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 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. 

Preview - West Zonal SF 2nd Leg: Al Kahrabaa Club (IRQ) 1 v 0 Al Ahed FC (LBN)

Wed, 21 Feb, 2024

Preview - West Zonal SF 2nd Leg: Al Kahrabaa Club (IRQ) 1 v 0 Al Ahed FC (LBN)

Basra: Al Kahrabaa Club will not hold back when they host Al Ahed FC in the return leg of their AFC Cup™ 2023/24 West Zonal semi-final on Tuesday. 

The Iraqi side returned with a 1-0 victory from the first leg against an Al Ahed side seeking to win the AFC Cup for the second time.

Preview - R16 2nd Leg: Kawasaki Frontale (JPN) 3 v 2 Shandong Taishan FC (CHN)

Mon, 19 Feb, 2024

Preview - R16 2nd Leg: Kawasaki Frontale (JPN) 3 v 2 Shandong Taishan FC (CHN)

Kawasaki: Kawasaki Frontale will be determined to start on the front foot when they host Shanodng Taishan in the second leg of their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 tie on Tuesday.

Kawasaki looked to be cruising to a resounding win in last week's first leg but a resilient Shandong hit back as the Japanese side had to be satisfied with a 3-2 win. 

Preview - R16 2nd Leg: Pohang Steelers (KOR) 0 v 2 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC (Kor)

Tue, 20 Feb, 2024

Preview - R16 2nd Leg: Pohang Steelers (KOR) 0 v 2 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC (Kor)

Pohang: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors will be fired up despite holding a two-goal advantage when they play fellow Korea Republic side Pohang Steelers in their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Round of 16 second leg tie on Tuesday.

Jeonbuk are well placed to advance to the AFC Champions League quarter-finals for the 11th time since 2004 after their 2-0 win in the first leg.

IR Iran, UAE set up quarter-final clash

Tue, 20 Feb, 2024

IR Iran, UAE set up quarter-final clash

Dubai: Islamic Republic of Iran will face United Arab Emirates in the quarter-finals after both concluded their FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup UAE 2024 Dubai group campaigns with wins on Monday.

Iran came from behind to beat Tahiti 5-3 to finish top of Group B while UAE defeated Italy 3-1 on penalties after a goalless draw in their Group A tie. 
 
The hosts, however, finished second behind the European side on goal difference and will play Iran on Thursday.