Philippines

The Philippines Women’s National Football Team (PWNFT) qualified via a powerful display seeing them finish second in their qualifying group.

Ranked 69th in the world, PWNFT started out on fire, scoring 16 goals across three matches defeating United Arab Emirates (4-0), Iraq (4-0) and Tajikistan (8-0).

It wasn’t until their fourth qualification match that PWNFT conceded their first goal, fighting back to snatch a 1-1 draw against Bahrain.

In their fifth and final qualification match, PFWNT stumbled, going down to Asian Cup hosts Jordan 5-1.

Coach Richard Boon has only been at the helm since late 2017 but has been working hard in camps to instil his style of football. 

Eva Madarang is a key player to watch, the 19-year-old forward scored four goals across the five qualification games.

Recent international results have not been strong with one win at the 2017 Southeast Asian Games before losing their three matches against Vietnam (3-0), Myanmar (6-0) and Thailand (3-1).

They have never managed to get past the group stage of an Asian Cup and 2018 is the time in 15 years they have qualified for the tournament.

Team: 1. Inna PALACIOS, 2. Claire LIM, 3. Alesa DOLINO, 4. Krystal DE RAMOS, 5. Hali LONG, 6. Morgan BROWN, 7. Camille RODRIGUEZ, 8. Maria PARK, 9. Jesse SHUGG, 10. Caitlyn KREUTZ, 11. Ryley BUGAY, 12. Kearra BASTES-JONES, 13. Leah LAROT, 14. Sara CASTAÑEDA, 15. Alexa DIAZ, 16. Stacey CAVILL, 17. Calah SIMARAGO, 18. Tahnai ANNIS, 19. Patrice IMPELIDO, 20. Quinley QUEZADA, 21. Jessica MICLAT, 22. Chalise BAYSA, 23. Sarina BOLDEN 

Thailand

Thailand is making their 16th appearance in the Asian Cup, equalled only by Japan.

Currently ranked 30th in the world, Thailand is one of the most successful Southeast Asian football teams, having previously won the Asian Cup, three AFF (ASEAN Football Federation) Championships and five Southeast Asian Games titles.

However, since 1986 they have only made past the group stage once where they placed fifth in 2014.

This time around, Thailand qualified by virtue of topping the Group C leaderboard, in a group in which both Lebanon and Guam withdrew, leaving only Thailand, Chinese Taipei and Palestine in the running.

Kanjana Sungngoen is one key player to look out for, the attacking midfielder has amassed 30 goals over 47 international appearances.

Nisa Romyen is also dangerous in attack, with 32 goals over 48 international appearances.

Thailand is coached by Nuengruethai Sathongwien, who had previously led them in 2014, after Spencer Prior resigned from the role in September 2017.

Team:  1. Waraporn BOONSING, 2. Kanjanaporn SAENKHUN, 3. Natthakarn CHINWONG, 4. Duangapa SRITALA, 5. Ainon PHANCHA, 6. Pikul KHUEANPET, 7. Silawan INTAMEE, 8. Suchawadee NILDHAMRONG, 9 Warunee PHETWISET, 10. Sunisa SRANGTHAISONG, 11. Alisa RUKPINIJ, 12. Rattikan THONGSOMBUT, 13. Orathai SRIMANEE, 14. Saowaluk PENGNGAM, 15. Nipawan PANYOSUK, 16. Khwanrudi SAENGCHAN, 17. Taneekarn DANGDA, 18. Sukanya CHOR CHAROENYING, 19. Pitsamai SORNSAI, 20. Wilaiporn BOOTHDUANG, 21. Kanjana SUNG-NGOEN, 22. Nattaruja MUTHTANAWECH, 23. Kanyanat CHETTHABUTR