Preliminary Round 2: The Contenders

Mon, 14 Aug, 2023

Preliminary Round 2: The Contenders

Kuala Lumpur: The anticipation is building around AFC Cup™ 2023-24 as 10 teams from across Asia are gearing up for five one-legged Preliminary Round 2 ties starting on Tuesday with the aim of moving a step closer to a place in the continental competition.

The qualification action began on August 8 when Nepal’s Machhindra FC came from behind to defeat Bhutan’s Paro FC 3-2 in the only Preliminary Round 1 match in Kathmandu and moved on to the next stage where they are now joined by nine other contenders battling for places in the playoffs. 
 
Ahead of the upcoming gamess, join the-AFC.com as we look at the 10 sides from the South, Central and ASEAN zones who will take to the pitch in the coming days. 

Preliminary Round: Know Your Teams (East)

Mon, 14 Aug, 2023

Preliminary Round: Know Your Teams (East)

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Champions League™ 2023-24 gets underway on Tuesday as 10 sides from across the continent compete in the one-legged preliminary round, bidding to move a step closer towards the group stage of Asia’s most prestigious club competition.

Excitement is growing as the tournament nears because, for the first time since the beginning of the 2020 campaign and the onset of COVID-19, the AFC Champions League’s group stage is set to return to its home-and-away format.
 
For the teams in the preliminary round, that remains two wins away. Ahead of the upcoming fixtures, the-AFC.com profiles the four teams from the East side of the draw aiming to clear the first hurdle.

Preliminary Round: Know Your Teams (West)

Mon, 14 Aug, 2023

Preliminary Round: Know Your Teams (West)

Riyadh: The AFC Champions League™ 2023-24 gets underway on Tuesday as 10 sides from across the continent compete in the one-legged preliminary round, bidding to move a step closer towards the group stage of Asia’s most prestigious club competition.

Excitement is growing ahead of the upcoming edition as, for the first time since the beginning of the 2020 campaign and the onset of Covid-19, the AFC Champions League’s group stage is set to return to its home-and-away format.
 
For the teams in the preliminary round, that remains two wins away. Ahead of the upcoming fixtures, the-AFC.com profiles the six sides from the West side of the draw aiming to clear the first hurdle.

East Asia Wrap: Vissel and Marinos remain level; Gangwon stun Ulsan

Mon, 14 Aug, 2023

East Asia Wrap: Vissel and Marinos remain level; Gangwon stun Ulsan

Hong Kong: Yuya Osako scored his 17th goal of the ongoing campaign in Japan with a brilliant free-kick as leaders Vissel Kobe remained level on points with defending champions Yokohama F. Marinos following their 1-0 win over last season’s runners-up Kawasaki Frontale on Saturday. 

In a battle between two sides at the opposite ends of the table in Korea Republic, it was relegation battlers Gangwon who emerged as 2-0 winners over leaders and reigning champions Ulsan Hyundai on Sunday, but second-placed Pohang Steelers stay 11 points behind Hong Myung-bo's side after a 1-1 draw with Gwangju FC. 
 
In China PR, Zhejiang Professional overcame Shanghai Port 4-3 on Saturday inflicting only a second defeat of the season on the league leaders while there were also matches taking place in Guam, so join the-AFC.com as we review the week’s action from East Asia.

Central & South Asia Wrap: Pakhtakor take the lead, Arkadag remain perfect

Mon, 14 Aug, 2023

Central & South Asia Wrap: Pakhtakor take the lead, Arkadag remain perfect

Tashkent: Pakhtakor claimed an impressive win against closest rivals Navabhor to climb to the top of the table in Uzbekistan while Abdish-Ata continued to lead the way in the Kyrgyz Premier League.

Arkadag’s winning run in the Turkmenistan Higher League continued, securing their ninth straight win of the season while over in Tajikistan, Istiklol produced a stirring come back to secure three massive points.

In the South, Transport United reigned supreme in Bhutan, Maziya and Eagles featured in a top of the table clash in Maldives and there were also matches in the Durand Cup in India, so join the-AFC.com as we round up the action from the past week.

Gustavsson: Australia destined for greater heights

Sun, 13 Aug, 2023

Gustavsson: Australia destined for greater heights

Brisbane: Head coach Tony Gustavsson is confident Australia can create more history following their 7-6 penalty shootout victory against France in their FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 quarter-final on Saturday.

The Matildas showed perseverance and outlasted a resilient France side at the Brisbane Stadium to seal a first appearance in the semi-finals.

Arnold credits instincts for penalty heroics

Sun, 13 Aug, 2023

Arnold credits instincts for penalty heroics

Brisbane: Australia’s Mackenzie Arnold revealed that it was gut instincts that helped her game against France in the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 on Saturday.

The goalkeeper was the hero, producing three saves to help the Matildas to a 7-6 penalty shootout win over France and into a semi-final showdown against European champions England.

England looking forward to 'huge' clash with Matildas

Sun, 13 Aug, 2023

England looking forward to 'huge' clash with Matildas

Sydney: England say they are relishing playing in front of what promises to be a partisan 80,000 home crowd in their FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 semi-final against co-hosts Australia on Wednesday.

The European champions had a taste of what awaits when they fought back from a goal down to beat Colombia 2-1 on Saturday during what felt like a home game for the well-supported South Americans.
 
The Lionesses will be back at the imposing Stadium Australia in Sydney on Wednesday with both teams attempting to win the Women's World Cup for the first time.
 
Alessia Russo scored the winner in the 63rd minute against a physical Colombia and the Arsenal forward said she had enjoyed playing in front of a hostile crowd.