Preliminary: Lee Man (HKG) 5-1 Bali United FC (IDN)

Thu, 17 Aug, 2023

Preliminary: Lee Man (HKG) 5-1 Bali United FC (IDN)

Hong Kong: Lee Man will face defending champions Urawa Red Diamonds in the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Playoffs next week with a place in the Group Stage draw at stake after the Hong Kong Premier League runners-up handed Bali United a 5-1 defeat at Hong Kong Stadium on Tuesday.

Mitchel Paulissen scored twice while Gil Martins, Everton Camargo and Jose Angel were also on the scoresheet as Tsang Chiu Tat’s side cruised through to the next round, where they will face the might of the three-time champions at Saitama Stadium.

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Chu: Superior fitness powered Haiphong past Hong Kong Rangers

Wed, 16 Aug, 2023

Chu: Superior fitness powered Haiphong past Hong Kong Rangers

Hong Kong: Haiphong FC head coach Chu Dinh Nghiem felt his team’s superior fitness was the key to securing their place in next week’s AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 playoff against Incheon United after the V.League 1 side handed Hong Kong Rangers a 4-1 defeat in extra-time on Tuesday.

The Vietnamese needed a late equaliser from Nguyen Tuan Anh to take the game into 30 minutes of extra-time at Mongkok Stadium after Yumemi Kanda had given Rangers the lead, but Yuri Mamute’s brace either side of a header from Martin Lo meant Haiphong advanced.

Patient Shabab Al Ahli please Nikolic

Wed, 16 Aug, 2023

Patient Shabab Al Ahli please Nikolic

Dubai: Shabab Al Ahli Dubai head coach Marko Nikolic praised the patience of his players after a 3-0 win over Al Wehdat SC in their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 preliminary round tie on Tuesday.

After a goalless first half, Shabab Al Ahli found their scoring boots with Aziz Ganiyev, Renan and Mu'nas Dabbur finding the back on the net to set up an enticing clash against Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr in the playoff next Tuesday. 

Olaroiu: Sharjah will be ready for Tractor

Wed, 16 Aug, 2023

Olaroiu: Sharjah will be ready for Tractor

Sharjah: Head coach Cosmin Olaroiu is looking forward to the AFC Champions League 2023/24 playoffs after Sharjah FC defeated Bashundhara Kings of Bangladesh 2-0 in their preliminary tie on Tuesday.

Brazilian Luanzinho netted both goals as UAE Pro League side Sharjah set up a meeting with Tractor FC of Islamic Republic of Iran next Tuesday for a spot in the group stage. 

Preliminary Stage 2: Yangon United FC (MYA) 2-1 DPMM FC (BRU)

Wed, 23 Aug, 2023

Preliminary Stage 2: Yangon United FC (MYA) 2-1 DPMM FC (BRU)

Yangon: Influential midfielder Zaw Win Thein emerged the hero for Myanmar's Yangon United as they came from behind to secure a 2-1 win over DPMM FC of Brunei Darussalam at Thuwunna Stadium on Wednesday in a Preliminary Round 2 match of the 2023/24 AFC Cup™.

Win Thein's strike in the dying minutes of the game sealed Yangon the win against the 2022 Brunei FA Cup champions with the result sending The Lions through to a playoff against Indonesia's PSM Makassar next week.

Preliminary Stage 2: Abahani Dhaka Limited (BAN) 2-1 Club Eagles (MDV)

Wed, 16 Aug, 2023

Preliminary Stage 2: Abahani Dhaka Limited (BAN) 2-1 Club Eagles (MDV)

Sylhet: Danilo Augusto's late strike sealed Abahani Dhaka Limited of Bangladesh a 2-1 win over Maldives' Club Eagles in their AFC Cup™ 2023/24 Preliminary Stage 2 tie at the Sylhet District Stadium on Wednesday. 

The win takes Abahani Dhaka to a playoff against either India's Mohun Bagan Super Giant or Machhindra FC of Nepal next week for a place in the South Zone group stage. 

Preliminary Stage 2: Phnom Penh Crown FC (CAM) 3-0 Young Elephants FC (LAO)

Wed, 16 Aug, 2023

Preliminary Stage 2: Phnom Penh Crown FC (CAM) 3-0 Young Elephants FC (LAO)

Phnom Penh: Cambodia's Phnom Penh Crown FC turned on the power in the second half to defeat Young Elephants FC of Laos 3-0 to advance to the AFC Cup™ 2023/24 Playoffs on Wednesday. 

The win takes Phnom Penh into a showdown with Singapore's Tampines Rovers next week for a place in the group stage. 

England break Australian hearts

Wed, 16 Aug, 2023

England break Australian hearts

Sydney: England defeated co-hosts Australia 3-1 at Stadium Australia to book their place in the final of the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 on Wednesday.

The result sets up a thrilling grand finale at the same ground between England and Spain who had beaten Sweden 2-1 in the first semi-final on Tuesday, while Australia will look to cap-off their impressive home campaign with a bronze medal.

Vilda: Carmona's work of art the defining factor for Spain

Wed, 16 Aug, 2023

Vilda: Carmona's work of art the defining factor for Spain

Auckland: Defender Olga Carmona conjured up "a work of art" to send Spain into their first FIFA Women's World Cup final on Tuesday and a clash with Australia or England.

The skipper capped a frenetic ending to the semi-final at Eden Park in Auckland with a rocket to give Spain a thrilling 2-1 victory over Sweden.
 
Proceedings seemed to be meandering towards extra time before suddenly bursting to life when substitute Salma Paralluelo put Spain ahead with nine minutes left.
 
Rebecka Blomqvist equalised in the 88th minute only for full-back Carmona to score with a superb shot in off the underside of the crossbar from the edge of the box 60 seconds later.

Europe Wrap: Kubo scores in La Liga opener; Lee makes PSG debut

Wed, 16 Aug, 2023

Europe Wrap: Kubo scores in La Liga opener; Lee makes PSG debut

Kuala Lumpur: Takefusa Kubo began from where he left off last season in Spain as the Japan international scored in Real Sociedad's 1-1 draw against Girona in San Sebastian on Saturday during the opening weekend of the 2023-24 La Liga season.

In France, Korea Republic attacking midfielder Lee Kang-in made his Ligue 1 debut for Paris Saint-Germain in a goalless draw against FC Lorient after his move from Spain while his compatriot Kim Min-jae made his Bayern Munich bow as a substitute during the DFL-Supercup tie in Germany.
 
Australian manager Ange Postecoglou took charge of Tottenham Hotspur in England’s Premier League for the first time, Japanese star Kanya Fujimoto bagged a double in Portugal and Iraq’s Amir Al Ammari was on target in Sweden, so join the-AFC.com as we find out how the Asian stars performed in Europe over the past week.