One Month to #ACL2022 (West) Round of 16 - How Are They Shaping Up

Thu, 19 Jan, 2023

One Month to #ACL2022 (West) Round of 16 - How Are They Shaping Up

Dubai: The long wait is nearly over with exactly one month left until the start of the AFC Champions League™ 2022 Round of 16 (West) where eight teams will battle out for the right to play Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds in the final.

Despite playing in the second tier domestically, Al Faisaly join fellow Saudi clubs Al Hilal SFC and Al Shabab as well as Qatari duo Al Duhail and Al Rayyan, UAE’s Shabab Al Ahli, Islamic Republic of Iran’s Foolad Khouzestan and 2021 AFC Cup™ runners-up FC Nasaf of Uzbekistan.
 
Join the-AFC.com as we take a look at how the teams are shaping up for the Round of 16 scheduled for February 19-20 in Doha, Qatar.

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/2021_afc_champions_league_al_hilal_sfc_0-2_shabab_al_ahli_dubai.html

Final - Preview: Iraq v Oman

Tue, 17 Jan, 2023

Final - Preview: Iraq v Oman

Basra: The 25th Gulf Cup comes full circle as Iraq look to lift their first title since 1988 when they face two-time winners Oman in the final on home soil on Thursday, the same fixture that started the tournament two weeks ago.

The Lions of Mesopotamia reached the final after defeating reigning AFC Asian Cup™ champions Qatar 2-1 in Monday’s semi-final at the Basra International Stadium, venue of the upcoming final. Ibrahim Bayesh’s close-range finish was cancelled out by Amro Sirag’s half-volley before Ayman Hussein bagged his third goal of the tournament to secure Iraq’s place in the final.
 
In turn, Oman left it late to defeat reigning champions Bahrain 1-0 thanks to a Jameel Al Yahmadi wonder goal. The midfielder pounced on a loose ball to strike from 25 yards out into the top corner, sending Branko Ivankovic’s men into their second final in six years.

Qatar 2022 disappointment fuelling Mitoma's improvement

Wed, 18 Jan, 2023

Qatar 2022 disappointment fuelling Mitoma's improvement

Brighton and Hove: Japan’s Kaoru Mitoma is establishing himself as one of Asian football’s leading exports to Europe with a standout season in the English Premier League with Brighton & Hove Albion. 

In the aftermath of Japan’s penalty shootout exit from the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Mitoma has been true to his word.
 
The Brighton & Hove Albion winger was left heartbroken when his spotkick was saved by goalkeeper Dominic Livakovic as Croatia ended the Samurai Blue’s dreams of a first-ever quarter-final appearance.

Japan's Iwabuchi joins Spurs on loan

Thu, 19 Jan, 2023

Japan's Iwabuchi joins Spurs on loan

London: Japan international Mana Iwabuchi has signed for Tottenham Hotspur Women on loan from Arsenal for the remainder of the season.

A FIFA Women's World Cup winner in 2011, the midfielder will wear the number 20 shirt.

Barrow, Kim leave Jeonbuk

Wed, 18 Jan, 2023

Barrow, Kim leave Jeonbuk

Jeonju: Two-time AFC Champions League™ winners Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors have announced the departure of Kim Bo-kyung and Modou Barrow ahead of the start of the new K1 League season.

Kim, who represented Korea Republic at international level on 38 occasions, was a member of the Jeonbuk squad that won the second of the club’s two continental titles in 2016 during the first of his two spells with the set-up. 

Norwegian defender Hoibraten joins Urawa

Wed, 18 Jan, 2023

Norwegian defender Hoibraten joins Urawa

Tokyo: Norwegian defender Marius Hoibraten will join AFC Champions League™ 2022 finalists Urawa Red Diamonds pending the completion of a medical, the Japanese club announced on Tuesday.

The 27-year-old will sign for the two-time AFC Champions League winners from Bodo/Glimt, where he won the Norwegian league title in 2020 and 2021.

Thailand’s Nild announces retirement

Tue, 17 Jan, 2023

Thailand’s Nild announces retirement

San Francisco: Thailand women's national team forward Miranda Nild has announced her retirement from professional football.

The 25-year-old – also known as a Suchawadee Nildhamrong – called time on her career having played 20 international matches for the Thailand national team as well as club football in America and Europe.