Al Ain in the #ACL

Wed, 08 May, 2024

Al Ain in the #ACL

Riyadh: The United Arab Emirates’ most successful club, Al Ain, return to the AFC Champions League™ final for the fourth time in their history, facing the challenge of Japan’s Yokohama F. Marinos in the 2023/24 edition.

Among West Asian clubs, only two (Al Hilal and Al Sadd) have played in the AFC Champions League more than Al Ain, and only Al Hilal have contested the knockout stages of the competition more times than the Emirati powerhouse. Ahead of the first leg of the final, the-AFC.com revisits Al Ain’s journey in the continental competition over the past two decades.

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#ACL Final: 5 Classic 1st Legs

Tue, 07 May, 2024

#ACL Final: 5 Classic 1st Legs

Riyadh: The Yokohama Internatinoal Stadium plays host to the AFC Champions League 2023-24™ final first leg between Yokohama F. Marinos and Al Ain, bringing to a close a two-decade long era in Asia’s top club competition.

Twenty years earlier, Al Ain were also involved in the final, and with clubs moving into the AFC Champions League Elite and AFC Champions League 2 as of next season, the-AFC.com looks back at some of the most memorable final first legs.

#ACL - Hall of Fame

Mon, 06 May, 2024

#ACL - Hall of Fame

Kuala Lumpur: Yokohama F. Marinos and Al Ain FC will battle for the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 title over the coming days, with the first leg of the final to be played on Saturday.

Both will be determined to lift the trophy in the final season of the AFC Champions League in its present format, with a new three-tier club system to be introduced from the 2024/25 season.

IR Iran fourth in inaugural FIFA Futsal Men's World Ranking

Tue, 07 May, 2024

IR Iran fourth in inaugural FIFA Futsal Men's World Ranking

Kuala Lumpur: Islamic Republic of Iran have debuted in fourth spot in the inaugural FIFA Men’s Futsal World Ranking.  

Iran’s position comes after they clinched the AFC Futsal Asian Cup™ Thailand 2024, while runners-up Thailand are ninth.

Uzbekistan are the third highest Asian side at 11th.

Europe Wrap: Jeong strikes to down Bayern; Morita’s Sporting are Portuguese champions

Tue, 07 May, 2024

Europe Wrap: Jeong strikes to down Bayern; Morita’s Sporting are Portuguese champions

Kuala Lumpur: Korean attacking midfielder Jeong Woo-yeong came off the bench to score against his former side as VfB Stuttgart defeated Bayern Munich 3-1 in the Bundesliga on Saturday to take the race between the two sides for second place in the German top division to the final two matchdays. 

Japan midfielder Hidemasa Morita lifted the Portuguese league title with Sporting Lisbon after a 3-0 defeat of Portimonense while Australia defender Clare Hunt won the women’s cup in France with Paris Saint-Germain. 
 
Caitlin Foord supplied an assist as Arsenal dealt a massive blow for Manchester City’s title charge in England while Kyogo Furuhashi bagged a double to move Celtic closer to the title in Scotland , so join the-AFC.com as we find out how the Asian stars performed in Europe over the past week. 

Dream come true for Philippines’ Collins

Tue, 07 May, 2024

Dream come true for Philippines’ Collins

Bali: The honour and privilege to play for one’s nation is an ambition achieved for Natalie Collins after she played a pivotal role in helping Philippines secure a 6-1 win over Indonesia in the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup™ Indonesia 2024 on Monday.

Collins, who plays for Heat FC in the Elite Clubs National League in the United States, scored twice in the second half, a display that she feels will make her family very proud.

Jon sets sights on becoming DPR Korea’s football queen

Tue, 07 May, 2024

Jon sets sights on becoming DPR Korea’s football queen

Bali: Despite scoring a hat-trick in DPR Korea’s 7-0 defeat of Korea Republic and being named Player of the Match in the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup™ Indonesia 2024 Group A tie, Jon Il-Chong still thinks she has a lot more to contribute to her team.

The midfielder produced a sparkling display at the Bali United Training Center on Monday, first assisting teammate Ho Kyong with a pinpoint pass that resulted in DPR Korea’s second goal and then getting her own name on the scoresheet in the 47th, 50th and 88th minutes.