AFC President meets Sri Lankan Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs

Thu, 25 Jan, 2024

AFC President meets Sri Lankan Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs

Doha: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa hosted a high-level meeting with His Excellency Harin Fernando, the Sri Lankan Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, on Wednesday in Doha, Qatar, on the sidelines of the ongoing AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023.

The meeting was attended by key figures from both the AFC and Sri Lankan football leadership, including Jaswar Umar, President of the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL); His Excellency Mohamed Mafaz Mohideen, Sri Lankan Ambassador to Qatar; Dr. Shemal Fernando, Director General of the Department of Sports Development under the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs of Sri Lanka; and Datuk Seri Sri Windsor John, the General Secretary of the AFC.

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3005211.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3005212.html

AFC Technical Study Group at Qatar 2023

Thu, 25 Jan, 2024

AFC Technical Study Group at Qatar 2023

Doha: As the thrilling action unfolds at the world-class venues across the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, a team of experts have been following every move of the 24 participating teams from their perch in the stands.

Together, they form the Asian Football Confederation's (AFC) Technical Study Group (TSG) - an experienced group of technical analysts who will run the rule over all 51 matches of the 18th edition of Asia’s crown jewel.

Social Wrap: Milestone moments as #AsianCup2023 intensifies

Wed, 24 Jan, 2024

Social Wrap: Milestone moments as #AsianCup2023 intensifies

Doha: The AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ is now into the final matchday of the group stage as several teams are still chasing a Round of 16 spot.

A spectacular edition of the continental showpiece continues to deliver special moments, late goals and unexpected twists much to the delight of followers of Asian football.
 
Historic celebrations, fun inside the camp and a duo celebrating their 100th international caps all feature as the-AFC.com takes a look at the social media channels of those involved.

Casas: Iraq will take it one match at a time

Thu, 25 Jan, 2024

Casas: Iraq will take it one match at a time

Doha: Jesus Casas was delighted with Iraq’s come from behind 3-2 win over Vietnam in their AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Group D tie on Wednesday as the 2007 champions completed the group stage with a perfect nine points. 

The victory, secured by an Aymen Hussein spot-kick deep into stoppage time, meant it was the first time Iraq had completed the group stage with a perfect record and what made the win more remarkable was the performance of the second liners, with Casas opting to rest players as the West Asian side had already booked their knockout stage spot with a match to spare. 

Moriyasu pleased with Japan's improved performance

Thu, 25 Jan, 2024

Moriyasu pleased with Japan's improved performance

Doha: Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu commended his players for an improved performance in the 3-1 win over Indonesia in Group D of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ on Wednesday as the Samurai Blue bounced back from their loss to Iraq to confirm their place in the last 16.

Ayase Ueda’s double, including a sixth minute penalty, sent the former champions on their way to victory before Justin Hubner’s own goal ensured Sandy Walsh’s injury time strike was nothing more than a consolation as Japan claimed second spot in the standings.

In Focus: Malaysia’s meeting with Korea Republic brings back memories of glory days

Wed, 24 Jan, 2024

In Focus: Malaysia’s meeting with Korea Republic brings back memories of glory days

Doha: It’s been almost 35 years since Korea Republic and Malaysia last faced each other in international football. The two sides met for the last time all the way back in 1989 when the Koreans posted a 3-0 win against the Southeast Asian nation on their way to their third FIFA World Cup appearance in 1990. 

They might be separated by more than 100 places in the FIFA World Rankings these days, but Korea Republic and Malaysia have plenty of history between them and regularly went up against each other to produce many memorable clashes back in the 1970s and early 1980s.
 
With the duo set to do battle again on Matchday Three of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ on Thursday, the-AFC.com takes a look back at the golden age of Malaysian football and how the Harimau Malaya’s clashes with Korea Republic played a big role in defining that successful period.

Group D: Ueda steers Japan into Round of 16

Thu, 25 Jan, 2024

Group D: Ueda steers Japan into Round of 16

Doha: Ayase Ueda scored a goal in each half as Japan eased to a 3-1 win over Indonesia at Al Thumama Stadium on Wednesday as the four-times champions confirmed their place in the last 16 of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ as runners-up in Group D.

Ueda’s sixth minute penalty put Hajime Moriyasu’s side in early control and the Feyenoord striker doubled his team’s lead seven minutes into the second half to ensure the Samurai Blue bounced back from their 2-1 loss against Iraq on Matchday Two.
 
Indonesia’s Justin Hubner put the ball in his own net three minutes from time before Sandy Walsh struck at the other end a minute into injury time when he slotted a consolation past Zion Suzuki.
 
The result means Japan finish behind Iraq while Indonesia take third place and will have to wait for the conclusion of the group phase on Thursday to determine if they will advance to the last 16.