Third-Place Playoff: Nine-man Al Hilal fall to Al Ahly

Sat, 12 Feb, 2022

Third-Place Playoff: Nine-man Al Hilal fall to Al Ahly

Abu Dhabi: Nine-man Al Hilal SFC ended their FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2021 campaign in fourth place following a 4-0 defeat against CAF Champions League winners Al Ahly of Egypt at Al Nahyan Stadium on Saturday.

January signing Mohammed Al Owais conceded his first goal in Al Hilal colours just eight minutes into his debut after Tunisian left-back Ali Maaloul whipped a cross into the far post that was met by a header from defender Yasser Ibrahim to give Al Ahly an early lead.

UAE and van Marwijk part ways

Sat, 12 Feb, 2022

UAE and van Marwijk part ways

Dubai: The UAE Football Association announced on Saturday the departure of men’s national team head coach Bert van Marwijk and the technical team.

The 69-year-old Dutchman was shown the door with two matches remaining for UAE in the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar. The West Asian side are third in Group A with Islamic Republic of Iran and Korea Republic having already booked their places to the Finals.  

Maatouk to helm Syria

Fri, 11 Feb, 2022

Maatouk to helm Syria

Damascus: The Syrian Football Association has announced the appointment of Ghassan Maatouk as head coach of the men's national team. 

Maatouk will be tasked with leading Syria in their remaining AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar Group A matches against Lebanon and Iraq in March. Maatouk, 44, replaces Romanian Valeriu Tita.

Shahad takes charge of Iraq

Fri, 11 Feb, 2022

Shahad takes charge of Iraq

Baghdad:  Abdul Ghani Shahad has been named as the new head coach of the Iraq men’s national team.

The 53-year-old replaces Montenegrin Zeljko Petrovic following Iraq’s poor results in Group A of the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar.

IR Iran stay top in latest FIFA Rankings

Fri, 11 Feb, 2022

IR Iran stay top in latest FIFA Rankings

Kuala Lumpur: Islamic Republic of Iran have maintained their position as Asia’s top team, sitting in 21st spot in the latest FIFA World Rankings released on Thursday. 

Team Melli were the first Asian team to confirm their spot in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 after beating Iraq on Matchday Seven of the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar with Dragan Skocic’s side having won seven and drawn one of their eight matches en route to qualifying impressively.

Esteghlal snap up Uzbekistan’s Amonov

Fri, 11 Feb, 2022

Esteghlal snap up Uzbekistan’s Amonov

Tehran: Iran Pro League leaders FC Esteghlal have strengthened their bid for a first league title since 2013, securing the services of Uzbekistan international Azizbek Amonov on Friday.

The former PFC Lokomotiv midfielder joins the club on a two-and-a-half-year deal and follows Rudy Gestede and Arthur Yamga in joining Farhad Majidi’s squad this season.

Central Asian futsal’s next generation set to shine at CAFA U19 Championship

Fri, 11 Feb, 2022

Central Asian futsal’s next generation set to shine at CAFA U19 Championship

Bishkek: Future stars will emerge as Kyrgyz Republic plays host to Central Asia’s brightest futsal talents at the CAFA U19 Futsal Championship, starting Saturday.

Five teams will battle for regional bragging rights over five Matchdays at Bishkek’s Gazprom Arena, with every CAFA Member Association except for Turkmenistan taking part in the inaugural U19 event.
 
Played on a round-robin basis, the tournament will not only provide a platform for the region’s next generation of senior internationals but deliver competitive preparation for regional and continental competitions to come over the next two years.