AFC Cup™ 2022: Inter-Zone and West Zone Finals – Stats and Facts

Thu, 06 Oct, 2022

AFC Cup™ 2022: Inter-Zone and West Zone Finals – Stats and Facts

Kuala Lumpur: The two finalists in the AFC Cup™ 2022 have been confirmed after Oman’s Al Seeb Club defeated Al Riffa of Bahrain in the West Zone final on Tuesday and Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur City FC overcame PFC Sogdiana of Uzbekistan on Wednesday.

The match-up means for the first time in the competition’s history, West Asia will face ASEAN in the showpiece event, while it’s only the second time a club from Southeast Asia has reached the grand finale. 

As the sides begin their preparations for the continental showdown in Kuala Lumpur on October 22, the-AFC.com looks at some of the standout statistics following the midweek games.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_cup/video/afccup2022_-_izf_|_pfc_sogdiana_uzb_03-50_kuala_lumpur_city_fc_mas.html

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https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_cup/video/afccup2022_-_zf_west_|_al_seeb_club_oma_4_-_0_al_riffa_bhr.html

Reaching final an unbelievable success for KL City, says Hodak

Thu, 06 Oct, 2022

Reaching final an unbelievable success for KL City, says Hodak

Jizzakh: Kuala Lumpur City FC head coach Bojan Hodak described his side’s victory over PFC Sogdiana to reach the AFC Cup™ 2022 final as an unbelievable success for the club and Malaysian football.

KL City completed an incredible run to the final on their continental debut, becoming only the second Malaysian side to reach an AFC Cup final after Johor Darul Ta’zim who won the title in 2015, but Hodak highlighted a key difference between KL City’s success and that of his former employers.

Jaber applauds cumulative work as Al Seeb close in on title

Wed, 05 Oct, 2022

Jaber applauds cumulative work as Al Seeb close in on title

Muscat: Al Seeb Club’s historic progress to the AFC Cup™ 2022 final is a watershed moment, according to head coach Rasheed Jaber who paid tribute to his predecessors following the club’s 4-0 victory over Al Riffa in the West Zone final on Tuesday.

Jaber’s men became the first-ever Omani side to reach the final, and did so in style, putting Bahrain’s Al Riffa to the sword with an emphatic victory.

At a packed Seeb Sports Complex, the home side missed chances right, left and centre before they could finally open the scoring two minutes into the second half through Abdulaziz Al Muqbali’s tap-in. 

When it rained, it poured for Al Seeb as substitutes Ahmed Al Siyabi and Cosmos Dauda got on the scoresheet either side of Salah Al Yahaei’s cool finish through the goalkeeper’s legs in what proved to be a one-sided second half.

Preview - Final: IR Iran v Japan

Fri, 07 Oct, 2022

Preview - Final: IR Iran v Japan

Kuwait City: Islamic Republic of Iran are confident of defending their AFC Futsal Asian Cup™ title when they go up against perennial rivals Japan in the final on Saturday. 

It will be the eighth meeting between the two teams in the final, and a repeat of the 2018 edition where Iran emerged 4-0 winners. 

The rematch will also be a reunion between Iran head coach Vahid Shamsaee and his Japan counterpart Kenichiro Kogure, as both were foes as players. 

Preview - Third Place Playoff: Thailand v Uzbekistan

Fri, 07 Oct, 2022

Preview - Third Place Playoff: Thailand v Uzbekistan

Kuwait City: Thailand and Uzbekistan will not be lacking motivation with both seeking to end their AFC Futsal Asian Cup™ Kuwait 2022 campaigns on a high note in the third-place playoff on Saturday. 

Thailand lost 5-0 to defending champions Islamic Republic of Iran in the semi-finals while Uzbekistan were defeated 2-1 by a resurgent Japan on Thursday.

#AFCU17 Qualifiers - MD4 Results & Reports

Sat, 08 Oct, 2022

#AFCU17 Qualifiers - MD4 Results & Reports

Kuala Lumpur: Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan and Uzbekistan booked their spots in the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ 2023 Finals as Matchday Four of the Qualifiers concluded on Friday. 

Japan defeated Syria 3-0 to secure an unassailable lead of nine points in Group A while Iran confirmed the Group I top spot with a 4-0 win over Kyrgyz Republic. Uzbekistan were the first team to book their place in the Finals, defeating Korea Republic 3-2 in a thrilling contest to finish top of Group J. 

Thirteen more places are up for grabs, with the 10 group winners and six best runners-up to qualify for the Finals, setting the stage for an exciting Matchday Five on Sunday. Stay updated on the results and reports with the-AFC.com.