AFC Women’s Olympic Qualifying Australia vs China on Feb. 13: Match preview, tournament stats, Head-to-head and broadcast listings

Topics: AFC Women's Olympic Qualifying, AFC, Australia, China, Tokyo 2020, North Korea, coronavirus, Sydney, South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, Caitlin Foord, Wang Shanshan, Li Ying, Tang Jiali

In our match preview informing you where and how to watch the AFC Women’s Olympic Qualifying final group stage game between Australia and China, we compare tournament statistics, analyze the team’s head-to-head record and look at players to watch.

The group stages of the Asian Football Federation Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament are one game away from being over. And with South Korea finishing as the first seed of Group A, Australia and China know just how influential a win can be regarding qualification to Tokyo 2020.

This tournament has taken many twists and turns in terms of format and setting. First, North Korea withdrew from the third round leaving three teams in Group A – Myanmar, Vietnam and South Korea. Then came the coronavirus forcing the AFC to move the Group B matches from Wuhan to Nanjing on January 22. The location was changed again after the virus worsened sending Group B teams to play in Sydney, Australia.

After three Group A matches, South Korea and Vietnam are first and second seed respectively. The winner of Group B, which will be determined by this last match, will play Vietnam in the two-legged home and away play-off. The two teams that win the semifinals will join Japan in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Tournament Stats

Group B has been straightforward. Australia and China have beaten the lesser opponents in the group – Thailand and Chinese Taipei – and now sit on top with six points each.

The Westfield Matildas has the upper hand in goal differential after defeating Chinese Taipei 7-0 and Thailand 6-0. Similarly, China had easy affairs with the two bottom nations beating Thailand 5-0 and Chinese Taipei 6-1.

Ante Milicic’s team has the upper hand if this final match ends as a draw having a 13-goal differential to China’s 10.

Caitlin Foord and Emily van Egmond lead the scoring tally for the Matilda’s with three goals each. Meanwhile, China has three goal scorers with three goals – Li Ying, Tang Jiali and Wang Shanshan

Head-to-head

The all-time record between these two sides sits at 19-10-12 in favor of China even though Australia has not lost to them since November 24, 2012.

China has failed to defeat the Australians in their last eight meetings losing six and drawing two. Adding up all the scores results in 18 goals for the Matildas and five for the Steel Roses.

Players to watch

Caitlin Foord – Australia

A good performance in this Olympic Qualifying tournament is essential to Caitlin Foord given her move from Sydney to Arsenal WFC. And it has been a good one so far scoring three goals. Arsenal’s manager Joe Montemurro will keep an eye on her as she is still settling at her new club.

Wang Shanshan – China

Wang Shanshan is a very interesting player. She started playing as a center-back for the national team but was moved to forward and she has had fun in that position scoring 47 goals. She has three to her name in this tournament and will be looking for more against Australia.