Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Male: The Maldives are perhaps known globally for stunning coastal waters and luxury escapes. In the football realm, however, the island nation, with a population of less than half a million, remains an enigmatic force on the international stage.
It therefore came as a surprise when the South Asians were suddenly thrust into the global spotlight in 2013, when ace striker Ali Ashfaq was named the 'World's 2nd Best Top Goal Scorer' of the year by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS).
With only goals in international and major continental club competitions taken into consideration, Ashfaq, with 23 such goals that year, trailed global leader Cristiano Ronaldo by just two, but was five goals clear of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and eight clear of Lionel Messi.
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/ali_ashqaf-afc_challenge_cup_2012_-_maldives_vs_nepal.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/preliminary_joint_qualification_2022_-_maldives_vs_guam_1.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/video/md6_-_group_a_maldives_vs_guam.html
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Tehran: National team head coach Dragan Skocic has not paused since returning to the Islamic Republic of Iran.
With Team Melli facing a huge challenge in the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023, Skocic has been busy scouting players ahead of Iran resuming their Group C campaign in October.
Back-to-back defeats to Bahrain and Iraq mean Iran have to win their remaining four matches to advance to the third round of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Qualifiers and Skocic is determined to have the best players available.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Doha: There is no doubt that the conflict which has plagued Yemen since 2015 overshadows everything in this country overlooking the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. But despite how bleak things have been during this crisis, the improved results enjoyed by the Yemeni national team over the last two years have given the people some glimmer of hope.
On March 27, 2018, Yemen made history when they qualified for UAE 2019 for what was their maiden appearance (as a unified nation) at the AFC Asian Cup. And while they suffered three straight group-stage defeats at the hands of IR Iran, Iraq and Vietnam, their appearance at the Finals provided a solid foundation to build on.
The West Asian side then made a strong start to the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023. They drew 2-2 with Singapore in Kallang and took a point from Asian heavyweights Saudi Arabia, before recording their first win in Group D with a Matchday 5 triumph over Palestine.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
London: Son Heung-min made it a double-quadruple as he collected all four end-of-season awards for the second year in a row following Tottenham Hotspur's win over Leicester on Sunday.
The Korea Republic international star predictably collected the Hotspur Goal of the Season prize for his dazzling solo strike at home to Burnley in the Premier League back in December.
And he added to that by once again picking up the trophies for One Hotspur Player of the Season, One Hotspur Juniors' Player of the Season and Official Supporters’ Clubs’ Player of the Season, just like he did at the end of the last campaign.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: With the 2020 AFC Champions League on hiatus until September, the-AFC.com continues its series of articles to determine your best sides from the last four editions of the Continental competition.
Last week we presented the candidates for the 2018 edition's best goalkeeper, and now it's time to turn our attention to defenders.
So, here are the 14 players in contention for the four places in the backline. Review the nominees and then choose your favourite defenders for this all-star XI in the respective polls.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Saeed Al Owairan's brilliant effort for Saudi Arabia against Belgium in the 1994 edition has been voted as the greatest Asian goal at the FIFA World Cup.
Owairan's superb effort was picked as the best from a list of 20 goals the-AFC.com shortlisted in polls which were conducted over the last three weeks.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: It's more goals galore from the AFC Cup and this week the-AFC.com turns its focus to a handful of quick-witted touches that have bamboozled opposition defences and goalkeepers.
From a delightful tournament-winning strike in Qarshi to impudent efforts in Al-Ram, Arbil, Dhaka and Cibinong, our latest edition of the '5 of the Best' really does cover the length and breadth of the Continent. So enjoy the selection and don't forget to vote for your favourite in the poll below!
Also take a look at past editions that feature acrobatic goals, solo goals, volleys, long-range screamers, free-kicks, last-minute winners and curlers.