AFC Cup™ 2022 Ones to Watch: Central Zone

Wed, 22 Jun, 2022

AFC Cup™ 2022 Ones to Watch: Central Zone

Dushanbe: The AFC Cup™ 2022 Central Zone kicks off on Friday with seven teams bidding to advance to the zonal final. 

The action promises to be top notch and the-AFC.com has selected some players to watch out for. 

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/2911195.html

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/2911199.html

AFC Cup™ 2022 Ones to Watch: East Zone

Wed, 22 Jun, 2022

AFC Cup™ 2022 Ones to Watch: East Zone

Kuala Lumpur: Three teams from the East Zone will begin their quest for AFC Cup™ 2022 glory when Group J kicks off on June 24 as Hong Kong pair Lee Man FC and Eastern SC, as well as Chinese Taipei’s Tainan City FC, battle it out for a place in the knockout rounds.

After the zonal format was launched in 2017, DPR Korea’s 4.25 SC dominated for three years, with An Il-bom and Kim Yu-song the standouts, but in 2021 it was Lee Man players such as Gil and Jonatan Acosta who starred as the Hong Kong side came within a game of the final. 

With the 2022 East Zone to begin on Friday, the-AFC.com looks at those who could shine this time round.

AFC Cup™ 2022 Ones to Watch: ASEAN Zone

Tue, 21 Jun, 2022

AFC Cup™ 2022 Ones to Watch: ASEAN Zone

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Cup™ 2022 is set to return on June 24 and, for the first time since the eventually cancelled 2020 edition, ASEAN teams will grace the continental competition with 11 sides from Southeast Asia placed in Groups G to I.

Since the zonal format was introduced five years ago, numerous stars from across the region have shone, including the likes of Bienvenido Marañón and Stephan Schröck who helped Ceres Negros of the Philippines become ASEAN champions in 2017.

Song Ui-young’s goals were key as Singapore’s Home United claimed regional bragging rights in 2018, when Marko Simic starred in a memorable run for Indonesia’s Persija Jakarta, while Nguyen Quang Hai and Nguyen Van Quyet stood out as Vietnam’s Hanoi FC were better than the rest in 2019. 

Ahead of the ASEAN Zone’s big kick-off on Friday, the-AFC.com has selected some players to watch out for.

Abdullah blames injuries for Kuwait SC's early AFC Cup elimination

Wed, 25 May, 2022

Abdullah blames injuries for Kuwait SC's early AFC Cup elimination

Seeb: Kuwait SC head coach Mohammed Abdullah bemoaned injuries and a lack of discipline as the three-time AFC Cup™ champions crashed out of the group stage after a goalless draw against Jableh SC on Tuesday.

Despite ending the group stage unbeaten, the Kuwaiti side’s five points were only enough for a second-place finish and meant they missed out on the best runners-up ticket in favour of Riffa of Bahrain who collected six points in Group B.

Kuwait SC head coach Mohammed Abdullah had to make do without the services of Kuwaiti internationals Sami Al Sanea and Ahmed Zanki who were sidelined with injuries in a cagey affair which saw both Kuwait SC and Jableh threaten on occasions but ultimately unable to find a breakthrough.

Straight from the training ground, says Bunjak after Al Seeb win Group A

Wed, 25 May, 2022

Straight from the training ground, says Bunjak after Al Seeb win Group A

Seeb: Head coach Boris Bunjak heaped praise on his Al Seeb players for their exemplary application of his training method in their 4-0 triumph over Al Ansar to win Group A of the AFC Cup™ 2022 on Tuesday.

The Omani side controlled play for extended spells and were rewarded for their attacking endeavours with an emphatic victory with defender Khalid Al Braiki bagging a brace before the break, either side of Eid Al Farsi’s second goal of the campaign. Ali Al Busaidi’s driven penalty rounded off the scoring three minutes from time.

Al Seeb’s qualification was confirmed later in the night after group rivals Kuwait SC and Jableh played out a goalless draw, both failing to match the six points achieved by Bunjak’s men on their AFC Cup debut.

Ashoor: Consistency took Al Riffa through

Wed, 25 May, 2022

Ashoor: Consistency took Al Riffa through

Kuwait City: Head coach Ali Ashoor applauded his players' consistency as Al Riffa booked their place in the AFC Cup™ 2022 West Zonal Semi-finals on Tuesday.

The Bahraini side defeated Palestine's Shabab Al Khalil 3-1 in their final Group B match to confirm progression as the best runners-up, joining group winners Arabi SC in the knockout stage.