Inter-Zone SF - Preview: FK Abdysh-Ata Kant (KGZ) v Taichung Futuro FC (TPE)

Wed, 06 Mar, 2024

Inter-Zone SF - Preview: FK Abdysh-Ata Kant (KGZ) v Taichung Futuro FC (TPE)

Bishkek: FK Abdysh-Ata Kant will not make the mistake of understimating Taichung Futuro FC when the two sides meet in the first leg of their AFC Cup™ 2023/24 Inter-Zone semi-final on Wednesday.

Kyrgyz Republic's Abdysh-Ata were in phenomenal form in the group stage, winning all their home matches but head coach Islam Akhmedov said he will warn his players against complacency when facing their opponents from Chinese Taipei. 

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_cup/video/afccup_-_preview_inter-zone_semi-finals.html

Akhmedov confident Abdysh-Ata Kant will progress

Mon, 04 Mar, 2024

Akhmedov confident Abdysh-Ata Kant will progress

Bishkek: Head coach Islam Akhmedov will have a well prepared squad at his disposal when FK Abdysh-Ata Kant take on Taichung Futuro in the first leg of their AFC Cup™ 2023/24 Inter-Zone semi-final on Wednesday.

The two sides meet in Bishkek, with the return leg a week later. The winners will face either Australia’s Central Coast Mariners or Odisha FC of India in the Inter-Zone final.

Pen: Taichung Futuro living a dream

Mon, 04 Mar, 2024

Pen: Taichung Futuro living a dream

Gaoxiong: Their domestic season may not have started but that won’t stop Taichung Futuro from reaching for the stars in the AFC Cup™ 2023/24 Inter-Zone semi-finals. 

The Chinese Taipei side face Kyrgyz Republic’s Abdysh-Ata Kant, with head coach Pen Wu-shung’s side travelling to Bishkek for Wednesday’s first leg.

Fall: Odisha will always fight and give our best for the nation

Tue, 05 Mar, 2024

Fall: Odisha will always fight and give our best for the nation

Bhubaneswar: It was Mourtada Fall’s header which helped Odisha FC win their final group stage match to become the AFC Cup™ 2023/24 South Zone champions.

The Indian Super League (ISL) side knew that only a victory would help them overtake their opponents Bashundhara Kings to top spot in Group D and Fall, a rock at the back for his side, this time delivered at the other end of the pitch.

Nisbet optimistic Mariners can go all the way

Tue, 05 Mar, 2024

Nisbet optimistic Mariners can go all the way

Gosford: The heartbeat of the Central Coast Mariners side, Joshua Nisbet has been crucial for his team this season as they continue to march forward in the AFC Cup™ 2023/24.

The 24-year-old has caught the eye by pulling the strings in midfield for the Mariners as they recently became the winners of the ASEAN Zone after defeating Australian rivals Macarthur FC 3-2 and are now set to take on India's Odisha FC in the Inter-Zone semi-finals.

Inter-Zone Semi-finals: Ones to Watch

Fri, 01 Mar, 2024

Inter-Zone Semi-finals: Ones to Watch

Kuala Lumpur: Four clubs representing four different countries will battle for their place in the next round of the AFC Cup™ 2023/24 when the first legs of the Inter-Zone semi-finals take place on March 6 and 7.

Kyrgyz Republic’s FK Abdysh-Ata Kant and Taichung Futuro FC of Chinese Taipei will face off in the first of the semi-final ties on Wednesday while Australia's Central Coast Mariners will take on India’s Odisha FC a day later.  
 
Ahead of the crunch match-ups, the-AFC.com takes a look at the players who could decide the fortunes of their respective sides.

Crespo urges Al Ain to stay focused; Al Nassr's Castro not giving up

Tue, 05 Mar, 2024

Crespo urges Al Ain to stay focused; Al Nassr's Castro not giving up

Al Ain: Hernan Crespo has reminded his players that the job is only half done after Al Ain defeated Al Nassr 1-0 in their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 quarter-final first leg tie on Monday. 

Soufiane Rahimi’s 44th minute strike separated the sides at the end of 90 minutes but Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr had their fair share of chances and Crespo knows the return leg will be a tough challenge for his side. 

Europe Wrap: Sano fires NEC into cup final; Helal nets brace in Czech Republic

Tue, 05 Mar, 2024

Europe Wrap: Sano fires NEC into cup final; Helal nets brace in Czech Republic

Kuala Lumpur: Koki Ogawa equalised to take the Dutch Cup semi-final into extra time where his Japanese compatriot Kodai Sano emerged as NEC Nijmegen’s hero by scoring the winner to help the club edge Cambuur 2-1 on Tuesday and reach the final for the first time in 24 years.

Bahrain striker Abdulla Yusuf Helal bagged a quickfire double for FK Mlada Boleslav in their comeback win against SK Dynamo Ceske Budejovice in Czech Republic while Son Heung-min was on target to seal Tottenham Hotspur's 3-1 defeat of Crystal Palace in England on Saturday. 
 
Nepal’s Sabitra Bhandari netted her first goal in France, Uzbekistan’s Rustam Ashurmatov scored a last-gasp leveller for Rubin Kazan in Russia and Syria’s Ammar Ramadan was on the scoresheet in Slovakia, so join the-AFC.com as we find out how the Asian stars performed in Europe over the past week. 

Hat-trick hero Matsukubo expects more from Japan

Tue, 05 Mar, 2024

Hat-trick hero Matsukubo expects more from Japan

Tashkent: Manaka Matsukubo believes there is more to come from Japan following their emphatic 10-0 win over Vietnam in Group B of the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2024 on Monday.

The North Carolina Courage forward starred with a hat-trick for the six-time AFC U19 Women’s Championship winners and with her appetite whetted, wants Japan to aim even higher in their remaining group matches against China PR and DPR Korea. 

Kim seeks calmer DPR Korea in upcoming matches

Mon, 04 Mar, 2024

Kim seeks calmer DPR Korea in upcoming matches

Tashkent: Kim Song-gyong is confident DPR Korea will show improvement in their upcoming matches after they began their AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2024 campaign with a 1-1 draw against China PR on Monday.

Kim gave DPR Korea the lead in the 84th minute with a wonderful left foot strike after Chae Un-yong set her up at the edge of the box, with the 19-year-old midfielder saying she had been confident of finding the back of the net.