Semi-finalists confirmed

Wed, 13 Mar, 2024

Semi-finalists confirmed

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 is down to four teams following the conclusion of the quarter-finals on Wednesday.

Yokohama F. Marinos were the final side to book their last four spot after defeating Shandong Taishan FC 1-0, with the Japanese side advancing 3-1 on aggregate.

F. Marinos seal historic berth

Wed, 13 Mar, 2024

F. Marinos seal historic berth

Yokohama: Ten-man Yokohama F Marinos advanced to the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League™ for the first time in the club’s history as Anderson Lopes’ strike earned Harry Kewell’s team a 1-0 win over Shandong Taishan on Wednesday to complete a 3-1 aggregate win.

Lopes struck in the 75th minute with Marinos having played most of the second half shorthanded following Katsuya Nagato’s sending off two minutes after the interval for a second bookable offence.
 
The win means Marinos will play two-time champions Ulsan Hyundai from Korea Republic next month for a place in May’s final against either Al Hilal SFC of Saudi Arabia or United Arab Emirates' Al Ain.

Jesus wants record-breaking Al Hilal to continue pushing

Wed, 13 Mar, 2024

Jesus wants record-breaking Al Hilal to continue pushing

Jeddah: Head coach Jorge Jesus wants his team to go all the way after Al Hilal SFC set a new world record of 28 wins following their 2-0 defeat of Al Ittihad in the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 quarter-finals on Tuesday.

It was Al Hilal's 28th consecutive victory, surpassing the previous recognised record of 27 straight wins set by The New Saints in the 2016-17 season, as the four-time Asian champions confirmed a semi-final against Al Ain FC of the United Arab Emirates. 

Hong praises Ulsan’s maturity in win over Jeonbuk

Wed, 13 Mar, 2024

Hong praises Ulsan’s maturity in win over Jeonbuk

Ulsan: Head coach Hong Myung-bo expressed gratitude to his Ulsan Hyundai FC players for showing maturity in their 1-0 win over K League 1 rivals Jeonbuk Hyundai in the second leg of their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 quarter-final at Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium on Tuesday.

The win booked Ulsan book their place in the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League for the third time in four editions, with the two sides having played to a 1-1 draw in the first leg.

Crespo: Al Ain earned semi-final spot

Tue, 12 Mar, 2024

Crespo: Al Ain earned semi-final spot

Riyadh: Hernan Crespo said his Al Ain side fully deserved to advance to the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 semi-finals after their thrilling win over Al Nassr on Monday.

The UAE side led 3-0 on aggregate at one point of the pulsating quarter-final, only for Al Nassr to draw level and force the game to an additional 30 minutes.
 
Sultan Al Shamsi gave Al Ain the lead again in the 103rd minute, but Cristiano Ronaldo's strike from the penalty spot forced the tie to a shootout, with Al Ain ultimately prevailing 3-1.

Abdysh-Ata advance in style

Wed, 13 Mar, 2024

Abdysh-Ata advance in style

Kaohsiung: FK Abdysh-Ata Kant confirmed their place in the Inter-Zone final of the AFC Cup™ 2023/24 after coming back from behind to beat Taichung Futuro FC 3-1 in the second leg of their Inter-Zone semi-final on Wednesday.

After suffering a 5-0 defeat to Abdysh-Ata in the first leg in Bishkek, Benchy Estama gave hosts Taichung a glimmer of hope when he pulled them into the lead two minutes into the return leg at Nanzih Football Stadium. 
 
But second half goals from Farkhat Musabekov, Magamed Uzdenov and Nurlanbek Sarykbaev sealed an 8-1 aggregate win for the Kyrgyz Republic side and sent them through to the next stage where they will face either Australia’s Central Coast Mariners or Odisha FC of India. 

Preview - Inter-Zone SF 2nd Leg: Odisha FC (IND) 0 v 4 Central Coast Mariners (AUS)

Thu, 14 Mar, 2024

Preview - Inter-Zone SF 2nd Leg: Odisha FC (IND) 0 v 4 Central Coast Mariners (AUS)

Bhubaneswar: Odisha FC still believe despite facing a four-goal deficit going into their AFC Cup™ 2023/24 Inter-Zone semi-final second leg on Thursday.

Central Coast Mariners were at their best in last week's first leg but Odisha will be counting on home ground advantage to turn things around.

Video Support System set to debut at AFC Futsal Asian Cup™ Thailand 2024

Wed, 13 Mar, 2024

Video Support System set to debut at AFC Futsal Asian Cup™ Thailand 2024

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) will mark a significant milestone in its quest to uphold the highest standards of officiating when it introduces the Video Support (VS) system at the AFC Futsal Asian Cup™ Thailand 2024, set to take place from April 17 to 28.

In a bid to ensure that Asian referees are well-versed in the latest technological advancements in officiating, the Confederation conducted the AFC Elite Futsal Referees Seminar in 2023, with the specific intention of familiarizing its match officials with innovations such as the VS system, underscoring the AFC's determination to provide tailor-made support to its match officials.