Women's World Cup France: 2019 China PR First Team To Qualify

After securing a victory during the semi-finals for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, China PR has become the first Asian team to book a ticket to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019 through qualifying.

The Steel Roses first defeated Thailand 4-0 in their opening match, followed by a 3-0 win over Philippines on Monday. With Thailand also beating hosts Jordan 6-1, China PR was able to secure their spot in the world finals. They will now sit alongside hosts France and await the remaining four Asian qualifiers to join.

"We are proud to have qualified for the World Cup 2019 and to be the first Asian team to do so," said China coach Siggi Eyjolfsson. "We have played well at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup and deserve to be among the best teams from Asia."

In FIFA rankings, China PR is 17th overall and is fifth best in the Asian Football Confederation. France 2019 will mark the seventh World Cup appearance for the Steel Roses’, with their most recent final being Canada 2015. China PR was able to advance to the last eight before USA defeated the team in the quarter-final.

China’s World Cup record is worth noting, but the Steel Roses are even more established in the Asian Cup. China PR has won eight times, been runner-up twice, placed third two times, and had one fourth-place finish.

Though the team has qualified for France 2019, the Steel Roses are still hoping to win their ninth Asian title. Top scorer Li Ying scored three goals during the qualifiers but realizes that the upcoming competition will be more difficult.

“Our goals are not only to book qualification to France 2019, but also to win the Asian Cup,” stated Ying. “I hope I can maintain my goalscoring form at the Women’s World cup next year and help our team achieve good results. It would be great if I score goals and the Steel Roses blossom on the global stage."

The Steel Roses will go against Asian Cup hosts Jordan on Thursday in their final group game. The Steel Roses are heavily favored to beat Jordan, with -6600 World Cup betting odds for China PR to win at Bovada. The team has secured their spot in the semi-final and are only a couple games away from potentially having their first championship win since 2006.