaki Kumagai (Japan)
The captain of Japan, Saki Kumagai’s leadership will be very important as the team enter a new chapter, with Futoshi Ikeda having been appointed as the new head coach back in November. The 31-year-old has tons of experience, winning an incredible 19 trophies in eight years with Lyon.
Kumagai’s ability is just as crucial for her national team. The Bayern Munich star is a composed figure in the centre of defence and has a track record of stepping up in the big moments – scoring the winning penalty in the 2011 Women's World Cup final.