PUNE: Europe-based players hogged the limelight contributing a staggering 70.96 percent of the goals scored on Match Day 1 of the group stage in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022.

Of the 31 goals scored in 6 matches, 23 were accounted for by 10 players playing in Europe and one from Philippines forward Chandler McDaniel who plays for the University of Wisconsin, USA.

Australia, who registered an 18-0 win over Indonesia in Group-B, led the scorers’ list with 8 players logging their names. Among them was the record-breaking Chelsea FC star Sam Kerr, who set a National record (surpassing Tim Cahill – 50 goals) after netting 5 goals in her first go, but also had the distinction of emerging top scorer after the first set of matches.    

Club teammates, Sam Kerr (Australia) and Ji So-Yun (Korea Republic) held the Chelsea crest high with their stand-out performances for their respective countries accounting for 7 goals.

The next best-represented club was West Ham United pair Yui Hasegawa (Japan) and Tameka Yallop (Australia) with 3 goals.

In totality, the FA Women’s Super League was a cut above the rest having 7 players amongst the goals. Incidentally, Sam Kerr, Ji So-Yun and Yui Hasegawa were adjudicated Player of the Match for their efforts.

Three captains – Sam Kerr, Ji So-Yun and Wang Shanshan (China) led by example in the scoring department netting 8 goals collectively.

Emily van Egmond (Australia) and Trần Thị Phương Thảo (Vietnam) were uniquely different. New Castle Jets mid-fielder Emily (3 goals) shared the distinction of netting a hat-trick with countrymate Sam, but above all stood out top-scoring among the players who ply their trade in their respective National League championship.

On the other hand, Vietnam’s Trần Thị Phương Thảo became the first ‘own goal scorer’ in the competition. Incidentally, this was also the Ho Chi Minh City FC defender’s first goal of her career, but on the wrong side!

Out of the 31 goals scored, 4 were scored from the penalty spot by Sam Kerr (Australia); Emily van Egmond (Australia); Weng Shuang (China); Ji So-Yun (Korea Republic).

The first round saw 19 players etch their name on the scoresheet, which included 6 netting a brace.

Among career firsts, Japan had 3 players - Riko Ueki, Hikaru Naomoto and Yui Narumiya, score their first international goal respectively. All three scored against Myanmar to cap a memorable moment.

THE GOALS

GROUP-A: 4 GOALS

China 4-0 Chinese Taipei

Wang Shuang 3'-pen., 69' - (#7; Midfielder (35 goals Wuhan WC; #7)

Wang Shanshan 9' (#11; Captain, Defender; 53 goals; Tianjin WC; #11)

Zhang Xin 53' (#2; Defender; 3 goals; Shanghai WC)

India 0-0 Iran

GROUP-A: 19 GOALS

Australia 18-0 Indonesia

Samantha Kerr 9', 11', 26' - pen., 36', 54' (#20; Captain, Forward; 54 goals; Chelsea FC; Australian Record)

Caitlin Foord 14' (#9; Forward; 22 goals; Arsenal FC)

Mary Fowler 17' (#11; Mid Fielder; 6 goals; Montpellier, France)

Hayley Raso 24', 88'(#6; Forward; 8 goals; Manchester City)

Ellie Carpenter 34', 49' (#21; Defender; 3 goals; Olympique Lyonnais, Framce)

Kyah Simon 68', 71' (#17; Forward; 29 goals; Tottenham Hotspurs)

Aivi Luik 79' (#3; Defender; 1 goal; Pomigliano, Italy)

Emilly van Egmond 40’, 57’, 69’ (#10; Mid Fielder; 27 goals ; New Castle Jets-Australia)

Tameka Yallop 59’ (#13; Defender; 12 goals; West Ham United)

Thailand 0-1 Philippines

Chandler McDaniel 81' - (#8; Forward; 2 goals; University of Wisconsin, USA)

GROUP-C: 8 GOALS

Japan 5-0 Myanmar

Riko Ueki 22' (#19; Forward; 1 goal; Nippon TV Tokyo Verdy Beleza)

Yui Hasegawa 47', 90+2' (#14; Midfielder; 13 goals; West Ham United WFC)

Hikaru Naomoto 52'(#8; Forward; 1 goal; Urava Reds)

Yui Narumiya 70'(#17; Midfielder; 1 goal; INAC Kobe Leonessa)

Korea Republic 3-0 Vietnam

Ji So-yun 4', 81' - pen. (#10; Captain, Mid Fielder; 61 goals; Chelsea FC)

Trần Thị Phương Thảo - 7' (o.g.)  (#17; Defender; her first goal but self goal; Hochiminh City FC)

(MICKY AIGNER)