Fri, 05 Dec, 2025

#AFCU23: 2018 revisited

Kuala Lumpur: As we edge closer to the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™, we continue our flashback of a tournament that has never failed to thrill.

Having taken a look at the 2013 and 2016 editions, we shift out focus to the 2018 edition that was played under challenging conditions in China PR.

#AFCU23: 2016 revisited

Fri, 05 Dec, 2025

#AFCU23: 2016 revisited

Kuala Lumpur: As the countdown to the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ gathers pace, we continue our trip down memory lane of a tournament that has witnessed the rise of many of the continent's standout players.

Having looked at the 2013 edition won by Iraq, we shift our attention to the 2016 tournament which was hosted by Qatar.

#AFCU23: 2013 revisited

Mon, 08 Dec, 2025

#AFCU23: 2013 revisited

Kuala Lumpur: The seventh edition of the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ is set to kick off in Saudi Arabia on January 6 as 16 teams converge on the cities of Jeddah and Riyadh with some of the hottest prospects in Asian football set to be on show.

Stars such as Takumi Minamino, Alireza Beiranvand, Hwang Hee-chan, Chanathip Songkrasin and Almoez Ali are among the big names to have featured in a competition that has delivered numerous magical moments over the years.

To whet the appetite ahead of one of the Asian Football Confederation’s showpiece tournaments, we look back at the previous editions of the AFC U23 Asian Cup - starting with 2013.

#AFCU23 - Facts & Figures

Fri, 05 Dec, 2025

#AFCU23 - Facts & Figures

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ kicks off on January 6 with 16 teams vying to lift the coveted trophy.

As the teams enter their final phase of preparations and excitement begins to build, the-AFC.com takes a look at some interesting facts and figures of the tournament.

Qualifiers - Final Round: How the Groups stand

Wed, 19 Nov, 2025

Qualifiers - Final Round: How the Groups stand

Kuala Lumpur: Matchday Five of the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Qualifiers Final Round had it all as the games lit up the continent.

A thrilling round of action saw Singapore make history, heartbreak and battles to the end set up, so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at how the groups stand with just one matchday remaining.

Kim hails Vietnam’s winning mentality

Thu, 20 Nov, 2025

Kim hails Vietnam’s winning mentality

Vientiane: Kim Sang-sik was impressed with the performance of Vietnam after they came through a stern Laos test to win their AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Qualifiers Final Round Group F tie 2-0 on Wednesday.

Laos proved to be stubborn opponents and limited Vietnam’s attacking threats before Nguyen Xuan Son’s 68th minute penalty broke the deadlock, with Pham Tuan Hai putting the seal on the win late on.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_asian_cup.html/photo/group-f-nepal-v-malaysia-1

Qualifiers - Group F: Laos 0-2 Vietnam

Wed, 19 Nov, 2025

Qualifiers - Group F: Laos 0-2 Vietnam

Vientiane: Vietnam kept the pressure on Malaysia after digging deep to beat Laos 2-0 in their AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Qualifiers Final Round Group F tie at Lao National Stadium KM16 on Wednesday.

Nguyen Xuan Son, returning to action for Vietnam for the first time since January, and Pham Tuan Hai scored in the second half to take their team back to three points behind Malaysia with the sides to meet in March to decide the group winners..

History-makers Singapore make Lee proud

Wed, 19 Nov, 2025

History-makers Singapore make Lee proud

Hong Kong: Gavin Lee was proud with his players ability to respond after Singapore secured a return to the AFC Asian Cup™ by defeating Hong Kong, China 2-1 in their Qualifiers Final Round Group C tie on Tuesday.

The victory meant the Southeast Asian side booked their spot in the Finals on merit for the first time, with their only previous appearance as hosts of the 1984 edition, and Lee said it was achieved as his players continued to believe despite going a goal down.

Soonsup-Bell delighted to have delivered for Thailand

Wed, 19 Nov, 2025

Soonsup-Bell delighted to have delivered for Thailand

Colombo: Jude Soonsup-Bell had a debut to remember after helping Thailand defeat Sri Lanka 4-0 in their AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Qualifiers Final Round Group D tie on Tuesday.

The 21-year-old - making his competitive debut for Thailand - scored twice after coming on in the 66th minute to replace Teerasak Poeiphimai with the Grimsby Town forward pleased with how the match turned out.

Cuadrat urges Philippines to finish the job

Wed, 19 Nov, 2025

Cuadrat urges Philippines to finish the job

Male: Head coach Carles Cuadrat expressed mixed feelings after the Philippines defeated Maldives 2-0 in their AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Qualifiers Final Round Group A tie on Tuesday.

While the victory kept the Southeast Asian side very much in the race for a ticket to the Finals, Tajikistan lead the standings on goal difference after their 7-1 victory against Timor-Leste, with the sides tied on 13 points and to meet on March 31 in Dushanbe.

Qualifiers - Final Round: MD5 Results & Reports

Wed, 19 Nov, 2025

Qualifiers - Final Round: MD5 Results & Reports

Kuala Lumpur: Only four spots remain up for grabs as Matchday Five of the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Qualifiers Final Round came to a close on Tuesday.

