Shaikh Salman congratulates Son Heung-min on winning FIFA Puskás Award

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Shaikh Salman congratulates Son Heung-min on winning FIFA Puskás Award

Kuala Lumpur: Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has congratulated Korea Republic and Tottenham Hotspur star Son Heung-min on winning the FIFA Puskás Award on Thursday after his spectacular solo effort against Burnley in the English Premier League last season was voted the best goal of 2020 by millions of fans across the world on the FIFA website.

The three-time AFC Asian International Player of the Year in 2015, 2017 and 2019 held off tough competition from Uruguayan Luis Suarez and Giorgian De Arrascaeta of Brazilian club Flamengo to become the second Asian player to win the highly-acclaimed prize, after Malaysia’s Mohd Faiz Subri clinched the award in 2016 for his remarkable goal for Penang.

Son Heung-min wins FIFA Puskás Award

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Son Heung-min wins FIFA Puskás Award

Zurich: Son Heung-min's brilliant goal for Tottenham Hotspur against Burnley has won the Korea Republic star the 2020 FIFA Puskás Award.

The three-time AFC Asian International Player of the Year in 2015, 2017 and 2019 saw off tough competition from Uruguayan Luis Suarez and Giorgian De Arrascaeta of Brazilian club Flamengo to become the second Asian player to win the highly-acclaimed prize, after Malaysia’s Mohd Faiz Subri clinched the award in 2016 for his remarkable goal for Penang.

ACL Champions League (West) Semi-final: Defensive Shields

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

ACL Champions League (West) Semi-final: Defensive Shields

Doha: The 2020 AFC Champions League (West) reaches its climax on Saturday as Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr and Islamic Republic of Iran’s Persepolis FC lock horns at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium with a place in the final at stake.

Both sides qualified for the competition as champions of their domestic leagues and put in a series of impressive performances in Doha that brought them to within 90 minutes of the final.

Ahead of Saturday’s semi-final clash, the-AFC.com takes a statistical look at key players for Al Nassr and Persepolis in defence, midfield and attack.

AFC Champions League Final: Magical individual performances

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

AFC Champions League Final: Magical individual performances

Doha: They are the players that led the way, produced moments of magic and moved heaven and earth to bring AFC Champions League glory to their clubs.

As we count down to Saturday’s 2020 AFC Champions League final between Persepolis FC and Ulsan Hyundai FC, the-AFC.com picks out six of the best and brightest individual displays ever seen in the continental decider.

Don't forget to tell us who was your favourite in the poll at the bottom of the article.

2020 AFC Champions League - Road to the Final: Ulsan Hyundai FC

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

2020 AFC Champions League - Road to the Final: Ulsan Hyundai FC

Doha: It has been a long journey in an exceptional 2020 AFC Champions League campaign disrupted by a global pandemic, but Persepolis FC and Ulsan Hyundai FC have defied all challenges and emerged as Asia’s finest club sides of the year, contesting on Saturday for continental glory.

There were setbacks, disappointments, penalty heroics and - ultimately - joy for the players and supporters. the-AFC.com recounts the journey of 2020 AFC Champions League finalists Ulsan Hyundai ahead of the decider at Al Janoub Stadium on Saturday.

2020 AFC Champions League - Road to the Final: Persepolis FC

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

2020 AFC Champions League - Road to the Final: Persepolis FC

Doha: It has been a long journey in an exceptional 2020 AFC Champions League campaign disrupted by a global pandemic, but Persepolis FC and Ulsan Hyundai FC have defied all challenges and emerged as Asia’s finest club sides of the year, contesting on Saturday for Continental glory.

There were setbacks, disappointments, penalty heroics and - ultimately - joy for the players and supporters. the-AFC.com recounts the journey of the 2020 AFC Champions League finalists Persepolis FC ahead of the decider at Al Janoub Stadium on Saturday.

Vissel Kobe's Iniesta vows to play on after surgery

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Vissel Kobe's Iniesta vows to play on after surgery

Tokyo: Former Barcelona star Andres Iniesta has promised his glittering career won't be cut short by the thigh injury that has left him facing four months on the sidelines.

The FIFA World Cup-winning Spanish midfielder, 36, said he planned to be back for his Japanese club Vissel Kobe next season after undergoing surgery in Barcelona on a ruptured tendon.

Iniesta suffered the injury in the knockout stages of the 2020 AFC Champions League, where he helped Vissel reach the semi-finals before they were knocked out on Sunday.