Group C: Al Arabi end campaign with win

Wed, 13 Dec, 2023

Group C: Al Arabi end campaign with win

Kuwait City: Al Arabi edged Nejmeh SC of Lebanon 2-1 to end their AFC Cup™ 2023/24 Group C campaign on a high note at the Jaber Al Ahmad International Stadium on Tuesday.

The win, however, was not enough for the Kuwait side to advance to the knockout stage while Nejmeh ended their challenge with just a point. 

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Group H: Ventforet edge Buriram to create history

Tue, 12 Dec, 2023

Group H: Ventforet edge Buriram to create history

Buriram: Japanese second division side Ventforet Kofu created history on Tuesday by progressing to the Round of 16 of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 after they defeated Thailand’s Buriram United 3-2 in their final Group H fixture. 

Motoki Hasegawa gave Ventforet the opening goal in the 22nd minute at Buriram Stadium before Peter Utaka struck twice to give the visiting side the comfort of a 3-0 advantage at the interval. 

Substitute Arthit Boodjinda reduced the deficit for the hosts three minutes after the restart before Goran Causic’s penalty in the 55th minute made for a nervy finish, but Ventforet held on to become the first second division side to advance to the knockout stage of the continental showpiece. 

Group H: Melbourne suffer setback after Zhejiang stalemate

Tue, 12 Dec, 2023

Group H: Melbourne suffer setback after Zhejiang stalemate

Melbourne: A late goal from Nyasha Mushekwi saw Zhejiang FC grab a last gasp 1-1 draw at Melbourne City in the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 in the final Group H tie at Princes Park on Tuesday.

After a goalless first half, German midfielder Tolgay Arslan opened the scoring shortly before the hour before Mushekwi’s stoppage time leveller for the Chinese club. A dramatic conclusion to the tie also saw Zhejiang down to 10-men after Wang Dongsheng’s dismissal.

Group I: Ulsan through after draw with Kawasaki

Tue, 12 Dec, 2023

Group I: Ulsan through after draw with Kawasaki

Ulsan: Martin Adam scored twice as Ulsan Hyundai came back from two goals down to secure a 2-2 draw with a much-changed Kawasaki Frontale at Ulsan Munsu Stadium as Hong Myung-bo’s side squeezed into the last 16 of the AFC Champions League™ 2023-24 on Tuesday.

Daiya Tono and Tatsuki Seko had given Kawasaki, who had already sealed top spot in Group I, a two-goal lead by the 31st minute but Adam reduced the deficit from close range in the 44th minute before equalising with a penalty eight minutes into the second half.

The result ended Kawasaki’s run of consecutive wins in this year’s competition while Ulsan moved onto 10 points from their six games to claim one of the three best runners-up berths in the Round of 16 following Melbourne City’s earlier draw with Zhejiang FC.

Group I: Johor Darul Ta’zim turn on the style

Wed, 13 Dec, 2023

Group I: Johor Darul Ta’zim turn on the style

Johor Bahru: A Bergson da Silva brace inspired Johor Darul Ta'zim to a 4-1 comeback win over Thailand's BG Pathum United in their final Group I match in the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 on Tuesday.

The result meant that JDT ended their campaign with nine points while BG Pathum finished with six defeats.

Player to Watch: Takefusa Kubo (Japan)

Tue, 12 Dec, 2023

Player to Watch: Takefusa Kubo (Japan)

Kuala Lumpur: Takefusa Kubo burst onto the global football scene with bags of potential and the 22-year-old Japanese winger has been truly delivering on that promise in recent times. 

After guiding Real Sociedad to a fourth-place finish in La Liga and helping them qualify for the UEFA Champions League during his debut campaign, Kubo has maintained his fine form for the Basque club by weighing in with goals and assists in the Spanish top flight so far this season. 
 
Kubo's impressive numbers will be music to the ears of Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu as the Samurai Blue look to go one step further at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ after finishing as runners-up at the 2019 edition.

Europe Wrap: Son shines for Spurs

Tue, 12 Dec, 2023

Europe Wrap: Son shines for Spurs

Kuala Lumpur: Captain Son Heung-min came up with a goal and two assists to help Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham Hotspur bounce back from a four-match winless run by beating Newcastle United 4-1 on Sunday while his compatriot Hwang Hee-chan also netted in England earlier in the week. 

Takefusa Kubo bagged a goal and an assist in Real Sociedad’s 3-0 win against Villarreal on Saturday, taking his tally to six goals and three assists in Spain this season, while Australian midfielder Jackson Irvine was again on the scoresheet for FC St Pauli in the German second division. 
 
Philippines winger Gerrit Holtmann scored his first goal in Turkey since his loan move to Antalyaspor while Hong Hyun-seok was on the mark for Gent in Belgium, so join the-AFC.com as we look at how the Asian stars performed in Europe over the past week. 

#U20WAC draw to set stage for eagerly anticipated Uzbekistan 2024

Tue, 28 Nov, 2023

#U20WAC draw to set stage for eagerly anticipated Uzbekistan 2024

Kuala Lumpur: The final cast of the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2024 will discover their Group Stage opponents on Friday, December 15, 3pm during the official Final Draw ceremony at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur.

Eight teams will feature at the 11th edition of the tournament, which is set to be hosted by Uzbekistan for the first time and scheduled to run from March 3 to 16, 2024.