West Zonal Semi-finals: Ones to Watch 

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

West Zonal Semi-finals: Ones to Watch 

Kuala Lumpur: Four teams from Jordan, Syria and Lebanon will contest the 2019 AFC Cup West Zonal Semi-finals in the coming days.

The four teams battle for a ticket to the AFC Cup final, starting with the first leg of the semi-finals, where Al Wehdat of Jordan host Lebanon's Al Ahed on Monday, while Syria's Al Jaish play Jordan's Al Jazeera on Tuesday.

The return fixtures take place the following week with the two winners facing off in the two-legged Zonal Final in September and October. The West Asia champions get a ticket to the 2019 AFC Cup final.

We look at four players - one from each of the semi-finalists - who could prove to be the difference-makers.

ASEAN Zonal Semi-finals: Ones to Watch

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

ASEAN Zonal Semi-finals: Ones to Watch

Kuala Lumpur: There's just a few days to go to the ASEAN Zonal Semi-finals with teams from Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam set to go head-to-head in some classic encounters.

The two-legged semi-finals will kick off on Tuesday and Wednesday with the return legs the following week. The two victors will progress to the ASEAN Zonal Final a month later to determine who is the 2019 AFC Cup's Southeast Asia champion.

We look at four players - one from each of the semi-finalists - who could prove to be the difference-makers.

West Asian teams gear up for Zonal Semi-Finals

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

West Asian teams gear up for Zonal Semi-Finals

Kuala Lumpur: Having put their respective domestic league campaigns behind them, four West Asian sides are set for the 2019 AFC Cup Zonal Semi-Finals next week.

Al Jazeera and Al Ahed are back in this stage for the second year in a row, while Al Wehdat are back at the Zonal Semi-Finals for a second time after 2017. Champions in 2004, Al Jaish have not played at this stage since its introduction two season ago.

AFC Cup 2019 Allianz Goal of the Week: Bruno Matos

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

AFC Cup 2019 Allianz Goal of the Week: Bruno Matos

Kuala Lumpur: The-AFC.com has announced that Persija Jakarta's Bruno Matos is the winner of this week’s Goal of the Week presented by Allianz for the 2019 AFC Cup after a public vote on the AFC’s official website.

The Group Stage in Numbers

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

The Group Stage in Numbers

Kuala Lumpur: After the conclusion of the 2019 AFC Cup group stage in the West and ASEAN, the eight Zonal semi-finalists have been confirmed ahead of June's knockout round fixtures.

While the qualification race remains ongoing in the Central, South and East Zones, the-AFC.com looks back at some of the key statistics from the six completed groups.

Taming the Tigers: The match that made Ceres Negros famous

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Taming the Tigers: The match that made Ceres Negros famous

Kuala Lumpur: With the 2019 AFC Cup ASEAN Zonal Semi-finals on the horizon, we look back on one of the most memorable when Filipino club Ceres Negros defeated Asian giants Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) of Malaysia.

These days 2017 ASEAN Zonal champions and 2018 ASEAN Zonal runners-up Ceres Negros are considered to be one of the strongest teams in the AFC Cup.

However, back at the beginning of the 2017 AFC Cup campaign they were not counted among the contenders to be crowned inaugural ASEAN champions, with most looking to 2015 AFC Cup winners JDT, the Southern Tigers, as a likelier candidate to be crowned Southeast Asian kings.

Our aim is to become champions, says Makassar’s Klok

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Our aim is to become champions, says Makassar’s Klok

Makassar: Marc Klok insists that PSM Makassar’s target from the start to the 2019 AFC Cup was to end the campaign as Continental champions, as the Indonesian side prepare to travel to Vietnam’s Becamex Binh Duong for the first leg of the ASEAN Zonal semi-finals on Wednesday.

Making their debut appearance in the tournament, Makassar won four and drew two of their Group H games to advance as table-toppers and, in doing so, netted 17 goals along the way – a tally only Hanoi FC have bettered in this year’s competition.

Netherlands-born midfielder Klok was instrumental in his side’s success, with his two goals against last year’s ASEAN Zonal champions Home United of Singapore paving the way for a crucial come-from-behind 3-2 win and ultimately qualification to the knockout rounds.