Preview: Bengaluru FC, Club Eagles face off for final AFC Cup group stage slot

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Preview: Bengaluru FC, Club Eagles face off for final AFC Cup group stage slot

Male: India's Bengaluru FC and Club Eagles of Maldives square off at the National Stadium in Male on Sunday for the sole remaining ticket to the 2021 AFC Cup group stage.

The playoff, initially scheduled to be played in May, was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic with Sunday's winners advancing to Group D of the 2021 AFC Cup.

Both teams have already seen action in the 2021 AFC Cup with Club Eagles advancing to the playoff following a 2-0 win over Bhutan's Thimphu FC in the preliminary round while Bengaluru scored an emphatic 5-0 victory over Nepal's Tribhuvan Army in April.

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/afc_cup_2021_-_club_eagles_mdv_vs_thimphu_city_fc_bhu.html

Bashundhara Kings' Bruzon braced for tough AFC Cup campaign

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Bashundhara Kings' Bruzon braced for tough AFC Cup campaign

Dhaka: Bashundhara Kings head coach Oscar Bruzon is expecting the South Zone of the 2021 AFC Cup to be a tight affair with the Bangladesh champions to kick off their campaign against Maziya Sports & Recreation of Maldives on Wednesday.

Bashundhara Kings easily retained the Bangladesh Premier League title last week but Bruzon, while determined to see his side thrive in the AFC Cup, is not expecting any easy matches in Male.

Williams confident of ATK Mohun Bagan's AFC Cup chances

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Williams confident of ATK Mohun Bagan's AFC Cup chances

Kolkata: ATK Mohun Bagan striker David Williams is confident the Indian Super League club will go far in the 2021 AFC Cup ahead of their Group D challenge kicking off on Wednesday.

ATK Mohun Bagan arrived in the Maldives on Saturday, with the South Zone matches to be played in Male, after two weeks of intensive preparations and Williams said they are looking forward to the campaign.

Williams, who recently extended his contract for a third season, will be expected to lead from the front but the Australian said he was unfazed by the expectations.

Korea Republic's Kim Min-jae joins Fenerbahce

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Korea Republic's Kim Min-jae joins Fenerbahce

Istanbul: Korea Republic international defender Kim Min-jae has joined Fenerbahce, the Turkish club announced on Friday.

The 24-year-old was unveiled on social media by the Istanbul-based outfit after signing from Chinese Super League side Beijing FC.

Vote for your best 2021 AFC Champions League Group Stage Team: Defenders

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Vote for your best 2021 AFC Champions League Group Stage Team: Defenders

Kuala Lumpur: The return of the 2021 AFC Champions League is just a month away, but before this season's Continental campaign resumes, the-AFC.com continues its quest to find out who the fans consider the Best XI from this year's Group Stage.

Last week we presented the candidates for the 2021 Group Stage's best goalkeeper, and now we shine the spotlight on the players who will make up the backline.

So, here are the 12 players in contention for the four places in defence. Review the nominees and then choose your favourite defenders for this all-star XI in the respective polls.

2021 AFC Champions League Group Stage – 5 of the Best: Solo Goals

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

2021 AFC Champions League Group Stage – 5 of the Best: Solo Goals

Kuala Lumpur: The-AFC.com's '5 of the Best' spotlight on 2021 AFC Champions League Group Stage action this week highlights goals that are far more about the individual than the collective. 

It was all about the team last week in our round up of great 2021 AFC Champions League Group Stage goals, but this week we recall five solo goals where players have taken matters into their own hands and produced a moment of individual brilliance.

After reviewing these five fantastic finishes, vote for your favourite at the bottom of the article.

Hai: Solid defence crucial for Vietnam's Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar campaign

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Hai: Solid defence crucial for Vietnam's Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar campaign

Hanoi: With some of the continent's best teams in the fray, Vietnam are leaving no stone unturned in ensuring they are fully prepared for their AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar campaign.

Drawn in Group B with Japan, Australia, Saudi Arabia, China PR and Oman, centre-back Que Ngoc Hai said Vietnam will have to be defensively resolute against Asia's best sides.