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The AFC Women's Asian Cup 2022, hosted by India, is upon us. The first match of the continental showdown commences on January 20, with China taking on Chinese Taipei at the Mumbai Football Arena. Defending champions Japan will be the favorites going into the tournament, hoping to win their third consecutive title.
With the advancement of women's football in the past few years, many players have become household names. Many such players will be participating in this edition of the AFC Women's Asian Cup as well. Here are the top players you should watch out for in the upcoming tournament.
#5 Wang Shuang
Chinese National Team's ever reliable midfielder Wang Shuang has 109 caps for China, and mind you, she is only 26. Shuang made her senior national team debut at the age of 17, earning plaudits from her coaches and managers. She has played in major tournaments like the FIFA Women's World Cup and the Summer Olympics as well.
Shuang's club career has taken her from China to South Korea to France and then back to China. In 2015, she decided to play in the Chinese Women's Super League in spite of interest from English clubs.
In 2018, European heavyweight PSG roped the Chinese midfielder on a two-year contract. A year later, though, Shuang returned to China after terminating her contract.
She is sure to light up the tournament with her game and is one to watch out for.
#4 Mana Iwabuchi
Mana Iwabuchi plays as a forward for the Japanese National Team and Arsenal Women's Football Club. Iwabuchi made her Japanese top-tier league debut at the mere age of 14 for the defending champions of the league.
In 2012, she signed for German club Hoffenheim and won the second division with them. Afterwards, she signed for Bayern Munich and won two Frauen Bundesliga titles with them. She is currently plying her trade for Arsenal in the FA WSL.
On the country front, Iwabuchi has won most of the trophies available to the national team. She has won the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2011, Asian Games gold and AFC Women's Asian Cup in 2018. She has 36 goals for Japan in 81 matches and is nicknamed 'Manadona' because of her dribbling.
She will be one of the key players for Japan heading into the Asian Cup and will be integral in their title defense.
#3 Ji So-yun
With 61 goals from 125 matches, So-yun is the all-time top goal scorer of the South Korean women's national football team. In addition to this, she has been a constant figure for Chelsea FC Women over the last eight years. She has played 112 games for the Blues, scoring 37 goals.
With Chelsea, So-yun has won the WSL five times and the FA Cup and the League Cup twice respectively. In 2021, she was named as the South Korea Women's footballer of the year.
Even after a rich club career, the midfielder is yet to win any major tournaments with her national team. She will be looking to change that and inspire her team to the title this time.
#2 Samantha Kerr
With Indian heritage in her bloodline, it will be a homecoming of sorts for Australia's Sam Kerr when she steps foot in India for the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2022. The forward captains the Australian Women's football team, who are nicknamed the Matildas. She is also the all-time top scorer of the Matildas with 49 goals in 104 matches.
Kerr plays for Chelsea and comes to the Asian Cup on the back of an FA Cup victory with her club. However, it has been more than 11 years since she won the continental silverware for Australia.
Japan have defeated Australia in the final for the last two editions of the tournament to lift the trophy. Australia's captain will be one to watch out for as she will be determined to win it for her country this time around.
#1 Saki Kumagai
The Japanese skipper is one of the most successful women's football players in Asia and will be seen leading her nation once again. She has won numerous trophies with the Japanese women's football team at the international level and Lyon at the club level.
She has won the FIFA Women's World Cup, AFC Women's Asian Cup and Asian Games with Japan. With Lyon, she won the Division 1 Féminine and UEFA Women's Champions League for five consecutive seasons.
Making her debut way back in 2008 as a 17-year old, Kumagai has 118 caps for her country. The defender will have to be at her best when she leads the defending champions in their title defence.
