Preview - S-final: Flamengo (BRA) v Al Hilal SFC (KSA)

Mon, 06 Feb, 2023

Preview - S-final: Flamengo (BRA) v Al Hilal SFC (KSA)

Tangiers: Al Hilal SFC will feature in the semi-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup for the third time in four years when they take on Brazil's Flamengo on Tuesday.

The reigning AFC Champions League™ holders, however, won't be satisfied with just a last four appearance as they seek to make the final for the first time.

Cool Al Juwayr stars as Al Hilal stay on course

Sun, 05 Feb, 2023

Cool Al Juwayr stars as Al Hilal stay on course

Rabat: Al Hilal SFC are on course to surpass their previous best at the FIFA Club World Cup and they owe their place in the semi-finals to 19-year-old Musab Al Juwayr.

Al Juwayr, making just his 21st senior appearance, showed nerves of steel to convert Al Hilal's final spot-kick in their 5-3 penalty shootout win over CAF Champions League winners Wydad AC in their Morocco 2022 second round tie on Saturday.
 
Al Hilal had earlier clawed their way back from the jaws of defeat through a Mohamed Kanno spot-kick in the fourth minute of added time to force extra-time, with the tie ending 1-1. 

Al Hilal edge Wydad on penalties to book last four spot

Sun, 05 Feb, 2023

Al Hilal edge Wydad on penalties to book last four spot

Rabat: Al Hilal SFC advanced to the FIFA Club World Cup Morocco 2022 semi-finals after edging Wydad AC 5-3 on penalties after their second round tie ended 1-1 over 120 minutes on Saturday.

Reigning AFC Champions League™ holders Al Hilal had to do it the hard way, with Mohamed Kanno forcing the tie into extra-time and then penalties after netting the equaliser deep in added time, with the player subsequently shown the red card in an enthralling tie. 
 
Saudi Arabian champions Al Hilal will face Flamengo of Brazil in the last four as they bid to advance to the final after finishing fourth twice.

Arnold determined to leave Australia a lasting legacy

Mon, 06 Feb, 2023

Arnold determined to leave Australia a lasting legacy

Sydney: Graham Arnold has given himself a new mission: not only will he look to guide Australia to AFC Asian Cup™ success and the Finals of another FIFA World Cup, the 59-year-old intends to leave a lasting legacy that establishes football as his nation’s leading sport.

Arnold last week extended his tenure at Socceroos’ helm for another three-and-a-half years after steering the team to the Round of 16 in Qatar last year, although he now also has his sights set on longer-term goals for the game.

Hwang Ui-jo joins FC Seoul

Mon, 06 Feb, 2023

Hwang Ui-jo joins FC Seoul

Seoul: Korea Republic international striker Hwang Ui-jo has joined FC Seoul on loan from Nottingham Forest, the K League 1 club has announced.

The 30-year-old, who was a member of the Korean squad that reached the Round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, has returned to his homeland on a five-month loan deal after a disappointing spell in Greece with Olympiacos.

Transfer Wrap: Big names on the move (West)

Thu, 02 Feb, 2023

Transfer Wrap: Big names on the move (West)

Dubai: The end of January concluded one of the most exciting winter transfer windows in recent times across the world, and Asian football was no exception.

Whether it was replacing injured players, plugging defensive gaps, or boosting their squads ahead of a title charge or a relegation battle, clubs in West Asia were busy throughout the month. The-AFC.com looks at some of the key moves across the region this winter.

Transfer Wrap: Big names on the move (ASEAN & East)

Thu, 02 Feb, 2023

Transfer Wrap: Big names on the move (ASEAN & East)

Kuala Lumpur: It’s been a busy month in the world of transfers across Asia with big names swapping clubs domestically as well as moving between countries and continents. 

With a number of clubs signing players ahead of the kick-off to their 2023 campaigns and others looking to bolster their squads mid-season, the-AFC.com highlights some of the most notable moves involving teams from the East and ASEAN regions in recent weeks. 

SAFF ready to stage a spectacular AFC Asian Cup 2027™

Thu, 02 Feb, 2023

SAFF ready to stage a spectacular AFC Asian Cup 2027™

Manama: The 33rd AFC Congress confirmed the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) as the Host Association of the AFC Asian Cup 2027™ in the capital city of Bahrain yesterday.

Having being crowned champions of Asia on three different occasions (1984, 1988, 1996), Saudi Arabia are also among the most successful teams to have ever participated in the flagship contest.