Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Bishkek: From fourth-tier football to international stardom, on January 16, 2019, Vitalij Lux lived out the sort of sporting fairy-tale usually only seen in Hollywood.
The Kara-Balta-born, Germany-based striker carried the Kyrgyz Republic national team on his shoulders on January 16, 2019, bagging the side’s first ever international hat-trick to help them to a crucial 3-1 win over the Philippines, which ultimately sealed their progression to the Round of 16.
Speaking to the-AFC.com, Lux reflected on the day which defined his international career; and one which made him a national hero.
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/lux_-_afc_asian_cup_2019_-_kyrgyz_republic_vs_korea_republic_1.html
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www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_asian_cup/video/round_of_16_uae_vs_kyrgyz_republic.html
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Tue, 01 Nov, 2022
Kuala Lumpur: Over the years a number of Asian players have produced the goods at the FIFA World Cup, lighting up arenas around the globe and providing incredible moments that have gone down in the Continent’s footballing folklore.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Bishkek: Alexander Krestinin has left an indelible impact on football’s trajectory in the Kyrgyz Republic. What began with an offer to play in Central Asia in the twilight of his playing days has evolved into a career-defining football journey, culminating in unprecedented highs for the country’s national team.
A Russian national, Krestinin is now Kyrgyz Republic’s longest serving national team boss, while simultaneously coaching Premier League champions FC Dordoi, and led the nation to their first ever major tournament at the 2019 AFC Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates.
In the first of a new series on the-AFC.com, Krestinin charts his course from the very beginning of his football career, including instant managerial success at PFC Neftchi Kockhor-Ata, transforming the fortunes of a national team, and – in his own words - how the Kyrgyz Republic became his Asian home.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Tashkent: It seems that every time Uzbekistan excel in Asia's FIFA World Cup preliminaries, a new star emerges.
Alexander Geynrikh was the player who dazzled in their Germany 2006 campaign, striking four times as his side stormed all the way through to the Asian play-off - only to lose out, heartbreakingly, to Bahrain on away goals. Then national legend Maksim Shatskikh rose to the occasion on the road to South Africa 2010, racking up eight goals to fire his side to the final qualifying round.
The Central Asians also came close in the Brazil 2014 preliminaries being edged out by Korea Republic on goal difference and, on that occasion, captain Server Djeparov led by example with outstanding performances that included four goals.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: While Asian football fans await the return of the beautiful game, there remains plenty to keep us occupied during its hiatus and nothing more so that than looking back on the fabulous goals we've seen over the years.
Following on from last week's acrobatic AFC Champions League goals, next up in the-AFC.com's '5 of the Best' series we recall five solo goals where players have taken matters into their own hands and produced the goods in emphatic style.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Over the past few decades, Asian football has produced some iconic national teams. In this series, the-AFC.com looks at some of those generations that shaped the sport in the world’s largest continent.
When Japan defeated China PR to be crowned continental champions in 2004, that was the first AFC Asian Cup final not to feature Saudi Arabia for 24 years. This incredible stat is perhaps the best testament to how dominant the Green Falcons had been in the last part of the 20th century.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Jordan’s women’s team captain Stephanie Al Naber, Uzbekistan legend Server Djeparov and Thailand and Buriram United winger Sasalak Haprakhon are the latest Asian stars to support the Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) commitment towards raising awareness in tackling the current COVID-19 pandemic.
The overwhelming backing of Member Associations, players and officials has seen numbers grow with close to 100 Asian football luminaries declaring their support behind the trending #BreakTheChain campaign.