Skorza expects wiser Urawa to bounce back against Al Ahly

Wed, 20 Dec, 2023

Skorza expects wiser Urawa to bounce back against Al Ahly

Jeddah: Head coach Maciej Skorza said Urawa Red Diamonds will learn from their FIFA Club World Cup Saudi Arabia 2023 semi-final defeat to Manchester City to bounce in the third place play-off against Egypt’s Al Ahly on Friday.

European champions City were frustrated by the well-organised Japanese side during the opening half but took the lead through Marius Hoibraten’s own goal in stoppage time, before Mateo Kovacic and Bernardo Silva each got their names on the scoresheet to book a place in the final against Brazil’s Fluminense.

Player to Watch: Akram Afif (Qatar)

Wed, 20 Dec, 2023

Player to Watch: Akram Afif (Qatar)

Kuala Lumpur: Qatar’s prospects in international football for nearly a decade have been intricately linked with how Akram Afif fares for the Maroons – such has been the influence of the 27-year-old winger who will look to replicate the magic of 2019 at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™.

In the 18th edition of the continental showpiece, Qatar will be defending their maiden title and also have the added weight of expectation as the hosts. There's also a new man in charge, Marquez Lopez, who replaced Carlos Queiroz this month and is their third head coach in under a year. 
 
But several members of the 2019 squad still remain as the mainstays of the team, including captain Hassan Al Haydos, Boualem Khoukhi, Almoez Ali, Bassam Al Rawi and, of course, Afif who registered a tournament record 10 assists during Qatar’s continental conquest four years ago. 

Urawa's hopes dashed by Manchester City

Wed, 20 Dec, 2023

Urawa's hopes dashed by Manchester City

Jeddah: Manchester City stormed to a 3-0 victory over three-time AFC Champions League™ winners Urawa Red Diamonds in the semi-final of the FIFA Club World Cup Saudi Arabia 2023 at King Abdullah Sports City on Tuesday.

The English side set up a Friday date in the final with Copa Libertadores champions Fluminense after the Brazilians defeated Egypt’s Al Ahly 2-0 on Tuesday while Urawa will look to collect their second bronze medal in the competition after 2007 when they face the CAF Champions League winners in the earlier Friday kick-off.

Semi-Automated Offside Technology to debut at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™

Mon, 18 Dec, 2023

Semi-Automated Offside Technology to debut at AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™

Kuala Lumpur: Match officials at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ will be able to enhance their decision-making process with the Semi-Automated Offside Technology (SAOT) system, which will be implemented at all 51 matches of the tournament.

This marks the first time that SAOT will be in place at an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) competition and makes the AFC the first Confederation in world football to apply the system at the Continental Men’s national team level, which further underscores the AFC’s commitment towards improving accuracy and integrity of decision-making by its match officials.

Player to Watch: Oday Dabbagh (Palestine)

Tue, 19 Dec, 2023

Player to Watch: Oday Dabbagh (Palestine)

Kuala Lumpur:  Within eight years of making his professional debut with his hometown club Hilal Alquds, Oday Dabbagh has already written his name in the conversation for the honour of Palestine’s greatest-ever footballing product.

Just like Jordan’s Musa Al Taamari, Dabbagh went from scoring goals in the AFC Cup™ to playing in top European leagues and carrying the hopes of his nation ahead of the AFC Asian Cup™ Qatar 2023.

Europe Wrap: Kim opens Bayern account; Taremi sends Porto through

Tue, 19 Dec, 2023

Europe Wrap: Kim opens Bayern account; Taremi sends Porto through

Kuala Lumpur: Kim Min-jae scored his first goal in Germany as reigning champions Bayern Munich defeated VfB Stuttgart 3-0 on Sunday and the Korea Republic ace also starred in the Bavarians’ 1-0 win at Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League earlier in the week. 

Mehdi Taremi was among the scorers for FC Porto as they posted a crucial 5-3 victory against Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday which sent them through to the UEFA Champions League last 16 where they will now face Premier League side Arsenal. 
 
Matildas skipper Sam Kerr was on target for Chelsea in England, Bahrain’s Abdulla Yusuf Helal netted in the Czech Republic and Uzbekistan youngster Abdukodir Khusanov put in a solid shift in France, so join the-AFC.com as we find out how the Asian stars performed in Europe over the past week. 

Veterans power Fluminense into final

Tue, 19 Dec, 2023

Veterans power Fluminense into final

Jeddah: Fluminense head coach Fernando Diniz credited his side's experience for riding out an Al Ahly storm to reach the final of the FIFA Club World Cup Saudi Arabia 2023 with a 2-0 win on Monday.

Two goals in the final 20 minutes in Jeddah by Jhon Arias, from the penalty spot, and then John Kennedy carried the Brazilians into Friday's final against European Champions League winners Manchester City or Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds.