Escobar, Paulle strengthen Persija Jakarta

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Escobar, Paulle strengthen Persija Jakarta

Kuala Lumpur: Persija Jakarta have strengthened their ranks for the 2019 AFC Cup with the signings of striker Silvio Escobar and defender Stevan Paulle.

Paraguayan Escobar, who was previously with Perseru Serui, has signed a season-long contract with the Indonesian champions.

He is a direct replacement for Marko Simic and Persija will be counting on him to deliver goals when they kick-off their 2019 AFC Cup Group G campaign against Becamex Binh Duong at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on Tuesday.

"Persija's quality attracted me. They have a very good team and I will give my best," said Escobar, 32.

Matchday One: ASEAN Zone Preview

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Matchday One: ASEAN Zone Preview

Kuala Lumpur: The group stage of the AFC Cup will get underway in the ASEAN Zone on Tuesday and Wednesday with the 12 sides in Groups F to H opening their campaigns. 

Seven Southeast Asian countries will be represented, with the ASEAN Zonal champions from the past two years – Singapore’s Home United and Ceres Negros of the Philippines – among the contenders looking for continental glory.

Matchday One: West Zone Preview

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Matchday One: West Zone Preview

Kuala Lumpur: The 2019 AFC Cup will kick off at the beginning of the week with the 12 sides in the West Zone taking to the field on Monday and Tuesday. 

Teams from seven countries will compete in Groups A to C, with a quartet of former AFC Cup winners among the main draws of what promises an enthralling round of fixtures.

Ones to watch: ASEAN Zone

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Ones to watch: ASEAN Zone

Kuala Lumpur: The group stage of the 2019 AFC Cup is set to kick off at the beginning of the week with the 12 teams in the ASEAN Zone taking to the field on Tuesday and Wednesday. 

Plenty of talent will be on display, with prolific goal-getters and midfield maestros among the main draws. Ahead of the matches, the-AFC.com has picked out six players to look out for.

Ones to watch: West Asia Zone

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Ones to watch: West Asia Zone

Kuala Lumpur: The 2019 AFC Cup Group Stage gets underway with the West Zone kicking off the action on Monday. And, for the first time in three years, a new champion will be crowned with Air Force Club not appearing at this year's edition.

In the absence of the three-time champions and their two-time AFC Cup MVP striker Hammadi Ahmed, here are six stars from the West Zone who could lead their sides to continental glory this year.

Some have a glorious AFC Cup history while others will be making their debut in the competition this year, but all will surely be bringing their magic to pitches across the continent over the next few months.

Hojeij eyes title challenge

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Hojeij eyes title challenge

Amman: Nejmeh SC Coach Moussa Hojeij believes his side has what it takes to compete for the 2019 AFC Cup title.

Lebanese Premier League’s runners-up Nejmeh get their 2019 AFC Cup campaign underway in Amman where they face Jordanian champions Al Wehdat in Group A on Monday.

Marañón: Missing last year's Zonal Final gave me sleepless nights 

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Marañón: Missing last year's Zonal Final gave me sleepless nights 

Bacolod: Ceres Negros forward Bienvenido Marañón is looking to overcome last year's AFC Cup ASEAN Zonal final heartbreak with a successful 2019 campaign ahead of their Group G opener against Shan United on Tuesday.

Having enjoyed a third prolific AFC Cup run in 2018, Spanish striker Marañón's Continental adventure was to end on a sour note after a two-match suspension ruled him out of the ASEAN Zonal final.

Nevertheless, the 32-year-old is back for a fourth appearance at the Continental tournament and spoke exclusively to the-AFC.com ahead of this year's competition.