ASEAN Zonal Final - Preview: Macarthur FC (AUS) v Central Coast Mariners (AUS)

Thu, 22 Feb, 2024

ASEAN Zonal Final - Preview: Macarthur FC (AUS) v Central Coast Mariners (AUS)

Sydney: It will be a meeting between two Australian sides in good form when Macarthur FC and Central Coast Mariners face off in the AFC Cup™ 2023/24 ASEAN Zonal final on Thursday.

Both sides have not only flown the Australian flag proudly in the AFC Cup but are also enjoying good seasons in the A League Men, with defending champions Mariners second in the standings and Macarthur fourth and the domestic rivals will be equally fired up to advance to the Inter-Zone semi-finals, where India's Odisha FC await. 

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_cup/video/afccup_-_semi-final_|_asean_zone_|_macarthur_fc_aus_3_-_0_sabah_fc_mas_1.html

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_cup/video/afccup_-_semi-final_|_asean_zone_|_c_coast_mariners_aus_4_-_0_phnom_penh_c_fc_cam_2.html

ASEAN Zonal Final: Players to Watch

Tue, 20 Feb, 2024

ASEAN Zonal Final: Players to Watch

Sydney: The final of the AFC Cup™ 2023/24 ASEAN Zone is fast approaching, with Macarthur FC set to take on Australian rivals Central Coast Mariners at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on Thursday. 

The two sides became the first from Australia to appear in the AFC Cup when they began the group stage back in September and, having taken the tournament by storm, they now face off to see who will emerge as the ASEAN champions and advance to the next phase of the continental competition. 
 
Ahead of the first-ever all-A-League clash in an AFC club competition, the-AFC.com picks out three players from each side who have the potential to light up the game. 

ASEAN Zonal Final: 3 Classic Match-ups

Mon, 19 Feb, 2024

ASEAN Zonal Final: 3 Classic Match-ups

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Cup™ 2023/24 saw Australian teams enter for the first time and they have excelled with Central Coast Mariners and Macarthur FC set to contest in the ASEAN Zonal final on Thursday with a place in the Inter-Zone semi-finals on the line. 

It was back in 2017 when the Zonal format was introduced, intensifying the regional rivalry with clubs from Southeast Asia needing to progress from the group stage and then win two knockout round ties to be crowned ASEAN champions before advancing to the next phase of the continental tournament. 
 
With the fifth ASEAN Zonal final just days away, the-AFC.com looks back at some of the most memorable ties over the years.

Al Ahed edge Al Kahrabaa on penalties to advance

Wed, 21 Feb, 2024

Al Ahed edge Al Kahrabaa on penalties to advance

Basra: Al Ahed beat Al Kahrabaa 4-2 on penalties after the two sides played out a 1-1 aggregate draw in their AFC Cup™ 2023/24 West Zonal semi-final, following Al Ahed’s 1-0 win in the second leg at the Basra International Stadium on Tuesday.

The win takes 2019 AFC Cup winners Al Ahed of Lebanon into a West Zonal final against Al Nahda of Oman in April.

Al Nahda come from behind to defeat Al Riffa

Tue, 20 Feb, 2024

Al Nahda come from behind to defeat Al Riffa

Muscat: Oman's Al Nahda beat Bahrain's Al Riffa 3-1 after extra-time on Monday to wrap up a 4-2 aggregate victory in the AFC Cup™ 2023/24 West Zonal Semi-final at the Sultan Qaboos Sport Complex.

They will face either Iraq's Al Kahrabaa Club or Al Ahed FC of Lebanon in the two-leg West Zonal final in April. 

Petrescu applauds Jeonbuk’s willpower

Wed, 21 Feb, 2024

Petrescu applauds Jeonbuk’s willpower

Pohang: Head coach Dan Petrescu praised Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors for showing composure in their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Round of 16 second leg draw with fellow K League 1 side Pohang Steelers on Tuesday.

Jeonbuk came from behind to force the 1-1 draw, with the result taking the two-time AFC Champions League winners through to the quarter-finals 3-1 on aggregate.
 
Jeonbuk didn't enjoy the brightest of starts at the Pohang Steel Yard, conceding an early goal to Park Chan-yong in the 12th minute, with Pohang then coming at them with a vengeance.  However, Jeong Tae-wook’s late headed goal meant Petrescu's advanced to the last eight, where they will face either compatriots Ulsan Hyundai or Japan’s Ventforet Kofu.

Choi sets high target for Shandong after ousting Frontale

Wed, 21 Feb, 2024

Choi sets high target for Shandong after ousting Frontale

Kawasaki: Head coach Choi Kang-hee is hopeful that Shandong Taishan’s stunning AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Round of 16 win against Kawasaki Frontale can act as a springboard for the Chinese Super League side to go the distance.

Shandong erased a 3-2 first leg defeat with a spectacular 4-2 victory at Kawasaki Todoroki Stadium on Tuesday to advance to the quarter-final stage for the third time with the Korean tactician saying he wants his team to aim higher, having never featured in the semi-finals of the continental showpiece. 

Preview - R16 2nd Leg: Al Ittihad FC (KSA) 0 v 0 Navbahor (UZB)

Fri, 23 Feb, 2024

Preview - R16 2nd Leg: Al Ittihad FC (KSA) 0 v 0 Navbahor (UZB)

Jeddah: Al Ittihad FC will be determined to navigate past Navbahor in their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Round of 16 second leg match on Thursday as the two-time winners aim to reach their first quarter-finals since 2014.

The return leg is finely poised after the first leg ended in a goalless stalemate but reigning Saudi Pro League champions Al Ittihad will be counting on their record of not having lost to clubs from Uzbekistan in six previous meetings at home to advance at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.

Preview - R16 2nd Leg: Al Hilal SFC (KSA) 3 v 1 Sepahan FC (IRN)

Fri, 23 Feb, 2024

Preview - R16 2nd Leg: Al Hilal SFC (KSA) 3 v 1 Sepahan FC (IRN)

Riyadh: Al Hilal SFC will not take Sepahan FC lightly in their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Round of 16 return leg at the Kingdom Arena on Thursday.

Sepahan squandered a first half lead in the first leg, with four-time Asian champions Al Hilal eventually emerging 3-1 winners, courtesy of late goals from Aleksandar Mitrovic and Abdullah Al Hamddan after Malcom had cancelled out Ramin Rezaeian’s opener.

Nepal, Palestine impress in openers

Wed, 21 Feb, 2024

Nepal, Palestine impress in openers

Jeddah: Nepal and Palestine set the early pace in Group B of the West Asian Football Federation Women's Championship 2024 with resounding wins on Tuesday.

Nepal defeated Syria 4-1 while Palestine cruised 3-0 past Iraq.

Japan surge into knockout stage, Oman bid farewell

Wed, 21 Feb, 2024

Japan surge into knockout stage, Oman bid farewell

Dubai: Japan fought back twice from two goals down to defeat Senegal 6-4 in an exciting Group C tie to book their spot in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup UAE 2024 Dubai quarter-finals on Tuesday.

Oman, however, bid farewell to the tournament after suffering a late 3-2 defeat to Portugal in their concluding Group D tie.