Central Asian domestic wrap: Ćeran in a league of his own, Nassaji win thriller

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Central Asian domestic wrap: Ćeran in a league of his own, Nassaji win thriller

Bishkek: Uzbekistan’s FC Pakhtakor will go into the international break a stunning 15 points clear on top of the league after another superb display by prolific forward Dragan Ćeran.

Nassaji Mazandaran emerged victorious in a seven-goal bonanza on a weekend where IR Iran’s big names struggled, while leagues in Afghanistan and Kyrgyz Republic also saw meaningful action.

West Asia Domestic Wrap: AFC Champions League hopefuls stay perfect

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

West Asia Domestic Wrap: AFC Champions League hopefuls stay perfect

Riyadh: 2019 AFC Champions League quarter-finalists Al Hilal and Al Nassr continued their perfect starts in the 2019-20 Saudi Pro League while Qatar Stars League (QSL) champions Al Sadd claimed their second win in domestic action over the past week.

Join the-AFC.com as we review the Matchday Two action in the Qatar Stars League, Saudi Pro League and the group stage of the UAE League Cup.

Transfer watch: All of Asia's moves

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Transfer watch: All of Asia's moves

Kuala Lumpur: With the transfer window set to close soon, teams are bolstering their ranks with various national leagues kicking off over the coming days. 

The-AFC.com highlights the ins and outs across the Continent.

Opening win will set us up nicely, says Uzbekistan's Cuper

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Opening win will set us up nicely, says Uzbekistan's Cuper

Kuala Lumpur: Uzbekistan coach Hector Cuper is hoping his side can kick off their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Asian Qualifiers campaign with a win over Palestine on Thursday to set the tone for the Central Asian side's challenge.

Uzbekistan have established themselves among the upper echelon of Asian football but have yet to represent the Continent on the game’s greatest stage and Cuper – who led Egypt to the FIFA World Cup in Russia in 2018 – is determined to make a strong start to their challenge later this week.

Hong Kong's Paatelainen relishing Group C challenge

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Hong Kong's Paatelainen relishing Group C challenge

Kuala Lumpur: Head coach Mixu Paatelainen is hoping he can turn the negative of a difficult draw into a positive for the future of Hong Kong's football when Round 2 of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 begins on Thursday.

Hong Kong will commence their campaign against Cambodia in Phnom Penh before hosting Group C top seeds Islamic Republic of Iran five days later at Hong Kong Stadium in what represents a difficult start to their challenge.

Iraq and Bahrain are also in the group, with the pair meeting in Riffa on Thursday.

Renard: Qualification is a must for Saudi Arabia

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Renard: Qualification is a must for Saudi Arabia

Jeddah: Saudi Arabia will respect their opponents but their target, head coach Herve Renard has stressed, is qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar.

That is the target the Frenchman has been set by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation and it is one that he is relishing.

Heroes, comebacks and last-gasp winners: Four Classic Asian Qualifiers

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Heroes, comebacks and last-gasp winners: Four Classic Asian Qualifiers

Kuala Lumpur: As fans around the Continent eagerly await the kick-off of Round 2 of the Asian Qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar and AFC Asian Cup China 2023, the-AFC.com recalls some of the most memorable qualifying duels from the past.

While all footballers dream of making an impact on the big stage, sometimes the qualification journey can just be as memorable as the destination.

Stunning fightbacks, last minute winners and superhuman performances from some of Asia’s all-time footballing greats feature in this qualification quartet, which features clashes from both the AFC Asian Cup and FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.