2022 AFC Cup: Games to Watch in the Group Stage

Thu, 20 Jan, 2022

2022 AFC Cup: Games to Watch in the Group Stage

Kuala Lumpur: Newcomers, familiar foes and regional derbies will light up the 2022 AFC Cup group stage getting underway in May with 39 teams competing across nine groups.

Following the conclusion of the draw, the-AFC.com looks at six intriguing encounters to lookout for during the group stage.

2022 AFC Champions League: Games to Watch in the Group Stage

Tue, 18 Jan, 2022

2022 AFC Champions League: Games to Watch in the Group Stage

Kuala Lumpur: The 2022 AFC Champions League draw conducted on Monday has thrown Asian football aficionados a plethora of tasty encounters to look for across the 10 groups of the competition, with the group stage kicking off in April. 

The six key encounters highlighted by the-AFC.com feature some of the biggest names in Asian football, both on the pitch and in the dugouts, as well as a history of clashes in the competition making those games some of the most exciting to look forward to between now and the start of the group stage. 

Preview - Group A: India v IR Iran

Thu, 20 Jan, 2022

Preview - Group A: India v IR Iran

Navi Mumbai: Thomas Dennerby and his India charges will be eyeing nothing less than victory against Islamic Republic of Iran in their 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ Group A tie at the D.Y. Patil Stadium on Thursday. 

Dennerby’s India will kick start their campaign against debutantes IR Iran and also have Chinese Taipei and China PR for company in Group A with the top two teams from each of the three groups - along with the two best third placed teams - advancing to the quarter-finals.

Preview - Group A: China PR v Chinese Taipei

Thu, 20 Jan, 2022

Preview - Group A: China PR v Chinese Taipei

Mumbai: Head coach Shui Qingxia didn’t hold back when assessing China PR’s ambitions for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™, declaring a record extending ninth continental title is not beyond their reach.

The Steel Roses will begin their Group A campaign against Chinese Taipei at Mumbai Football Arena on Thursday.

Annis: Philippines eager to lay down early marker

Thu, 20 Jan, 2022

Annis: Philippines eager to lay down early marker

Navi Mumbai: Philippines captain Tahnai Annis and her teammates are eyeing a positive start to their AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ Group B campaign when they face familiar foes Thailand on Friday.

Alen Stajcic’s charges will face a stern test in Group B with former winners Australia and Indonesia also in the fray.

The top two teams from each of the three groups - along with the two best third placed sides - will advance to the quarter-finals.

Australia showdown 33 years in the making, says Indonesia’s Ade Mustikiana

Thu, 20 Jan, 2022

Australia showdown 33 years in the making, says Indonesia’s Ade Mustikiana

Mumbai: Australia are hot favourites to make a successful start to their AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ campaign on Friday, but their opponents will be fuelled by three decades in the wilderness, according to Indonesia captain Ade Mustikiana Oktafiani. 

On paper, at least, it is the biggest mismatch at the tournament. 

While the world number 11 Matildas arrived in India having reached the final in four of the last five AFC Women’s Asian Cups, not one player from the 94th-ranked Indonesia had been born when they were last seen at the continental Finals back in 1989. 

Intamee: Thailand’s target is to reach the quarter-finals

Thu, 20 Jan, 2022

Intamee: Thailand’s target is to reach the quarter-finals

Navi Mumbai: Silawan Intamee is confident Thailand can perform at their best ahead of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ Group B opener against Southeast Asian rivals the Philippines on Friday.

Apart from the Philippines, Miyo Okamoto's charges will also have Australia and Indonesia for company in Group B, with the top two teams from each of the three groups - along with the two best third placed sides - advancing to the quarter-finals.