#ACL - R16: Players to Watch (East)

Sat, 10 Feb, 2024

#ACL - R16: Players to Watch (East)

Kuala Lumpur: After an exciting month of AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ action, the attention swiftly turns to the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Round of 16 as the teams that advanced from the group stage continue their quests to become the best on the continent. 

With an array of stars set to take to the field in the last 16 in the coming week, the-AFC.com shines the spotlight on a key player from each of the eight teams in the East Zone who could be crucial for their respective sides' chances of progressing to the quarter-finals.

ACL - Ones to Watch - East

Round of 16: The Contenders

Fri, 09 Feb, 2024

Round of 16: The Contenders

Kuala Lumpur: Just three days after the final of a remarkable AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, the continent’s premier club competition will return when the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 knockout rounds get underway on February 13. 

Some 40 teams entered the group stage when it kicked off back in September, with eight former champions and numerous world-renowned stars from the Saudi Pro League among the initial cast. 
 
That number has now been whittled down to 16 as eight sides from East Asia and eight from West Asia battle it out to be crowned kings of Asia. Ahead of the first legs of the Round of 16, the-AFC.com shines the spotlight on the teams. 

West Zonal S-Finals: Players to Watch

Sat, 10 Feb, 2024

West Zonal S-Finals: Players to Watch

Kuala Lumpur: Four teams resume their journey in the AFC Cup™ 2023/24 West Zonal Semi-finals, with dreams of lifting the trophy of the last-ever edition of the competition which was won by teams from the West zone on nine of the past 10 editions.

Bahrain’s Al Riffa take on Oman’s Al Nahda while Lebanon’s Al Ahed face Iraq’s Al Kahrabaa in the next phase of the competition. Ahead of the action on Monday and Tuesday, the-AFC.com profiles key players to watch in the upcoming stage.

Afif stars as Qatar defeat Jordan to retain title

Tue, 13 Feb, 2024

Afif stars as Qatar defeat Jordan to retain title

Lusail: Akram Afif scored a hat-trick of penalties as Qatar won their second consecutive AFC Asian Cup™ title after defeating Jordan 3-1 in the Qatar 2023 final at a packed Lusail Stadium on Saturday.

Though Yazan Al Naimat’s equaliser gave first time finalists Jordan a flicker of hope, Afif’s coolness and Qatar’s overall superiority saw them defending the title they won in 2019 comfortably. 
 
Afif’s hat-trick, the first of the tournament, took his tally to eight as he was named the Most Valuable Player and took home the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 Yili Top Scorer Award. 

Super Afif named MVP, wins Yili Top Scorer Award

Sun, 11 Feb, 2024

Super Afif named MVP, wins Yili Top Scorer Award

Doha: Akram Afif was named the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Most Valuable Player and also picked up the Yili Top Scorer Award on Saturday as his outstanding performances helped Qatar clinch the Continental title for the second consecutive time. 

The striker, who netted a hat-trick of penalties in the final, scored eight goals and made three assists in a campaign which saw him play a major part in the Maroons retaining the title they won in 2019, becoming one of only five teams to have managed such feat. 

Qatar's Barsham takes Best Goalkeeper honour

Sun, 11 Feb, 2024

Qatar's Barsham takes Best Goalkeeper honour

Doha: Qatar's Meshaal Barsham was named the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Best Goalkeeper after playing a pivotal role in his side lifting the coveted trophy for the second successive time.

The custodian, who celebrates his 26th birthday on Wednesday, started six of Qatar's seven matches with the Maroons defeating Jordan 3-1 in a thrilling final at the Lusail Stadium on Saturday.

AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ our crowning moment: Shaikh Salman

Sun, 11 Feb, 2024

AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ our crowning moment: Shaikh Salman

18th edition sets new attendance, broadcast and digital engagement records; four sides make Knockout stage debuts

Doha: Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has congratulated Qatar on creating history as the West Asians became only the fifth team to defend their AFC Asian Cup™ crown after defeating Jordan 3-1 in a pulsating Final at the Lusail Stadium on Saturday.