New Delhi, Feb. 26 -- The Women's Asian Cup kicks off Sunday with Sam Kerr's Australia squad taking on Philippines in her hometown of Perth, and hoping to reprise some of the extraordinary support the Matildas harnessed in 2023.

Australia is hosting the 12-nation tournament and aiming to win it for the first time since 2010. The last time Australia staged a major women's soccer event was in 2023 when it co-hosted the World Cup with New Zealand and reached the semifinals.

Other title contenders include defending champion China, Japan - the top Asian team in the FIFA world rankings at No. 8 - three-time champion North Korea, and 2022 finalist South Korea.

Matildas

The Australian women's soccer squad has become one of the most-followed t...