Singapore edged Hong Kong, China 2-1 to confirm the Group C qualification ticket, joining Syria - who booked the Group E top spot on Matchday Four. The two join the 18 teams who advanced to the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 at Saudi Arabia 2027.

Stay updated on the Saudi Arabia 2027 action with the-AFC.com.

كأس آسيا - الصور

Qualifiers - Final Round: How the Groups stand

Wed, 19 Nov, 2025

Qualifiers - Final Round: How the Groups stand

Kuala Lumpur: Matchday Five of the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Qualifiers Final Round had it all as the games lit up the continent.

A thrilling round of action saw Singapore make history, heartbreak and battles to the end set up, so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at how the groups stand with just one matchday remaining.

Kim hails Vietnam’s winning mentality

Thu, 20 Nov, 2025

Kim hails Vietnam’s winning mentality

Vientiane: Kim Sang-sik was impressed with the performance of Vietnam after they came through a stern Laos test to win their AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Qualifiers Final Round Group F tie 2-0 on Wednesday.

Laos proved to be stubborn opponents and limited Vietnam’s attacking threats before Nguyen Xuan Son’s 68th minute penalty broke the deadlock, with Pham Tuan Hai putting the seal on the win late on.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_asian_cup.html/photo/group-f-nepal-v-malaysia-1

Qualifiers - Group F: Laos 0-2 Vietnam

Wed, 19 Nov, 2025

Qualifiers - Group F: Laos 0-2 Vietnam

Vientiane: Vietnam kept the pressure on Malaysia after digging deep to beat Laos 2-0 in their AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Qualifiers Final Round Group F tie at Lao National Stadium KM16 on Wednesday.

Nguyen Xuan Son, returning to action for Vietnam for the first time since January, and Pham Tuan Hai scored in the second half to take their team back to three points behind Malaysia with the sides to meet in March to decide the group winners..

History-makers Singapore make Lee proud

Wed, 19 Nov, 2025

History-makers Singapore make Lee proud

Hong Kong: Gavin Lee was proud with his players ability to respond after Singapore secured a return to the AFC Asian Cup™ by defeating Hong Kong, China 2-1 in their Qualifiers Final Round Group C tie on Tuesday.

The victory meant the Southeast Asian side booked their spot in the Finals on merit for the first time, with their only previous appearance as hosts of the 1984 edition, and Lee said it was achieved as his players continued to believe despite going a goal down.

Soonsup-Bell delighted to have delivered for Thailand

Wed, 19 Nov, 2025

Soonsup-Bell delighted to have delivered for Thailand

Colombo: Jude Soonsup-Bell had a debut to remember after helping Thailand defeat Sri Lanka 4-0 in their AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Qualifiers Final Round Group D tie on Tuesday.

The 21-year-old - making his competitive debut for Thailand - scored twice after coming on in the 66th minute to replace Teerasak Poeiphimai with the Grimsby Town forward pleased with how the match turned out.

Cuadrat urges Philippines to finish the job

Wed, 19 Nov, 2025

Cuadrat urges Philippines to finish the job

Male: Head coach Carles Cuadrat expressed mixed feelings after the Philippines defeated Maldives 2-0 in their AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Qualifiers Final Round Group A tie on Tuesday.

While the victory kept the Southeast Asian side very much in the race for a ticket to the Finals, Tajikistan lead the standings on goal difference after their 7-1 victory against Timor-Leste, with the sides tied on 13 points and to meet on March 31 in Dushanbe.

Qualifiers - Final Round: MD5 Results & Reports

Wed, 19 Nov, 2025

Qualifiers - Final Round: MD5 Results & Reports

Kuala Lumpur: Only four spots remain up for grabs as Matchday Five of the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Qualifiers Final Round came to a close on Tuesday.

Singapore edged Hong Kong, China 2-1 to confirm the Group C qualification ticket, joining Syria - who booked the Group E top spot on Matchday Four. The two join the 18 teams who advanced to the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 at Saudi Arabia 2027.

Stay updated on the Saudi Arabia 2027 action with the-AFC.com.

Qualifiers - Group B: Yemen 7-1 Bhutan

Wed, 19 Nov, 2025

Qualifiers - Group B: Yemen 7-1 Bhutan

Ardhiyah: Yemen kept alive their hopes of reaching the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ with a 7-1 win against Bhutan in their Qualifiers Final Round Group B tie on Tuesday.

With Lebanon 3-0 winners over Brunei Darussalam in the other game, Yemen went into the match knowing they couldn’t afford to slip up with the victory setting up a winners-take-all showdown with their fellow West Asian side on March 31.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_asian_cup.html/photo/group-b-brunei-darussalam-v-lebanon-yemen-v-bhutan

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_asian_cup.html/photo/group-d-sri-lanka-v-thailand-turkmenistan-v-chinese-taipei

Qualifiers - Group C: Bangladesh 1-0 India

Tue, 18 Nov, 2025

Qualifiers - Group C: Bangladesh 1-0 India

Dhaka: Bangladesh defeated India 1-0 to secure their first AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Qualifiers Final Round Group C win at the National Stadium Dhaka on Tuesday.

