Ho Chi Minh City’s Tran Phi Son eyeing V.League and AFC Cup success

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Ho Chi Minh City’s Tran Phi Son eyeing V.League and AFC Cup success

Ho Chi Minh City: Tran Phi Son has admitted that Ho Chi Minh City FC are targeting the 2020 V.League title and aiming make their mark on the continent as the Vietnamese side look forward to a fruitful second half of the year. 

Having narrowly missed out on their domestic league crown last year, Ho Chi Minh City have looked strong in what has been a disrupted 2020. They sit third in the V.league and were top of their AFC Cup group after three games prior to the competition’s COVID-19-related hiatus.

Indeed, just a point behind table-toppers Song Lam Nghe An, first hosts third on Tuesday in a game that offers Ho Chi Minh City the chance to move top of the standings after six games against a club where Phi Son made more than 100 appearances between 2012 and 2017.

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/ho_chi_minh_city_team_line-up.html

Asian Icons: Ahmed Radhi (Iraq)

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Asian Icons: Ahmed Radhi (Iraq)

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian football family woke up on Sunday to the sad news of the passing away of Iraqi football legend Ahmed Radhi at the age of 56 after a short battle with COVID-19.

With a goal scoring record few strikers anywhere in Asia can match, Ahmed Radhi has earned his place amongst the continent’s elite in this latest edition of the-AFC.com’s ‘Asian Icons’ series.

Vote for your best Asian team at the FIFA World Cup: Midfielders

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Vote for your best Asian team at the FIFA World Cup: Midfielders

Kuala Lumpur: As the-AFC.com continues its quest to find out who you, the fans, regard as the finest Asian players to have starred at the FIFA World Cup by compiling an all-time Best XI, we turn our attention to the midfield positions. 

Having discovered who you view as the the best goalkeeper and the ideal candidates for the backline, we now shine the spotlight on the more attacking positions, with a star-studded cast for you to choose from, including world-renowned performers such as Park, Nakata and Honda.

So, review the nominees and then choose your favourite for this all-star XI in the poll below.

Flashback: Park Hang-seo relives Korea Republic’s amazing 2002 feat

Fri, 04 Nov, 2022

Flashback: Park Hang-seo relives Korea Republic’s amazing 2002 feat

Kuala Lumpur: Outgoing head coach Park Hang-seo’s achievements with Vietnam have captured the imagination of the continent’s football fans and it has slipped the minds of many that he was part of the Korea Republic coaching staff in the FIFA World Cup Korea Republic/Japan 2002. 

The first FIFA World Cup to be held in Asia and also the first to be co-hosted - with Korea Republic and Japan sharing the responsibility - it was a tournament that showcased the very best of Asian football.

As the-AFC.com continues the buildup to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, we reproduce an interview with Park on June 22, 2020 in which he recollects Korea Republic's amazing run to the semi-finals.

Vote for your best ACL2017 Team: Midfielders

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Vote for your best ACL2017 Team: Midfielders

Kuala Lumpur: As the-AFC.com continues to look back on the best performers from recent AFC Champions League campaigns, there is another star-studded cast on offer this week as we ask you, the fans, to name your best midfielders from the 2017 tournament. 

We began with the 2017 edition's best goalkeeper, next came the candidates for the backline and now it's time to shine the spotlight on the more attacking positions as we highlight the 10 standout candidates in midfield.

From Omar Abdulrahman to Paulinho, this list features some of the biggest talents in Asian football, so review the nominees and then choose your favourites for this all-star XI in the poll below.

Flashback: IR Iran defeat USA for historic victory

Thu, 03 Nov, 2022

Flashback: IR Iran defeat USA for historic victory

Kuala Lumpur: Islamic Republic of Iran are set to face the United States of America in Group B of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

Ahead of the November 30 clash at the Al Thumama Stadium, the-AFC.com has dug into its archives to look back at the first time the two teams met at the global showpiece, which ended in a historic win for Iran. 

This article was first published on 21 June 2020. 

Magical Moments: Almoez Ali vs Japan (AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019)

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Magical Moments: Almoez Ali vs Japan (AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019)

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 proved to be yet another seminal moment in the young career of Qatar striker Almoez Ali.

Having arrived in the United Arab Emirates with an already burgeoning reputation, the livewire forward went on to find the net a record nine times – the last of which was a particularly magical moment in the final – and be named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

That accolade, along with the award for finishing as top goalscorer, was roundly applauded, a nod to Ali’s prowess following a campaign which saw him shine brightly yet again for Felix Sanchez’s charges as they claimed Qatar’s first-ever AFC Asian Cup crown.