Saudi Arabian FF and FFIRI matches to be played home-and-away

Mon, 04 Sep, 2023

Saudi Arabian FF and FFIRI matches to be played home-and-away

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is pleased to confirm that all matches between the national teams and clubs of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) and Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) will take place on a home-and-away basis.

The welcome development follows a groundbreaking agreement between the SAFF and FFIRI today, which has been duly communicated to the AFC.

West Asia Wrap: Al Hilal lead tight title race; Al Rayyan claim top spot

Mon, 04 Sep, 2023

West Asia Wrap: Al Hilal lead tight title race; Al Rayyan claim top spot

Riyadh: A resilient Al Hilal SFC stormed to the top of the Saudi Pro League standings after edging defending champions Al Ittihad in a seven-goal thriller, as the battle for the title heats up with four teams locked in an exciting race.

Al Rayyan continued to sizzle in the Qatar Stars League at the expense of Al Sadd SC and champions Al Duhail SC, who both dropped points leaving the door open for Leonardo Jardim’s side to lead the table.

There was also action in Kuwait and Oman so join the-AFC.com as we review the past week’s domestic action across West Asia ahead of the International break.

Test your #AFCU23 knowledge!

Fri, 01 Sep, 2023

Test your #AFCU23 knowledge!

Kuala Lumpur: The journey to reach the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Qatar 2024 begins for 42 teams on Wednesday with 15 spots up for grabs.

Over the course of a three-matchday week between September 6 to 12, 11 groups – nine of four and two of three – in the Qualifiers will each be played at a centralised venue in a single round-robin format.
 
The action promises to be thrilling and ahead of the Qualifiers kicking off, the-AFC.com invites you - the fan - to test your knowledge of the AFC U23 Asian Cup.

East Asia & ASEAN Wrap: Vissel return to top; Ulsan beaten again

Mon, 04 Sep, 2023

East Asia & ASEAN Wrap: Vissel return to top; Ulsan beaten again

Hong Kong: Vissel Kobe, with new signing Juan Mata watching from the stands, rose to the top of the standings in Japan with a 2-1 win against Kyoto Sanga displacing defending champions Yokohama F. Marinos who dropped points in a shock 2-0 defeat to strugglers Kashiwa Reysol. 

The top team in Korea Republic also fell to a defeat this week as Ulsan Hyundai’s title defence suffered a minor setback following a 2-0 defeat to third-placed Gwangju FC on Sunday which allowed Pohang Steelers, in second place, to reduce their deficit to the top to eight points.  
 
Persija Jakarta and Persib Bandung faced each other in Indonesia on Saturday, but the honours were even between the fierce rivals in a 1-1 draw while there were also matches in China PR, Thailand, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Cambodia and Mongolia, so join the-AFC.com as we review the week’s action from ASEAN and East Asia.

Former Spanish international Mata joins Vissel Kobe

Sun, 03 Sep, 2023

Former Spanish international Mata joins Vissel Kobe

Kobe: Midfielder Juan Mata, who was a member of Spain's 2010 FIFA World Cup winning squad, has signed for Japan's Vissel Kobe.

The J League side said Mata, 35, has joined them on a free transfer.  

#AFCU23 - Trip down memory lane

Sun, 03 Sep, 2023

#AFCU23 - Trip down memory lane

Kuala Lumpur: The race to reach the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Qatar 2024 kicks off on Wednesday with 42 teams bidding for the 15 available slots in the Finals.

It promises to be a thrilling affair as the teams will not only be chasing continental glory but also three automatic spots to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
 
As the sides get set for pulsating action between September 6-12, the-AFC.com takes a look at previous editions of the tournament.