Yokohama F. Marinos in the #ACL

Mon, 06 May, 2024

Yokohama F. Marinos in the #ACL

Kuala Lumpur: Yokohama F. Marinos will become the fourth Japanese side to feature in the AFC Champions League™ final when they take on Al Ain FC in the main event of the 2023/24 edition.

Three-time winners Urawa Red Diamonds, along with Gamba Osaka and Kashima Antlers – who have won the title once apiece – have all lifted the trophy meaning Yokohama will also become the fourth J1 League side to be crowned champions should they overcome their Emirati opponents.
 
With the first leg of the final to take place at Yokohama International Stadium on Saturday, the-AFC.com looks back at the Marinos’ history in the continent’s premier club competition.

#ACL Final: 5 Classic 1st Legs

Tue, 07 May, 2024

#ACL Final: 5 Classic 1st Legs

Riyadh: The Yokohama Internatinoal Stadium plays host to the AFC Champions League 2023-24™ final first leg between Yokohama F. Marinos and Al Ain, bringing to a close a two-decade long era in Asia’s top club competition.

Twenty years earlier, Al Ain were also involved in the final, and with clubs moving into the AFC Champions League Elite and AFC Champions League 2 as of next season, the-AFC.com looks back at some of the most memorable final first legs.

#ACL - Hall of Fame

Mon, 06 May, 2024

#ACL - Hall of Fame

Kuala Lumpur: Yokohama F. Marinos and Al Ain FC will battle for the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 title over the coming days, with the first leg of the final to be played on Saturday.

Both will be determined to lift the trophy in the final season of the AFC Champions League in its present format, with a new three-tier club system to be introduced from the 2024/25 season.

IR Iran fourth in inaugural FIFA Futsal Men's World Ranking

Tue, 07 May, 2024

IR Iran fourth in inaugural FIFA Futsal Men's World Ranking

Kuala Lumpur: Islamic Republic of Iran have debuted in fourth spot in the inaugural FIFA Men’s Futsal World Ranking.  

Iran’s position comes after they clinched the AFC Futsal Asian Cup™ Thailand 2024, while runners-up Thailand are ninth.

Uzbekistan are the third highest Asian side at 11th.

Japan lay early marker; Thailand vow to improve

Wed, 08 May, 2024

Japan lay early marker; Thailand vow to improve

Bali: Japan head coach Sadayoshi Shirai believes his side’s 4-0 defeat of Thailand in their first AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup™ Indonesia 2024 Group B match on Tuesday gives them a solid foundation to achieve their target of winning the competition.  

While Thailand defended well in the first half, four-time AFC U-16 Women’s Championship winners Japan increased the tempo in the second, resulting in two goals from Anon Tsuda and one apiece from Shinjo MIharu and Sakaki Manaka.

Tactical success pleases China PR’s van Egmond

Tue, 07 May, 2024

Tactical success pleases China PR’s van Egmond

Bali: Gary van Egmond was delighted to see his plans work perfectly as China PR side defeated Australia 3-0 to kickstart their AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup™ Indonesia 2024 campaign in fine fashion.

The goals came from Zhou Xinyi, Xiao Jiayi and Zhang Kecan but it was the performance of the effervescent Li Yuhan that became the cornerstone of China PR’s success with van Egmond happy to see his charges thrive.