With both sides already eliminated, the result moved Bangladesh to five points while India anchor the table on two.

كأس آسيا - الفيديو

Qualifiers - Final Round: How the Groups stand

Wed, 19 Nov, 2025

Qualifiers - Final Round: How the Groups stand

Kuala Lumpur: Matchday Five of the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Qualifiers Final Round had it all as the games lit up the continent.

A thrilling round of action saw Singapore make history, heartbreak and battles to the end set up, so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at how the groups stand with just one matchday remaining.

Kim hails Vietnam’s winning mentality

Thu, 20 Nov, 2025

Kim hails Vietnam’s winning mentality

Vientiane: Kim Sang-sik was impressed with the performance of Vietnam after they came through a stern Laos test to win their AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Qualifiers Final Round Group F tie 2-0 on Wednesday.

Laos proved to be stubborn opponents and limited Vietnam’s attacking threats before Nguyen Xuan Son’s 68th minute penalty broke the deadlock, with Pham Tuan Hai putting the seal on the win late on.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_asian_cup.html/photo/group-f-nepal-v-malaysia-1

Qualifiers - Group F: Laos 0-2 Vietnam

Wed, 19 Nov, 2025

Qualifiers - Group F: Laos 0-2 Vietnam

Vientiane: Vietnam kept the pressure on Malaysia after digging deep to beat Laos 2-0 in their AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Qualifiers Final Round Group F tie at Lao National Stadium KM16 on Wednesday.

Nguyen Xuan Son, returning to action for Vietnam for the first time since January, and Pham Tuan Hai scored in the second half to take their team back to three points behind Malaysia with the sides to meet in March to decide the group winners..

History-makers Singapore make Lee proud

Wed, 19 Nov, 2025

History-makers Singapore make Lee proud

Hong Kong: Gavin Lee was proud with his players ability to respond after Singapore secured a return to the AFC Asian Cup™ by defeating Hong Kong, China 2-1 in their Qualifiers Final Round Group C tie on Tuesday.

The victory meant the Southeast Asian side booked their spot in the Finals on merit for the first time, with their only previous appearance as hosts of the 1984 edition, and Lee said it was achieved as his players continued to believe despite going a goal down.

Soonsup-Bell delighted to have delivered for Thailand

Wed, 19 Nov, 2025

Soonsup-Bell delighted to have delivered for Thailand

Colombo: Jude Soonsup-Bell had a debut to remember after helping Thailand defeat Sri Lanka 4-0 in their AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Qualifiers Final Round Group D tie on Tuesday.

The 21-year-old - making his competitive debut for Thailand - scored twice after coming on in the 66th minute to replace Teerasak Poeiphimai with the Grimsby Town forward pleased with how the match turned out.

Cuadrat urges Philippines to finish the job

Wed, 19 Nov, 2025

Cuadrat urges Philippines to finish the job

Male: Head coach Carles Cuadrat expressed mixed feelings after the Philippines defeated Maldives 2-0 in their AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Qualifiers Final Round Group A tie on Tuesday.

While the victory kept the Southeast Asian side very much in the race for a ticket to the Finals, Tajikistan lead the standings on goal difference after their 7-1 victory against Timor-Leste, with the sides tied on 13 points and to meet on March 31 in Dushanbe.

Qualifiers - Final Round: MD5 Results & Reports

Wed, 19 Nov, 2025

Qualifiers - Final Round: MD5 Results & Reports

Kuala Lumpur: Only four spots remain up for grabs as Matchday Five of the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Qualifiers Final Round came to a close on Tuesday.

Singapore edged Hong Kong, China 2-1 to confirm the Group C qualification ticket, joining Syria - who booked the Group E top spot on Matchday Four. The two join the 18 teams who advanced to the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 at Saudi Arabia 2027.

Stay updated on the Saudi Arabia 2027 action with the-AFC.com.

Qualifiers - Group B: Yemen 7-1 Bhutan

Wed, 19 Nov, 2025

Qualifiers - Group B: Yemen 7-1 Bhutan

Ardhiyah: Yemen kept alive their hopes of reaching the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ with a 7-1 win against Bhutan in their Qualifiers Final Round Group B tie on Tuesday.

With Lebanon 3-0 winners over Brunei Darussalam in the other game, Yemen went into the match knowing they couldn’t afford to slip up with the victory setting up a winners-take-all showdown with their fellow West Asian side on March 31.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_asian_cup.html/photo/group-b-brunei-darussalam-v-lebanon-yemen-v-bhutan

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_asian_cup.html/photo/group-d-sri-lanka-v-thailand-turkmenistan-v-chinese-taipei

Qualifiers - Group C: Bangladesh 1-0 India

Tue, 18 Nov, 2025

Qualifiers - Group C: Bangladesh 1-0 India

Dhaka: Bangladesh defeated India 1-0 to secure their first AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Qualifiers Final Round Group C win at the National Stadium Dhaka on Tuesday.

With both sides already eliminated, the result moved Bangladesh to five points while India anchor the table on two.