A total of four players from Andrée Jeglertz’s side have been called up for the prestigious tournament with Mary Fowler linking up with Australia and Japan including Yui Hasegawa, Aoba Fujino and Ayaka Yamashita in their squad.
The Matildas have been placed in Group A in their home competition, meanwhile Nadeshiko will compete in Group C.
But how could we see our City stars lineup against one other in Australia? Find out all the possibilities below!
GROUP WINNERS
If Australia win Group A, and Japan win Group C – both teams would have to win their separate quarter-final ties to lock horns in the last-four on 18 March at Stadium Australia, Sydney.
RUNNERS UP
Australia and Japan would avoid each other in the quarter-finals if they both finish second in their respective groups.
But they’d still be on the same side of the tournament so if they were to win those last-eight ties, they would play each other in the semi-final on 17 March at Perth Stadium.
If either side finish runners up in their group and the other tops their table, it could potentially set up a mouth-watering final as they’d be in separate last-eight and semi-final ties.
THIRD PLACE
As there are only three groups at the Asian Cup, two third-placed teams will also qualify for the knockout stage.
If Japan finish as one of the top two best third-placed teams and Australia win Group A, they’ll play each other in the quarter-final on 14 March in Sydney.
However, if the roles are reversed, and Australia finish as one of the top two best third-placed team and Japan win Group C, they’ll play each other in the quarter-final on 15 March.
PLAY-IN MATCHES
For sides who are eliminated at the quarter-final stage at the Asian Cup, each nation will play one more match for World Cup qualification.
If they win, they’ll progress to the major tournament, but if they lose – they will enter the inter-confederation play-offs for a World Cup place.
So, if Australia win Group A and Japan finish second in Group B before both teams lose in the quarter-finals, they will face off in the first ‘play-in’ match on 19 March.
But, the nations will lock horns in the second ‘play-in’ game on 19 March if Japan win their group and Australia finish second in Group B before both losing their quarter-final ties.
