Leonardo Jardim stars in the latest Coaches Circle edition

Thu, 05 Jan, 2023

Leonardo Jardim stars in the latest Coaches Circle edition

Kuala Lumpur: The ninth edition of the Coaches Circle is now available on the-AFC.com, and the latest issue casts the spotlight on former Al Hilal head coach Leonardo Jardim who guided the Saudi Arabian giants to the AFC Champions League™ title in 2021.

The Portuguese tactician, who has since moved onto Shabab Al Ahli from the United Arab Emirates, provides an insightful overview on some of the crucial elements of success in a storied and well-travelled managerial career spanning more than 20 years. 

When Global Stars Arrive In Asia

Tue, 03 Jan, 2023

When Global Stars Arrive In Asia

Kuala Lumpur: Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Al Nassr has created waves across world football, with the former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus attacker signing a contract until 2025 with the Riyadh giants as the Saudi Pro League continues to go from strength to strength. 

While Saudi Arabia has attracted numerous top-class talents to its shores in recent years, the arrival of Ronaldo marks another significant step forward for the ambitious league, where Brazil’s 1970 FIFA World Cup winner Rivellino with Al Hilal SFC and Bulgarian legend Hristo Stoichkov, who was briefly at Al Nassr, are among the other greats to have played in the Gulf nation. 
 
As football fans across the globe turn their focus to Saudi Arabia to see how the five-time Ballon d’Or winner fares in his new club’s colours, join the-AFC.com as we look at some of the biggest names to have graced Asian football over the years. 

Ronaldo promises to break more records at Al Nassr

Wed, 04 Jan, 2023

Ronaldo promises to break more records at Al Nassr

Riyadh: Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo was greeted by thousands of adoring fans at his official unveiling as an Al Nassr player on Tuesday. 

The 37-year-old, who won the Ballon d'Or five times and whose great rivalry with Lionel Messi dominated world football for well over a decade, was paraded at his new club's King Saud University Stadium after jetting in late on Monday.

Group B: Vietnam, Malaysia seal last four slots

Tue, 03 Jan, 2023

Group B: Vietnam, Malaysia seal last four slots

Kuala Lumpur: Vietnam and Malaysia advanced to the 2022 AFF Cup semi-finals with impressive wins in their final Group B ties on Tuesday.

Two-time champions Vietnam topped the group with a 3-0 win over Myanmar in Hanoi while Malaysia were simply unstoppable in their 4-1 defeat of Singapore in Kuala Lumpur. 
 
Vietnam will face Indonesia in the semi-finals while Malaysia take on defending champions Thailand. 

Schrock calls time on Azkals career

Tue, 03 Jan, 2023

Schrock calls time on Azkals career

Manila: Stephan Schrock’s international career came to an end as the Philippines bowed out of the 2022 AFF Cup with a 2-1 defeat to Indonesia in their Group A fixture on Monday.

Goals by Dendy Sulistyawan and Marselino Ferdinan Philipus proved to be enough for Indonesia to clinch a spot in the semi-finals and spoil Schrock’s party at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

The Philippines finished fourth in the standings.

Registration opens for fifth edition of FMD

Tue, 03 Jan, 2023

Registration opens for fifth edition of FMD

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has opened registration for the fifth edition of the landmark Football Management Diploma (FMD) programme under the AFC Academic Centre of Excellence (ACE).

The programme, which was launched in November 2021, marked the graduation of its inaugural batch in December 2022 where representatives of the Confederation’s Member Associations (MAs) and Regional Associations (RAs) as well as the Continent’s larger football ecosystem were given the opportunity to hone their skills as future leaders of Asian football.