Focus shifts from performance to results as Matildas eye Asian Cup success

Though their relationship on the international calendar means the two have always had a connection, the 2023 Women’s World Cup looms particularly large over this year’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup, which kicksoff on Thursday evening when China take on Taiwan at the Mumbai Football Arena.

The tournament serves both as the forum to crown a continental champion and for World Cup qualification. Expansion from 24 to 32 nations at next year’s global showpiece event means that five of the 12 competitors in India this month will secure direct qualification, while another two will be able to book places in a 10-team intercontinental play-off for one of three more berths.

While the likes of Japan or South Korea are virtually assured of qualification under the new format, the expansion – along with the withdrawal of North Korea from this year’s cycle – serves to open the door to others. Nations such as Taiwan can dream of a first World Cup appearance since the inaugural event in 1991 or young stars such as Indonesia’s 20-year-old attacker Zahra Muzdalifah targeting a grander stage.

Automatic qualification for 2023 as one of its two co-hosts means Australian stakes in the coming tournament, superficially, have been removed; the Matildas have effectively been given a free hit at continental success. Yet in place of this short-term jeopardy looms a need to address a growing sense of unease surrounding the trajectory of the squad.

“Off the back of our Olympic campaign, coming fourth, I think there’s a little bit of expectation for us to win this Asian Cup,” said Matildas defender Ellie Carpenter. “We should win this Asian Cup. That expectation is there and it’s good for us, we want to win tournaments, we want to win trophies.”

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