#ACL through the years - Asian Legends

Thu, 16 May, 2024

#ACL through the years - Asian Legends

Kuala Lumpur: The second leg of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 final between Al Ain FC and Yokohama F. Marinos will bring the curtain down on the continental competition in its current guise as the AFC Champions League Elite and AFC Champions League 2 get set to kick off next season.

Over the tournament’s 21-year history, fans of Asian football have witnessed memorable matches, special teams and top-quality players from all over the world.

As the-AFC.com continues to look back at the AFC Champions League through the years, today we highlight some of the best Asian players to appear in the competition.

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#ACL - Who was your favourite?

#ACL - Classic matches

Wed, 15 May, 2024

#ACL - Classic matches

Riyadh: The upcoming second leg of the AFC Champions League 2023-24™ final brings to conclusion a chapter of Asia’s top club competition, before it makes way to AFC Champions League Elite and AFC Champions League 2.

The past two decades of the competition have brought some thrilling encounters that will live long in the memory of Asian football fans. The-AFC.com recounts some of those classic AFC Champions League clashes.

#ACLFinal 1st Leg: What They Said

Tue, 14 May, 2024

#ACLFinal 1st Leg: What They Said

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Final is at the halfway stage with Yokohama F. Marinos holding a narrow advantage following a 2-1 triumph at home against Al Ain FC.

Mohammed Abbas gave the Emiratis an early lead at Yokohama International Stadium before second-half strikes from Asahi Uenaka and Kota Watanabe meant the Marinos will take what could be a priceless lead to Al Ain for the second leg on May 25.

As the two teams now look ahead to the return meeting, the-AFC.com looks back at what some of those involved had to say about the first leg.

#ACL Final: 1st Leg in Numbers

Mon, 13 May, 2024

#ACL Final: 1st Leg in Numbers

Yokohama: Japan’s Yokohama F. Marinos will carry a slender advantage into the second leg of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 final after they edged Al Ain FC of the United Arab Emirates 2-1 in the first leg at Yokohama International Stadium on Saturday. 

Mohammed Abbas gave the visitors a 1-0 lead in the 12th minute, but Yokohama fought back with goals from Asahi Uenaka and Kouta Watanabe in the 72nd and 84th minutes to gain an upper hand at the halfway point of the title clash. 
 
With the stage set for an exciting conclusion to another edition of the AFC Champions League in Al Ain later this month, the-AFC.com looks back at the stats and facts that caught the eye from a thrilling first leg.

Australia and Uzbekistan confirmed as 2026 and 2029 AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ hosts

Wed, 15 May, 2024

Australia and Uzbekistan confirmed as 2026 and 2029 AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ hosts

Bangkok: Australia and Uzbekistan have been confirmed as the hosts of the 2026 and 2029 editions of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ respectively after the AFC Executive Committee today ratified the AFC Women’s Football Committee’s recommendations at its third meeting held in Bangkok, Thailand, on the eve of the 34th AFC Congress.

In congratulating both MAs, AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said: “On behalf of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), I would like to thank the other three initial bidders for the 2026 edition – Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan – for submitting their interests and I offer our sincere congratulations to Football Australia and the Uzbekistan Football Association on being confirmed as hosts of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ in 2026 and 2029 respectively.

Preview - Semi-final: Japan v Korea Republic

Thu, 16 May, 2024

Preview - Semi-final: Japan v Korea Republic

Bali: Korea Republic are putting behind a rocky group stage campaign and stepping up their performance in their AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup™ Indonesia 2024 semi-final tie against Japan on Thursday.

The 2009 AFC U-16 Women’s Championship winners waited until the 75th minute in their last match to qualify for the last four when they drew 1-1 with the Philippines, having bounced back from their opening day defeat to DPR Korea 7-0, before netting 12 unanswered goals against host Indonesia.

Preview - Semi-final: DPR Korea v China PR

Thu, 16 May, 2024

Preview - Semi-final: DPR Korea v China PR

Bali: Preparation is key for Song Sung Gwon as his DPR Korea side look to make their eighth consecutive final appearance when they take on China PR in the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup™ Indonesia 2024 semi-final on Thursday.

Though perfect in the group stage, the three-time champions of the AFC U-17 Women's Championship is taking nothing for granted and have done extensive work on their opponents with Song planning to nullify China PR’s best attacking avenues.