Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: With Kitchee SC's Cheng Chin Lung voted winner of the best goal from the first half of the 2018 AFC Champions League, we now turn to the other end of the pitch and ask for your favourite moment that denied a goal.
Outfield players had their moment in the spotlight at the end of April with over 80,000 fans voting for their favourite goal from the 2018 AFC Champions League Group Stage, but it is now time to recognise the men between the goalposts as we recall five fantastic saves from this year's continental club competition so far.
Take a moment to review the nominees, before selecting your favourite in our poll.
www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/acl2018_great_saves_mehdi_rahmati.html
www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/acl2018_great_saves_kwoun_sun-tae.html
www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/acl2018_great_saves_yasser_al_mosailem.html
www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/acl2018_great_saves_zeng_cheng.html
www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/acl2018_great_saves_mohammad_mazaheri.html
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: As coaches announce their national team squads ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the eight AFC Champions League quarter-finalists are sending 14 players to the global event in Russia.
With the final eight of the 2018 AFC Champions League decided and the draw conducted, eyes of Asian football fans turn to Russia for the FIFA World Cup, where five Asian nations will be present. Fans of AFC Champions League quarter-finalists will have one eye on their respective clubs' players looking to make a name for themselves in Russia.
A total of 14 players will be representing seven of the eight finalists, testament to the growing profile of the top club competition in Asia. Qatar's Al Duhail are the only side of the eight with no representatives amongst the 736 players competing for international glory next month.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: The 2018 AFC Champions League Knockout Stage draw has concluded and the last eight teams have identified their quarter-final rivals, following the official draw ceremony at the AFC House on Wednesday.
It’s been well over 27 years since Islamic Republic of Iran’s Esteghlal FC were crowned the Asian champions and Winfried Schäfer’s side will be aiming to return to glory and a third title as they go up against two-time champions, Al Sadd of Qatar.
Qatar’s Al Duhail boast impressive domestic successes this year and will look to maintain their immaculate record and add a Continental club silverware to their collection but will first welcome Iran Pro League champions, Persepolis.
Persepolis have yet to win the AFC Champions League and after a semi-final exit in 2017, Branko Ivankovic’s charges will be aiming for the title.
Kashima Antlers from Japan, who have not gone beyond the quarter-finals stage, will welcome China PR’s Tianjin Quanjian, who have performed spectacularly in their first appearance in the AFC Champions League, and are certainly looking to extend their run.
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, champions in 2006 and 2016, will lock horns with fellow Korea Republic side Suwon Samsung Bluewings, who have also won the title twice - in the 2000/01 and 2001/02 seasons.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Eight teams will battle it out for AFC Champions League glory after the quarter-finalists were confirmed last week. The-AFC.com looks back at what some of key figures involved in the action had to say.
He’s unbelievable. He’s physically really good and knows how to play football. I’m so sorry because this was his last game for Suwon in 2018 as he’s going to the army team (Sangju Sangmu FC). I’m happy he finished like this, in front of our fans with a big win because of his goals. I hope he will continue to do a good job at Sangju and come back to Suwon to be a key player in the future.
One of the AFC Champions League’s most experienced campaigners, Dejan Damjanovic, hails one of the competition’s young guns, Kim Gun-hee, whose brace on Wednesday helped Suwon Samsung Suwon oust Ulsan Hyundai 3-1 on aggregate.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: There have been some classic combinations of colours and designs in the clothing Asia's football sides have worn on the world stage. With IR Iran, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Korea Republic and Australia representing the continent at Russia 2018, we look back at five of their stand-out FIFA World Cup kits.
For football fans around the globe, a team’s kit often serves as an everlasting visual representation of certain memories. Nowhere is this truer than in the FIFA World Cup, where the four-year gap means kits usually change from one edition of the competition to the next.
Some kits have been immortalised due to their unique designs, while others remain forever associated with the team’s success.
Here are five unforgettable kits from the Continent’s representatives in this year’s World Cup. View them below and then pick your favourite .
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: After qualifying for two consecutive editions of the FIFA World Cup for the first time in their history, Islamic Republic of Iran will aim to spring a major surprise in Russia, in a fiercely competitive Group B.
IR Iran are joined by 2010 FIFA World Cup winners Spain, 2016 European champions Portugal, as well as Morocco, who did not concede a single goal in six CAF qualifying group games. The Iranians will need to draw on past successes for inspiration, and we look back at their finest World Cup moments so far:
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: With the best record of any Asian nation at the FIFA World Cup, Korea Republic will be expected to make waves in Russia this summer. Nine World Cup participations have thrown up many a memorable moment, and the-AFC.com recalls some of their best ones over the decades.
Making their FIFA World Cup debut as far back as 1954, when they finished bottom of Group 2, Korea Republic have qualified for a record 10 tournaments, including the upcoming edition in Russia. Here are their best moments in the World Cup so far: