Pivotal reforms approved by AFC Competitions Committee

Fri, 24 May, 2024

Pivotal reforms approved by AFC Competitions Committee

Al Ain: The AFC Competitions Committee underlined its determination to enhance Asian football after approving a host of key decisions in view of the strategic reforms to be introduced this year at its third meeting held in Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates.

Led by Chairperson Dr. Tran Quoc Tuan, the Committee commenced proceedings by expressing their best wishes to Al Ain FC and Yokohama F. Marinos ahead of their epic showdown in the second leg of the AFC Champions League™ Final at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium tomorrow.

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Preview - Final (2nd Leg): Al Ain FC (UAE) 1 v 2 Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN)

Sun, 26 May, 2024

Preview - Final (2nd Leg): Al Ain FC (UAE) 1 v 2 Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN)

Al Ain: Al Ain FC will head into the return leg of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 final confident of lifting the coveted title.

The 2003 AFC Champions League winners lost the first leg 2-1 to Yokohama F. Marinos two weeks ago but the side from the United Arab Emirates believe home ground advantage will take them past their Japanese opponents.

Match officials confirmed for #ACLFinal 2nd Leg

Thu, 23 May, 2024

Match officials confirmed for #ACLFinal 2nd Leg

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has confirmed the cast of match officials who will oversee the second leg of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Final.

The second leg of the enticing clash between United Arab Emirates (UAE)’s Al Ain FC and Japan’s Yokohama F Marinos will kick off at the spectacular Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on May 25.

#ACL through the years: Stats & Facts

Wed, 22 May, 2024

#ACL through the years: Stats & Facts

Kuala Lumpur: Some 21 years since Al Ain FC beat Thailand’s BEC Tero Sasana to win the inaugural AFC Champions League™, the curtain will come down on the continental competition in its current format following the second leg of the 2023/24 final between the Emiratis and Japan’s Yokohama F. Marinos.

The tournament has provided numerous thrilling moments during more than two decades of action, with Asia’s finest talents and FIFA World Cup-winning players and coaches among those who have been on display. 

As fans across the continent look forward to Saturday’s showpiece event, the-AFC.com reflects on some of the key stats and facts from over the years.

Kewell warns Yokohama must 'suffer' to win title

Thu, 23 May, 2024

Kewell warns Yokohama must 'suffer' to win title

Yokohama: Harry Kewell says his Yokohama F. Marinos will "have to suffer" to win the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 despite taking a one-goal lead into Saturday's second leg of the final at Hernan Crespo's Al Ain.

Kewell's side won the first leg 2-1 in Japan two weeks ago and now head to the United Arab Emirates for the return at what is likely to be a packed Hazza bin Zayed Stadium.

Al Hashemi counting on fans to push Al Ain past Yokohama

Wed, 22 May, 2024

Al Hashemi counting on fans to push Al Ain past Yokohama

Al Ain: Al Ain defender Khalid Al Hashemi is confident the support of the home fans can push his team to victory over Yokohama F. Marinos in the second leg of their AFC Champions League™ 2023/2024 final at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium on Saturday.

Hernan Crespo’s side trail 2-1 from the opening encounter in Japan last week after Kota Watanabe scored with six minutes remaining to give Harry Kewell’s outfit a slender advantage going into the return leg in the United Arab Emirates.

#ACL through the years - Great Goals

Wed, 22 May, 2024

#ACL through the years - Great Goals

Riyadh: Trophies might be the ultimate target for clubs and competing in Asia’s top club competition, but for players, the moment of knowing they scored a great goal brings a special feeling of pride.

Over the years, the AFC Champions League has treated us to some unforgettable goals, from long-range belters to brilliant solo efforts to intelligently executed finishes. The-AFC.com brings back some of the greatest goals ahead of the last-ever final.

#ACL through the years - Hotshots

Mon, 20 May, 2024

#ACL through the years - Hotshots

Kuala Lumpur: Over the years, the AFC Champions League™ has seen no shortage of star strikers with some of the best forwards from Asia and beyond appearing in the continental competition.

Whether it be consistent scoring across numerous campaigns or incredible single-season tallies, goalscorers have so often stolen the spotlight in Asia’s premier club tournament.

As Asian football gets set to move into a new era from next season, the-AFC.com looks back at some of the finest frontmen to grace the continental competition.

#ACL through the years – Iconic Moments

Sat, 18 May, 2024

#ACL through the years – Iconic Moments

Kuala Lumpur: As the AFC Champions League™ gets set to draw to a close following the second leg of the final between Al Ain FC and Yokohama F. Marinos, the-AFC.com continues to look back at some of the highlights from over the years.

This time round, we rewind the clock to some of the most iconic and standout occasions in the tournament’s 21-year history with moments that will live long in the memory of Asian football fans. 

#ACL through the years – Master Tacticians

Mon, 20 May, 2024

#ACL through the years – Master Tacticians

Kuala Lumpur: Over its two decades of history, the AFC Champions League™ was won by 19 coaches from 12 different countries, including names that range from world famous tacticians to homegrown club heroes.

As Hernan Crespo and Harry Kewell look horns from the dugouts in the final of the last edition of the AFC Champions League in its present format, the-AFC.com looks back at some of the best head coaches to have won the coveted prize.