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#AFCCup - Preview: MD6

Sat, 09 Dec, 2023

#AFCCup - Preview: MD6

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Cup™ 2023/24 group phase will conclude this coming week with teams set to make a last ditch effort to qualify for the knockout stage. 

Oman’s Al Nahda, Al Riffa of Bahrain, Kyrgyz Republic’s FK Abdysh-Ata Kant and Sabah FC of Malaysia, however, have already confirmed their spots in the knockout stage draw scheduled for December 28.

There are still numerous places up for grabs so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at what lies in store for us on Matchday Six. 

Player to Watch: Asnawi Mangkualam (Indonesia)

Sat, 09 Dec, 2023

Player to Watch: Asnawi Mangkualam (Indonesia)

Kuala Lumpur: Tenacious and physical with a desire to attack, Indonesia’s right-back Asnawi Mangkualam is a captain who leads by example in his efforts to drive his national team forward.

The 24-year-old possesses a determination that belies his youth and it is little wonder he is the first name on the team sheet for head coach Shin Tae-yong.
 
Football is in the blood of a player who represented his country consistently at youth level, with Indonesia’s Liga 1 outfit PSM Makassar central to his development.

Saudi Arabia 2023: Squads in Numbers

Sat, 09 Dec, 2023

Saudi Arabia 2023: Squads in Numbers

Jeddah: The FIFA Club World Cup Saudi Arabia 2023 kicks off on Tuesday with Al Ittihad playing Auckland City in a first round clash.

As Saudi Arabia's Al Ittihad and New Zealand's intensify their preparations, we take a look at the facts and figures from the final squads. 

Al Hilal maintain lead, Al Nassr bounce back

Sat, 09 Dec, 2023

Al Hilal maintain lead, Al Nassr bounce back

Al Matar: Al Hilal defeated Al Tai 2-1 to maintain their seven-point lead in the Saudi Pro League 2023/24 on Friday.

Al Nassr beat Al Riyadh 4-1 to stay second while defending champions Al Ittihad suffered another setback, going down 3-1 to Damac on Thursday.

Wang Shuang signs for Tottenham

Fri, 08 Dec, 2023

Wang Shuang signs for Tottenham

London: China PR midfielder Wang Shuang has signed for Tottenham Hotspur, the English club announced on Friday. 

The 28-year old will join Tottenham on January 1 following the expiry of her contract with American side Racing Louisville.

Tottenham said her contract will run until 2026 and Wang Shuang will wear the number 77 for the women's first team.

Player to Watch: Sunil Chhetri (India)

Fri, 08 Dec, 2023

Player to Watch: Sunil Chhetri (India)

Kuala Lumpur: Even at the grand old age of 39, India captain Sunil Chhetri continues to shoulder the hopes of an entire nation as he remains the talismanic figure of the Indian national team.

The evergreen Bengaluru FC forward first appeared in the AFC Asian Cup™ back in 2011, which was also held in Qatar, and he returns to the Gulf country for his third continental appearance.
 
India’s most capped player and the fourth highest men’s international goalscorer of all time has won numerous accolades for club and country and is once again looking to galvanise his beloved nation at the upcoming quadrennial showpiece.

Moriyasu: Japan must 'deal with anything'

Fri, 08 Dec, 2023

Moriyasu: Japan must 'deal with anything'

Tokyo: Japan will need to be able to "deal with anything" at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ if they are to win a record fifth title, head coach Hajime Moriyasu has stressed. 

Japan are one of the favourites for the tournament, which kicks off on January 12, after winning their last eight games including away victories over Germany and Turkey.

AFC eAsian Cup set to debut at #AsianCup2023

Fri, 08 Dec, 2023

AFC eAsian Cup set to debut at #AsianCup2023

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) will unveil the inaugural edition of the AFC eAsian Cup, in conjunction with the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, from February 1 to 5, 2024.

In an exciting fusion of the traditional and digital, the AFC eAsian Cup marks the Confederation’s first foray into the world of esports, reinforcing its desire to engage further with a new generation of football fans in a cutting-edge celebration of the sport. 

AFC President underscores belief in Asia’s representatives

Fri, 08 Dec, 2023

AFC President underscores belief in Asia’s representatives

Kuala Lumpur: With the attention of world football set firmly on Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, ahead of Tuesday’s FIFA Club World Cup 2023 kick-off, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has sent his best wishes to Asia’s representatives and underlined his confidence in the Local Organising Committee (LOC), the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) and FIFA to deliver a memorable club spectacle. 

Scheduled to take place from December 12 to 22 at the Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium and the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Asia will be represented by reigning AFC Champions League™ winners Urawa Red Diamonds of Japan and host club Al Ittihad FC.

Muscat to leave Marinos

Thu, 07 Dec, 2023

Muscat to leave Marinos

Yokohama: Yokohama F Marinos have announced that J1 League title-winning head coach Kevin Muscat will leave the club at the end of the season.

Muscat took over from fellow Australian Ange Postecoglou in the summer of 2021 before leading F Marinos to the title in 2022, and his last game in charge will be Wednesday’s AFC Champions League™ meeting with Chinese Super League side Shandong Taishan.

Janas urges Urawa to move on from elimination heartbreak

Thu, 07 Dec, 2023

Janas urges Urawa to move on from elimination heartbreak

Hanoi: Assistant head coach Rafal Janas insists Urawa Red Diamonds must quickly forget Wednesday’s AFC Champions League™ 2023/2024 defeat to Vietnam’s Hanoi FC with the FIFA Club World Cup Saudi Arabia 2023 coming up next week for the Japanese side.

Bryan Linssen cancelled out Dao Van Nam’s opener before Hanoi scored the winner through Pham Tuan Hai’s 87th minute spot-kick as Urawa, who lifted the AFC Champions League title for the third time in May, crashed out. 

They play Mexico’s Club Leon in the second round of the FIFA Club World Cup on December 15. 

Pohang’s Kim disappointed with Wuhan draw

Thu, 07 Dec, 2023

Pohang’s Kim disappointed with Wuhan draw

Wuhan: Head coach Kim Gi-dong was disappointed that Pohang Steelers could not end their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Group J campaign with a perfect record. 

The Korea Republic side have been a revelation all season long but had to come from behind to salvage a 1-1 against China PR’s Wuhan Three Towns FC on Wednesday, having won all five previous matches in the group stage.